We are witnessing and experiencing systematic racism and bias. As a marginalized community we are feeling anger, frustrations and we are traumatized. Change will come and the revolution will be televised.
Our role is to empower people and communities, respect the dignity and worth of a person and in doing so we nurture the soul and provide healing. This is a human rights issue and not a black lives matter issue.
Conversations about race and indifference's need to be discussed within our profession. We need to help each other change the narrative in our minds about each other and to fully understand what it means to be “black in America” and what it means to be “white in America.”
While in college I took a humanities class that focused on intersectionality and oppression. The course curriculum included the following reading material White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh. The professor conducted a small checklist experiment. I think I was the only black woman in the class, a few latinas and the majority were white middle class women. It became transparent as we proceeded with the experiment, how challenging it was for me to access resources. A privilege my white counterparts did not have to experience. Their "whiteness" protected them from many kinds of hostility, distress, and violence. My interlocking oppression of being a black woman, a lesbian and my social environment created a disparity and alienated me.
This experiment was intense and in that moment my lack of privilege, power, and difference could not be any clearer. At the time, it hurt to see where I stood. However, I knew I was not going to be there for long. Today, I am still black, I am still a lesbian, my community still lacks resources. I am still trying to escape the harsh realities of our very own existence. Here I am, still standing and still no progress. So, I dare to ask the simplest question.. are we living? Or are we surviving? We are tired of living in survival mode while others reap the rewards of freedom, liberties and the pursuit of happiness.
As educators and mental health professionals we do not see color. We see the value of a human being. We have been afforded the same level of education and we all come with our personal stories of past traumas. This is what connects us and makes us whole again.
I am hearing people on social media say our marginalized communities will need a black therapist. To help address the trauma emanating from the current events. This is not the case; we need people who do not see race or color. We need people who are willing to practice from a place of empathy, compassion, respect, love, kindness and integrity.
As mental health professionals we have the ability to see through the lens of another persons mind, body and soul and really experience and visualize their pain. To create a space for someone that lets them be exactly who they are, that lets them feel fully heard and understood even when it hurts to hear it. That is a gift that can only be given by God, It is powerful!
To help others we have to help ourselves first, It starts with mental health professionals doing their own self-discovery. So, that we can fulfill our ethical responsibilities to the people we serve. Our feedback should always come from a place of love. Love is love, it is the most important ingredient to a downward spiral of an unjust world. We didn’t create this we were born into it.
What I do know is that our profession is made of critical and analytical thinkers. We understand the pain better than any politician.
We have the knowledge and skills to help solve internal and external conflicts within others. We can make a difference by writing to the Governors and Mayors of our states on the issues that matters the most and by providing solutions to those problems. To help the human race flourish cohesively.
I have been imploring for your help for months. I am not giving up. DO YOU HEAR ME NOW!
I have so many ideas and I cannot do it alone. I am going to let this rest here. I am going to fall back on this initiative, for now. Due to the current situation, I would like to start another petition demanding that all 50 states police departments make mental health mandatory. I think we ran our course in light of all that’s going on. I will keep reposting the petition and keep it active. Please do the same.
I wish everyone luck and success in their endeavors. Thank you for your support. Peace Love and Light. Tanya LaShaun Burgos, MPA, MSW future LCSW class of 2020! Manifesting it. Go in love.
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