“Home is not where we live. It’s where we belong.”
—Nigerian proverb
As an African American woman, I am keenly aware of the importance of attending to both solidarity and intersectionality—holding more than one marginalized identity affected by interdependent systems of oppression. Many of us hold multiple marginalized identities that shape our experiences but also provide us rich cultural resources.
Following APA’s apology for the role psychology has played in structural racism in 2021, this year begins our implementation of changes with significant new funding approved by the Council of Representatives. Alongside our efforts on racial equity, APA has been vocal in addressing maternal health disparities and reproductive rights. We have hosted national conversations on these topics, lobbied for increased federal funding, and adopted new resolutions to support these rights.
While we work toward racial and gender equity, and toward eliminating other forms of oppression such as ableism, heterosexism, and religious intolerance, we must be careful not to engage in the “oppression Olympics,” where addressing one form of oppression is seen as a threat to addressing other forms of oppression. Oppression is an interlocking web. The path to liberation is intersectional.
In this critical hour, our call is to stand in solidarity. We must commit ourselves to moving not only from avoidance to awareness but from awareness to active antioppression, professionally and personally. Our commitments cannot be only in our heart or words; they must also be in sustained action. This stance requires humility and courage.
As a teacher of multicultural psychology, I’m continuously learning to bear witness to the complexity of people’s lives. When we are not open to learning from others, we block the progression of the field. We must learn from each other, including those who hold different identities and those who have diverse professional orientations.
Along with the humility required for lifelong learning, we must have the courage to commit to antioppression. We must be intentional about cultivating antioppression and liberation-oriented approaches within our field. For those who wonder if commitments to combating oppression are unprofessional, look at the thoughtful and rigorous scholarship of feminist, African-centered, liberation, and community psychology, among many others. Also, review APA’s guidelines on the ethical mandate of acknowledging and addressing oppression.
Let’s commit to advocating for our individual communities and to actively working toward the liberation of all people. We get home, together.
