Equity, diversity, and inclusion monthly actions

Action: Increase your understanding of nonbinary identities

“Nonbinary” is an umbrella term referring to individuals whose gender identity does not fall within the traditional gender binary categories of man and woman. Research indicates that nonbinary populations experience disproportionate mental health concerns compared to the cisgender population. They also experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and eating concerns compared to trans men, trans women, and cisgender sexual minorities. Learn more by reading this nonbinary fact sheet (PDF, 2.8MB)opens in new window created by the Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (APA Division 44).

Action: Learn about psychology’s history of exclusion

One year ago, APA passed a trio of resolutions apologizing for its role and psychology’s contributions to racism and committing to use psychology to dismantle systemic racism and advance health equity. Part of that process involved an unvarnished look at psychology’s history of oppressive and exclusionary practices toward communities of color. Learn more by reading this historical chronology examining psychology’s contributions to the belief in racial hierarchy and the perpetuation of inequality for people of color in U.S.

Action: Learn how psychology is redefining EDI in the workplace 

The psychological science behind EDI principles is key to mitigating bias, creating psychological safety, and building environments of trust and belonging in the workplace. Research shows that not only do employees thrive in accessible, equitable, and inclusive cultures, these factors also lead to better employee performance and productivity, greater innovation, and reduced employee turnover. To learn more, watch Dr. Maysa Akbar, APA’s Chief Diversity Officer and Interim Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest, discuss how psychology is helping to redefine EDI in the workplaceopens in new window.

Action: Learn about reproductive justice

The reproductive justice movementopens in new window was started in 1994 by a group of 12 Black women to recognize and address the reproductive health needs of women of color and other groups facing marginalization and oppression in reproductive health care. Restrictions on reproductive freedom, like the abortion bans going into effect in several states, may also increase symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. To learn more, watch this briefing on The State of Reproductive Health.

Action: Embrace cultural humility

Psychologists should strive to develop and deepen their understanding, awareness, and skills on racial and ethnocultural influences across the lifespan. You can do so by embracing cultural humility—a lifelong commitment to learning, self-reflection, and challenging your own biases. Cultural humility acknowledges that identity is complex, and that each person’s experiences are unique and varied. It also requires understanding that mistakes will occur along the way and a willingness to remain open to continual learning and growth.

To learn more, read APA’s Race and Ethnicity Guidelines in Psychology: Promoting Responsiveness and Equity and Beginning the Journey of Cultural Humility.

Action: Reflect on psychology’s contributions to systemic racism

In October 2021, APA issued an apology to people of color for the harms caused by historical racism within the organization and the field of psychology. Historically, psychology accepted Whiteness as the standard or norm and presented other races as inferior, marginal, or unnatural. Many of APA’s early founders contributed to scientific inquiry and methods that perpetuated systemic racial oppression and even promoted eugenics. This acceptance of Whiteness as the norm continues to influence many conceptual models, theoretical frameworks, research, and practice within contemporary psychology. To learn more, read The Cummings Center’s chronology of psychology’s history and Jernigan and Associates’ executive summary of listening sessions on the lived experiences of psychologists of color.

Action: Learn about the pervasiveness of White privilege

Discussions of White privilege can be uncomfortable, especially in a society where colorblind racial ideologyopens in new window often obscures the realities of racism. Nonetheless, conversations about White privilege are essential to understanding how systemic racism operates. White privilege affords White people unearned power, allowing them to benefit from systemic racism. Simultaneously, communities of color are marginalized and provided inequitable access to opportunity, which limits the potential of our entire society. To learn more about this topic, listen to the Speaking of Psychology podcast episode on “The Invisibility of White Privilege” or read White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsackopens in new window by Peggy McIntosh.

Action: Consider how race and ethnicity affect your identity and place in society

Race is a social construct that is used to establish and justify systems of power and privilege in our society. We encourage you to think about your own position in relation to race and ethnicity and how it may reflect greater power dynamics related to privilege and oppression. This means evaluating how the values, norms, and behaviors associated with your own ethnic or racial identity may influence your behavior. This is particularly important if you are in a position of power within a larger system of racial privilege and oppression. Your position affects your awareness and understanding of other people’s experiences when it comes to systemic racism and racial inequity. To learn more, consult APA’s Race and Ethnicity Guidelines in Psychology: Promoting Responsiveness and Equity (PDF, 578KB)opens in new window.

Action: Build safe spaces with inclusive language

Words matter. Psychological science shows that the language people use is critically important as individuals strive to create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive world. APA’s Inclusive Language Guidelines provide the most relevant language and principles to make the spaces in which you learn, teach, work, or conduct research more inclusive and equitable. Rooted in psychological science and vetted by subject matter experts, the guidelines are comprehensive—while also designed to be flexible and iterative in nature as new scholarship and terminology emerges. Refer to APA’s inclusive language in written and oral communication.