Winter 2012 - Society of Counseling Psychology, Division 17

The
Diversity
The Society of Counseling Psychology’s Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity Newsletter Winter 2012
p
Factor
The
Diversity
Factor
The Society of Counseling Psychology’s
Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity Newsletter
Winter 2012
Table of Contents
2
SERD Officers
3
Letter from the Editor
4
Featured Psychologist
Puncky Heppner, Division 17 Fellow
EDITORIAL TEAM
7
EDITORS
Thomandra Sam, Western Carolina University
Pius Nyutu, Fayetteville State University
Chronicles
Compiled by Ryan Higgins
8
Contribution from Another Discipline
Cheron Hunter, Education – Ne’er a Moment to Spare:
Classroom Biases
9
Up, Close and Personal
Laura Horn – Interview with Jesse Steinfeldt
11
Psychologists – in – Training
Dianna González & Laura Côté - Promoting social justice
through community-based collaboration: Women’s
Intercultural Center and New Mexico State University
14
Cultural Expressions
Karen Kegel – Modern Family
15
Announcement and Achievements
Compiled by Felicia Fisher
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Chronicles
Ryan Higgins, Chicago, IL private practice
Cultural Expressions
Karen Kegel, Lehigh University
Mosaic
Max Nisenbaum, University of Houston
Psychologists-in-Training
Dianna Gonzalez, New Mexico State
University
Announcements & Achievements
Felicia Fisher, University of Houston
Here & Now
Steven Roring, Northwestern University
Up, Close, & Personal
Cara Maffini, Indiana University
Editorial Administrator
Jasmin Llamas,
University of California – Santa Barbara
Layout and Design
Hartini Abdul-Rahman,
Western Michigan University
The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors; they do
not necessarily represent the views and policies of the American Psychological Association, the Division of Counseling Psychology, or its sections.
The
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The Society of Counseling Psychology’s Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity Newsletter Winter 2012
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SERD Officers
Chairperson
Past-Chairperson
Ezemenari Obasi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
The University of Georgia –Athens
Obasi[at]uga[dot]edu
Earlise Ward, Ph.D., LP
Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin-Madison
ecward[at]wisc[dot]edu
Secretary
Treasurer
Munyi Shea, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
California State University
- Los Angeles
mshea3[at]exchange[dot]calstatela
[dot]edu
Sheila Henderson, Ph.D.
Systemwide Associate Director,
International-Multicultural Initiatives
Shenderson[at]alliant[dot]edu
Newsletter Editor
Newsletter Editor
Thomandra S Sam, Ph.D.
Culture & Gender Specialist
Western Carolina University
tssam[at]wcu[dot]edu
Pius Nyutu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Fayetteville State University
pnyutu [at] uncfsu [dot ]edu
Membership Coordinator
Candice Crowell, M.S.
Doctoral Student
Howard University
ccrowell2005[at]yahoo[dot]com
Student Representatives:
Jasmin Llamas, M.A. – UC – Santa Barbara
jllamas at education dot ucsb dot edu
Delishia Pittman, M.A. - The University of Georgia
dmp21 at uga dot edu
Award Committee Co-Chairs:
Justin Gibson, Ph.D. - U.C. Berkeley
jtgibson[at]uhs[dot]Berkeley[dot]edu
Riddhi Sandil, Ph.D. - University of Utah
Riddhi.sandal[at]utah[dot]edu
Programming Chairperson:
Alex Pieterse, Ph.D. - SUNY Albany
apieterse[at]Albany[dot]edu
Dionne Smith Coker-Appiah, Ph.D.
-Georgetown University
dms229[at]georgetown[dot]edu
Mentoring Chairperson:
Kevin Nadal, Ph.D. - John Jay College
knadal[at]gmail[dot]com
Webmaster:
Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D.
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Letter from the Editor
DiversityFactorfeelslikethisexperiencebetweenthosetwo
beautifulanimals.Wehaveadiversecollectionoffeatures
thathighlightthebeautyofSERDandthesocietyofcounselingpsychology.Westartourjourneybymeetinganexperiencedandwellrespectedmemberofthesociety,Dr.Puncky
Heppner.Ashesharesabouthislifeandgrowthintheareaof
multiculturalism,heisfullofpraisesformanypeoplearound
him,thatjustlikethetortoise’sgardencontinuetoamaze
him.
