White girl going into multicultural psych--does this sense?

[futureapppsy2]

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[HurricaneKatt]

I met with my thesis (BA) adviser today who expressed some concerns about me going to multicultural psych as a white person (valid, imo). After thinking about it, this was my response

...=ethnic group we study



Does that make any sense? Is it justifiable for a White person to go into multicultural psych?

If they do not let you in that is reverse racism and it is wrong. Just as wrong and immoral as any other type of racism. MULTI-cultural should mean just that - MULTI (MANY) - CULTURES!!!! It is not "Multi" if the only people in that group except "..." As well, CULTURE is not NOT SKIN color! If that is what you want to do, then do it. Don't let somone stop you just because you are white. That is Total B.S.

 

[irish80122]

I believe that white is one of the cultures included in multiculturalism. I believe you, or anyone else who is interested, should go into this field; it is so important to the future of our field.

Study your passion, regardless of what it is. I do suicide research and haven't died of suicide nor made an attempt. It is all how you look at it.

 

[Rapunzel]

I am also interested in multi-culturalism, and I am also white. I have felt unwelcome too, and to me it feels wrong that some make us feel like we can't pursue our interests because of our skin color, no matter what it is. I am first-generation American, and have lived outside of the United States. When I mention that, I am told that it doesn't count because Europe is part of the majority culture. I was raised with a religion that has been persecuted, and was a minority religion in all of the places where I lived as a child, but I have been told that I can't count that either because now I live in a place where I am part of the religious majority (I moved to this area partly to escape perceived discrimination). And what about discrimination against people with disabilities, mental and physical? Even though not all people with disabilities define themselves or their culture by their disability, isn't that part of multiculturalism too? I have worked my entire career with special populations of one kind or another - geriatric, disabled, international, .... Okay, so I'm European-American. Is my culture and ethnicity unacceptable and subject to condemnation? Are we disqualified from being able to understand people who have differences, because of who we are? I have never found satisfactory answers to these questions.

 

[terpskins10]

There is absolutely no reason for someone not to be able to pursue what they want because of their skin color. End of story.

 

[Ollie123]

At risk of being unpopular, I have to include some negativity and say that you might run into some issues of practicality along the way. In some populations, there is an inherent distrust of the majority population that could be a large hurdle you would need to overcome. This is reality and it needs to be acknowledged.

That said, its a hurdle, not a 20 foot high cement wall. It might require more collaboration, and probably some longer hours, but that doesn't mean it should stop you, it just means you should walk in prepared for that.

What I find ironic is that there is a serious dearth in research on minority issues that resulted from years of discrimination, and huge health disparities that exist as a result. I find it bordering on insane to deter ANY person who wants to try and help close that gap. I also think anyone who does has forfeit any and all rights to complain about said disparities.

 

[mdfirst]

As a minority myself, I support you 100 percent. You should pursue whatever you are interested in regardless of ur skin color. At the end of the day, its all about your interest and what you contribute to your field. You being white would possibly add an additional interesting factor to the field. So there, do you!

 

[futureapppsy2]

At risk of being unpopular, I have to include some negativity and say that you might run into some issues of practicality along the way. In some populations, there is an inherent distrust of the majority population that could be a large hurdle you would need to overcome. This is reality and it needs to be acknowledged.

100% agreed.

What I find ironic is that there is a serious dearth in research on minority issues that resulted from years of discrimination, and huge health disparities that exist as a result. I find it bordering on insane to deter ANY person who wants to try and help close that gap. I also think anyone who does has forfeit any and all rights to complain about said disparities.

See, that's the thing--this field/ethnic group is very, very under-researched. Type it into PSYCInfo, and your search results are always shocking narrowed. I agree when need more ... and other minority psychologists, no question, but we also need people doing the research, period.

I know there are White people in this particular area, as I've met them. I'm just worried my adviser won't write me a good recommendation, as she doesn't seem to think I should do research in this area (she told me she would never accept a grad student who wasn't of this ethnic group.). I think there's some (quite a bit) validity to that, but I just wish she had told me that beforehand, so I could have focused my research elsewhere!

 

[ksskateboard]

100% agreed.



