Good Afternoon Everyone! This is Adejare! Thank you all for joining us & participating… Should you have any comments and/or feel like not speaking aloud, please feel free to do so, here!

Hi Everyone! Excited for this conversation!

Hi Everyone!

Hello Everyone - I am a graduate LMFT from 2011 woking in private practice and with early release federal prisoners - heavily black and brown

Hi everyone!!

Hello all. My name is Sam and I am here in Victoria BC Canada. I am a professor here at University of Victoria in Child & Youth Care and am an alum of NSU in Family Therapy. I am also a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I am on the traditional lands of the Malahat First Nation and respect that I am an uninvited visitor on these lands. Thank you for extending the invitation to me to witness.

I've definitely had similar experiences as of late. Specifically, feeling that I "have" to be that person.

As we go on speaking, please feel free to ask us ANYTHING… We’re open to all questions...

I heard from several professionals within higher education that the term "Diversity and Inclusion" may be similar to "Thoughts and Prayers", meaning that there are intentions to understand racial injustice yet there stills may be a lack of action.

Such a good point, Zaver!

So if you are saying that others may feel uncomfortable in their conversation with you, do you as well feel uncomfortable when someone comes to you with a question which you may view as rude or ignorant. What skills are most important that you’ve learned to have that conversation?

Great question James!! Thank you!

That’s good! What is your true intention in asking this to THIS person? To learn or to prove a point

Those are great suggestions Giancarlo! I've been using similar prompts before engaging in racial/social conversations.

Adejare- Your comment made me think about an article I read about textbooks in the school systems are written differently in different states. I wonder what these differences do to continue the silence and the privilege.

Yes! Really good point

same books but written by the states perspective

AND the experience of white people and whiteness in regard to slavery. ALL of us are still affected daily

Yes, they compared Texas vs California

What do you all see as the power of therapy in countering the oppression of black people?

How do you bring issues of social justice, specifically racism and oppression into therapy? Implicitly? Explicitly?

Great questions?

Correct, Dr. Beliard! The “whitewash” is real!

Thank you! So good!

Thank you

Powerful perspective!

Yes. I think the church’s also responsible for not promoting awareness of therapy. We can pray and still seek therapy.

Exactly!

So so true! Yes!

I completely agree Adejare! In having these discussions with my clients, I often share that the mere fact of having the conversation may not change the circumstances, however, it can definitely be therapeutic.

“These conversations should not be reactionary!” Whew, that’s it!

That’s GOOD!

It also decreases the perceived "power differential" that clients tend to feel when engaging in psychotherapy.

Its okay, not to be okay

In my practice, I find many clients heightened by all that is going on, corona, protests, recession, loss of jobs and the conversations seem to be going on cross purposes and they are not listening to others but are listening to those that reinforce their beliefs? How do you counteract within your sessions and also in your life?

I’m glad you are voicing this! So important! ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you for voicing your thoughts! Being also a Black, gay man, it resonates with me.

In this society, Black men showing vulnerability =weak. I tell black men all the time it's okay to vulnerable. Vulnerability equals strength.

be*

Thank you so much for allowing me to participate. I have to attend to my black gay male client now. I appreciate all the work that you are doing and you sound so bright and curious that I feel a sense of hope

I agree our vulnerabilities are our strengths. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to participate in these conversations and open dialogue. I have to go to another meeting, but my door is always open if you need anything.

Thank you Dr. Chung! Be Well!

Thank you James for posing that question and being a part!

Agree!!

We are here for you guys, we hear you, we appreciate you, you are loved, you are important and are worthy.

Does this mean there will be another presentation?

*peeking emoji*

It has been a deep privilege and honour

Yes please!!

Thank you so much for being willing to speak!

Thank you for this raw and honest conversation.

Thank you all so so much. This has been powerful.

yes

lol