WASHINGTON — Following is a statement by Frank C. Worrell, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
“It has been more than half a century since Dr. King addressed the American Psychological Association at its annual convention, calling on psychologists to use their research to help change a society ‘poisoned to its soul by racism.’ Although psychologists have made strides toward understanding the causes and consequences of racism and prejudice, the events of the last two years serve as a solemn reminder that much work is yet to be done.
“As the science that examines human behavior, psychology has great potential to address racism and racial disparities, but psychology cannot help to disarm and dismantle racism without first acknowledging the historical role played in perpetuating that harm.
“To that end, APA took the historic step last year of formally apologizing for promoting, perpetuating and failing to challenge racism and discrimination toward communities of color and for contributing to systemic inequities. This is in keeping with Dr. King’s admonishment that ‘There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.’
“Apologies must be accompanied by action, however. Thus, APA has begun to work internally by launching a comprehensive audit of its equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives focused on race and ethnicity, as well as other antiracism-related activities. This audit will suggest future actions to be taken alongside the implementation of other steps outlined in two other resolutions passed by our Council of Representatives.
“Although psychology can offer solutions, there are centuries of harm and trauma that will require our collective action to dismantle. There are no quick fixes. We are firmly committed as a discipline to creating strategies focused on eradicating racism and the institutions that support it. We cannot become complacent.
“In his 1967 address to APA, Dr. King warned, ‘We must never adjust ourselves to racial discrimination and racial segregation. We must never adjust ourselves to religious bigotry. We must never adjust ourselves to economic conditions that take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few.’
“But, as Dr. King also said, ‘I have not lost hope.’ I, too, remain hopeful that psychologists can rise to Dr. King’s challenge to ‘suggest mechanisms to create a wholesome Black unity … [and] reaffirm our belief in building a democratic society.’”