July 19, 2019
WASHINGTON — Following is the statement of Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, regarding racist statements that are roiling the public dialogue, incited by recent remarks by the administration regarding four freshwomen members of Congress who are minorities:
“Statements such as, ‘Go back where you came from’ or ‘Send her back’ can cause pervasive harm to the health and mental health of people of color across the nation. Psychological science has demonstrated that racism can cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma. Racism has been shown to have negative cognitive and behavioral effects on both children and adults and to increase anxiety, depression, self-defeating thoughts and avoidance behaviors. I personally understand the harmful impact of such statements and implore my fellow citizens to think carefully before they speak because words have measurable consequences. This is not who we are as Americans.”