See, that's the thing--this field/ethnic group is very, very under-researched. Type it into PSYCInfo, and your search results are always shocking narrowed. I agree when need more ... and other minority psychologists, no question, but we also need people doing the research, period.

I know there are White people in this particular area, as I've met them. I'm just worried my adviser won't write me a good recommendation, as she doesn't seem to think I should do research in this area (she told me she would never accept a grad student who wasn't of this ethnic group.). I think there's some (quite a bit) validity to that, but I just wish she had told me that beforehand, so I could have focused my research elsewhere!

This is absolutely ridiculous. Why should race bar you from the field you know you want to contribute to as a professional? This is discrimination. If I were told that it may not be a good idea to pursue the areas of research I was interested because of my creed, gender, or sexual orientation, I would be furious and I would probably take it up with a departmental chair. I can't believe that your even taking this seriously. I think that if you alerted anyone about this in your department, your adviser would probably be thoroughly questioned (at the least). Stick to what you love and don't let anyone get in the way of that.

 

[ksskateboard]

100% agreed.



See, that's the thing--this field/ethnic group is very, very under-researched. Type it into PSYCInfo, and your search results are always shocking narrowed. I agree when need more ... and other minority psychologists, no question, but we also need people doing the research, period.

I know there are White people in this particular area, as I've met them. I'm just worried my adviser won't write me a good recommendation, as she doesn't seem to think I should do research in this area (she told me she would never accept a grad student who wasn't of this ethnic group.). I think there's some (quite a bit) validity to that, but I just wish she had told me that beforehand, so I could have focused my research elsewhere!

I can't believe this. I'm sorry if I'm going on a rant but I can hardly believe that your adviser told you that she wouldn't write you a recommendation because of your race. And it's not like this matters at all, but I am a minority and even I would find this extremely offensive. Goodluck, and I would suggest findin another adviser, especially someone who would be in charge or writing a letter of recommendation which may make or break your acceptance into a program.

 

[zenman]

I met with my thesis (BA) adviser today who expressed some concerns about me going to multicultural psych as a white person (valid, imo). After thinking about it, this was my response

...=ethnic group we study

Does that make any sense? Is it justifiable for a White person to go into multicultural psych?

Tell her that before you were white you were a human being.

 

[twilson]

My multicultural psychology professor this semester is white. He even said " i know what many of u are thinking what is a white middleed aged man doing teaching this class", but he has done extensive research about Native Americans and with Native American graduate students to help him, and he does research on other groups I cant remember which..
Its not multicultural if everyone is busy focusing on their own culture, everyone doesnt bother with interactions between those cultures or how other cultures differ in psychological aspects (btw im black if that helps at all with my view)

 

[JockNerd]

Plenty of White people in my pretty heavily multicultural-research-focused counseling psych program. I, too, have seen a small degree of resistance to this, but my perception has been that most people, regardless of minority status, think that resistance is weird and inappropriate.

Although, I will say, I have seen persons with NO minority statuses (i.e. straight, White, American, high-SES, Christian-background, able-bodied, fine-looking, men) try to do multicultural research, and it always seems to come out wrong in conceptualization or design. But I think saying "you have to be X to study X" is ridiculous.

 

[orthogonal]

Ugh, reading your post really made me feel for you. I'm very sorry that you have such a close-minded professor who seems to be too stupid to understand the very principles of multiculturalism in the first place. I recommend that you keep pursuing this area of interest. Use this only a fuel to keep pushing on! I would be thrilled if more people studied my culture no matter what their race. 😳

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Sadly, there can be a bias out there. I have heard (not at my university, but out in academia) "you can't possibly know what it is like to be XYZ"....which is a straw man argument. It often comes up when speaking about "white privilege" and related ideas, so don't let yourself get caught up in semantics, as it often is misdirected/misinformed anger parading as "fact".

If this is an area of interest/passion for you...I'd say go for it. Much like it doesn't take a cancer survivor to treat a cancer patient, your work does not require you to be of the group to work with the group.

