Cofiwch George Floyd
Psychologists for Social Change Cymru exists to speak out against injustice and discrimination. We stand in solidarity with our black friends, colleagues, families and communities in protest against the killing of George Floyd and countless others before him. These deaths represent injustice that has been present throughout our history and is still present today, including here in Wales.
We know both applied and academic psychology replicates this injustice, predominantly through a chronic lack of workforce diversity, but we are determined not to be part of the collective and systemic silencing. Endemic racism cannot continue to fester, and we recognise we all have a duty to use our position to be active in amplifying the oppressed and marginalised voices in the fields of psychology, within our research, our clinical work and society more broadly.
We condemn the disproportionate disadvantage that people of BAME heritage have faced at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this is symptomatic of the structural racism that has existed for centuries in terms of access to education, healthcare, housing and economic and political power. This systemic inequity has also meant that people of colour are over-represented as users of mental health services, and are more likely be subject to mental health act detentions, restraint and seclusions.
George Floyd’s cry of ‘I can’t breathe’ resonates now more than ever, as the pandemic takes the breath, and the lives, of so many people of BAME heritage. Our goal is to stand united, to promote connection, understanding and create a world which is more just, equal and kind -
Not just right now, but always.
Cofiwch George Floyd - Remember George Floyd
We know both applied and academic psychology replicates this injustice, predominantly through a chronic lack of workforce diversity, but we are determined not to be part of the collective and systemic silencing. Endemic racism cannot continue to fester, and we recognise we all have a duty to use our position to be active in amplifying the oppressed and marginalised voices in the fields of psychology, within our research, our clinical work and society more broadly.
We condemn the disproportionate disadvantage that people of BAME heritage have faced at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this is symptomatic of the structural racism that has existed for centuries in terms of access to education, healthcare, housing and economic and political power. This systemic inequity has also meant that people of colour are over-represented as users of mental health services, and are more likely be subject to mental health act detentions, restraint and seclusions.
George Floyd’s cry of ‘I can’t breathe’ resonates now more than ever, as the pandemic takes the breath, and the lives, of so many people of BAME heritage. Our goal is to stand united, to promote connection, understanding and create a world which is more just, equal and kind -
Not just right now, but always.
Cofiwch George Floyd - Remember George Floyd
In recognition of the harmful ways psychology contributes to this institutional and structural racism, (a few places to read about this are in a recent letter from the Minorities Group, a special issue of Clinical Psychology Forum, and Wood & Patel, 2017) and the huge impact this has on people’s experiences of health and wellbeing, education, justice and civil society - we are joining the call for a more active stance in opposing racial injustice. It is no longer enough to be “not racist”, we must be actively anti-racist.
Educate Yourself - Here is a collection of anti-racist books, podcasts, Netflix shows and more. This is a useful article on White privilege and allyship.
More ways you can help are here.
Educate Yourself - Here is a collection of anti-racist books, podcasts, Netflix shows and more. This is a useful article on White privilege and allyship.
More ways you can help are here.
What is Privilege?
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“If we think our profession is not rife with racism and discrimination we are deluded. We are comfortable and complacent, exclusive and excluding.”
Daiches Golding, Editorial to Clinical Psychology Forum, 2005
“Psychologists have too often retreated behind blanket denials that the discipline is in any way political. This defence is simply no longer credible”
Ron Roberts, 2012
Daiches Golding, Editorial to Clinical Psychology Forum, 2005
“Psychologists have too often retreated behind blanket denials that the discipline is in any way political. This defence is simply no longer credible”
Ron Roberts, 2012
We are currently creating a blog space to share our stories of racial injustice and white privilage. If you would like to contribute please email paasouthwales@gmail.com or join our whatsapp group