Q1: How will you assure APA constituents, the general public and the international community that APA is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards?
In this critical time for APA, we need a president who will lead us forward. For 10 years, I pursued the truth regarding APA's collusion supporting the military's abusive interrogations and co-led the fight to remove psychologists from all national security interrogations and from Guantanamo. APA must rebuild its reputation worldwide: The European Federation of Psychologists' Associations expressed "deep shock" and Nature referred to our "deal with the devil." If elected, I will provide a recognized, trusted voice and strive to assure members, the public and the international community of APA's renewed commitment to prioritizing transparency, ethics and human rights.
Q2: How would you promote communication and outreach to communities of color in response to domestic and international human rights and social justice issues?
For decades, I've worked with and learned from clinicians of color in East Africa, Israel/Palestine, Kosovo and domestically to address trauma arising from political violence. At APA, we must listen to our own psychologists of color and their associations to understand how best to effect social change. My presidential initiative, Alternatives at APA, will cultivate and support leadership among a new, diverse generation of psychologists, including student affiliates of color. Together we can speak to the psychosocial effects of racism, violence, mass incarceration and undocumented status on families, communities and the nation, tapping APA's resources to promote alternatives.