 

[BellaPsyD]

truthfully....I would have taken it up with a department chair. If your thesis advisor is tenured, they may feel like nothing can touch them....they may need a quick reminder that racism is discrimination against someone for their skin color- ANY skin color. A gentle reminder from the person writing their paycheck may hit home 🙂

 

[futureapppsy2]

To clarify, I think my adviser has a very valid point--we do need more ethnic (and other) minority psychologists. I don't begrudge her that in *any way*.

I would be thrilled if more people studied my culture no matter what their race.

As someone with a physical disability who's done research in disability psych, I feel this way. Is it good to have "in group" researchers and clinicians? Most definitely. But if able bodied people want to contribute to this area (which, like ... psychology, is painful under-researched) and are willing to work to do it carefully and "correctly," then more power to them.

Admittedly, I'm frustrated in a somewhat selfish way--I feel like all my work in multicultural psych over the past year has really been for naught if my adviser is unwilling to recommend me/support me studying this area. Still, I recognize she has a valid point, so...

As for my thesis, my prospectus is complete and ready to give to my committee, so I'll do that as soon as the term starts. I'm looking into the possibility of another adviser (who would be a pretty strong match to my thesis), but nothing's concrete as yet and am not sure if such a late switch would be possible.

Wish me a satisfactory resolution, if you will, please.

 

[Cigolon]

My girlfriend is a first-year masters student in experimental psyc. her interests are (aside from everything it seems) focused on multicultural issues and yes, she's white. while there is some validity in that there are some groups that will come off as bias, this is the exact problem we are facing with multi-cultural issues- i.e., lack of knowledge and racism. it's a hurdle no matter where you look.

there is nothing for you to invade. at the end of the day the question is simply, "what have you contributed to your field". not all researchers on addiction are addicts. not all researchs on bi-polar are manic. i see no reason that the field,or anyone in it, should expect all researchers in this area to somehow adhere to a specific group.

I doubt your advisor would have suggested that any minority would not fit in or be able to contribute to the field were they to want to study other minorties. and to echo what someone else said, if they refuse to write you the letter because of your skin color- thats big trouble in little china.

 

[JockNerd]

[...]while there is some validity in that there are some groups that will come off as bias, this is the exact problem we are facing with multi-cultural issues- i.e., lack of knowledge and racism. it's a hurdle no matter where you look.

I feel like I need to interject here, because of this point and similar ones above. It's not the "exact" problem. That's like saying the fact that women teachers are less likely to be promoted to principals and superintendants, and the fact that males in Education get joshed by their friends for being in a "girl's profession," are evidence that both men and women experience sexism.

 

[Cigolon]

I feel like I need to interject here, because of this point and similar ones above. It's not the "exact" problem. That's like saying the fact that women teachers are less likely to be promoted to principals and superintendants, and the fact that males in Education get joshed by their friends for being in a "girl's profession," are evidence that both men and women experience sexism.

I mean in so far that the problem with multi-cultural issues is that people do not understand the cultural implications of other cultures and make assumptions based on their own biases. the issue is, in my eyes, a lack of understanding and assuming that she can not adequately perform in a given field because of her race is an exact personification of that issue: inaccurate attribution and misunderstanding based on cultural bias.

 

[Thrak]

Can you cheat? As in, look for programs that have a focus on multicultural psych, but also something else (Psychology of women, or health psych, perhaps)? Once you're accepted into a program, there shouldn't be a problem having a secondary adviser, or taking a few classes with a prof who focuses on multicultural psych.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I *do* know someone who "cheated" (that, or really changed thier interests in grad school... they did their thesis in feminist psycholinguistics and their practicum and dissertation work in schizophrenia...and their internship and post doc in eating disorders 😕) like that, but I won't do that, as (a) I'm painfully honest 🙂 and (b) my app (research experience) really speaks strongly to my in interest in multicultural psych.

 

[deleted176373]

I met with my thesis (BA) adviser today who expressed some concerns about me going to multicultural psych as a white person (valid, imo). After thinking about it, this was my response

...=ethnic group we study



Does that make any sense? Is it justifiable for a White person to go into multicultural psych?

Wow, I would have been pissed if they told me that they had concerns that my ethnicity would somehow make me less capable to work in multicultural psychology.

I think the next question would be: Please tell me how my ethnicity concerns you regarding my ability to pursue this line of research? Do you mind if I turn the tape recorder on? I'd like to reflect on this later (perhaps with the local news media present.)

It saddens me that people still think this way... I was going to say it amazed me, but really, it doesn't.

Mark

 

[Olivia101884]

I am going to respectfully disagree with some of the posts disparaging your professor. As an anti-racist activist, I think it is very important/admirable that you want to go into multicultural psychology. However, before you do so, (and perhaps this is what your professor was getting at), it is imperative that you develop a healthy White identity [see Helms (1984)] and become very familiar with Multicultural/Racial Identity Development. In trying to help, we sometimes unknowingly or unconsciously hurt others or propagate stereotypes out of ignorance or lack of education of historical or racial issues.

Counselor, know thyself; this is one of the guiding tenets and principles of psychology that should not be forgotten. I was an American Studies major in college, and what always struck me was what my advisor, a leading scholar/Asian American activist said once: "You are here today to unlearn all the years of schooling you have been formally taught. This is a painful process for many." And for some it was. And we're not just talking about learning about the cruelties behind Thanksgiving, but how history is presented as a whole and how racism operates institutionally, environmentally, economically, socially, etc. to disadvantage and discriminate. Many of my fellow white classmates felt guilt, pain, or shame; this is a self-reflective process. While it may start with an initial "I want to go into multicultural psychology," it requires continual and lifelong self-examination and education. Hence why it is imperative to develop a healthy antiracist/White identity. This may not happen overnight. I am not saying you do not have the above, but it is a LEGITIMATE concern for many people of color and marginalized groups. And rightfully so, as they have historically had their rights and beings infringed on at the hands of psychologists and/or subjected to psychological tests that were normed for a White population.

Counseling Psychology is rich in the field of multicultural psychology. Dr. Sue at Columbia TC (the counseling program; if you're interested in learning about it, PM me) has done amazing work in this area and you'd probably be interested in his Multicultural Identity Model. Moreover, in his book, Multicultural Counseling Competencies (2008), he expands the idea of multiculturalism to include LGBT individuals, women/women's issues, ethnic minorities, and people with physical disabilities. If you're interested in the latter, it is an up-and-coming field where research is greatly needed.

Again, the fact that you brought this issue to the forums suggests that it is a topic you care greatly about, so I wish you a lot of luck.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Counseling Psychology is rich in the field of multicultural psychology. Dr. Sue at Columbia TC (the counseling program; if you're interested in learning about it, PM me) has done amazing work in this area and you'd probably be interested in his Multicultural Identity Model.

Dr. Sue has some really interesting publications out there. Sometimes it comes off as a bit "blame focused" on white culture, though there is definitely some meat to the argument.

You may also want to check out Mill's "Racial Contract", which puts a new spin on the Social Contract. Another good read is Oliver & Shapiro's "Black Wealth/White Wealth", which looks specifically at economic disparages. They are far from perfect, but they will make you think.

 

[thewesternsky]

Dr. Sue has some really interesting publications out there. Sometimes it comes off as a bit "blame focused" on white culture, though there is definitely some meat to the argument.

You may also want to check out Mill's "Racial Contract", which puts a new spin on the Social Contract. Another good read is Oliver & Shapiro's "Black Wealth/White Wealth", which looks specifically at economic disparages. They are far from perfect, but they will make you think.

Since we're recommending readings, now, I just want to mention McIntosh's "Unpacking the Invisible Backpack" as an interesting read and a good intro to many of the Helmsian ideas... It's not psych (I believe she's in Women's Studies), but it was helpful for me in getting over the "racism-as-isolated-events" way of thinking that pervades society...

http://www.uakron.edu/centers/conflict/docs/whitepriv.pdf

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I was actually going to recommend looking up "white privilege", but I thought I gave enough recommendations in one post. 😀 I have another good article (different author)....though I don't have it on me. When I get back to S. FL, I'll post the citation information.

 

[Brad S]

Although, I will say, I have seen persons with NO minority statuses... try to do multicultural research, and it always seems to come out wrong in conceptualization or design.

What would be an example?