PN:
WelcometotheWinter2012editionoftheDiversityFactor,
SERD’sNewsletter!
IamexcitedtojointheeditorialteamoftheDiversityFactor,asaco-editor.IamanassistantprofessorattheDepartmentofPsychologyatFayettevilleStateUniversityinNorth
Carolina.IgraduatedfromthecounselingpsychologyprogramatUniversityofMissouri,Columbia,aftercompleting
aninternshipatUniversityofFloridaCounselingCenter.
PriortojoiningFSU,Iworkedforayearasaclinicianand
internationalstudents’specialistattheCounselingand
MentalHealthCenteratUniversityofTexasatAustin.Besidesenjoyingthecurrentopportunitytoworkatahistoricallyblackuniversity,Ihaveresearchandworkinterestsin
theareasofyoungpeople’smentalhealth,internationalpsychology,multiculturalism,andpromotionofschoolcounselingandmentalhealthinAfrica.IbelieveinandIamcommittedtothepromotionoftheinterestsofracialminorities
withinandoutsidetheprofessionalworld.Mygoalasacoeditorofthenewsletteristoassistinensuringthattheprofessionismoreconversantwiththetraining,researchand
practiceofandforpeoplefromdiversebackgrounds.
Recently,Iwasreadingtomydaughterfromachildren’s
magazine.Onestorythatstruckmewasaboutamonarch
butter lythathadmadestopsatWichitaFallsonitswayto
andfromMexicoduringtheseasonalmigrationfromCanada.ThereitmetaTexastortoiseandtheytalkedabouttheir
differentlives.Themonarchwasfascinatedwiththeexperiencesofthetortoisethatnotonlyenablesitadapttothe
changingseasons,andbutalsocontinuetoenjoytheastonishmentsofitsgardeneveryday.Thestorygoesontotrace
thejourneyofthebutter lywhichisalsofullofchallenges
andpleasingexperiences.Readingthroughthisissueofthe
Wethengoonadiversejourneywhichlikethatofthemonarchbutter ly,involveschallengesandnewexperiences.In
thechroniclessections,wehearsomestereotypestoriesthat
areaimedatremindingusofthesimilarissuesthatwetoo
oftenencounterintheroadtomulticulturalism.Thesharing
byDr.CheronHunterDavisshowsusthat,thoughwemaybe
fromdifferentdisciplines,intermsofthechallengeofdiversity,thelinebetweenisverythin.
Wethenmoveup,closeandpersonalwithDr.JesseSteinfeldt
atUniversityofIndiana-Bloomingtonwhosharesabouthis
professionaldevelopment,research,andworkespeciallyin
sportspsychologyandAmericanIndians’issues.Hispassion
forhisresearchisaninspirationforthoseintrainingand
thosewhomaybedoubtingtheirresearchabilities.Speaking
ofthoseintraining,thenextfeaturetakesusallthewayto
NewMexicowherecollaborationbetweenNewMexicoState
UniversityandWomen’sInterculturalCentergetsthosein
traininginvolvedinpromotionofsocialjusticeinthecommunity.Fromthere,wetraveltotheshowbizworldwherewe
hearhowModernFamily,amajornetworksitcom,maybe
raisingawarenessaboutdiversityintheUSespeciallybyprovokingdiscussiononraceandethnicity,thoughdesignedasa
TVcomedy.
TheDiversityFactorendsbynotingsomeaccomplishments
intheSocietyofCounselingPsychology,highlightingcallsfor
nominationsforawardsandcontests,andannouncingsome
upcomingeventsthatmembersoftheSERDmaybeinterestedin.Itherefore,welcomeourreaderstosparesomeoftheir
precioustimetoreadthisissueandifpossiblepassitonto
colleagues.Wethankthosewhocontributedtothisissueeitherbyagreeingtobeinterviewedorbysendingarticles.We
acknowledgetheworkofthemembersoftheeditorialteam
forputtingthenewslettertogether,andespeciallyourstudentmembersfortheirdedication.Aswestartworkingon
thenextissue,wewouldliketohearfrommoreofourreaders,solookoutforthecallforarticlesinfuture.
Enjoyyourreading,
PiusNyutu,Ph.D.
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Featured Psychologist: Puncky Heppner
Division 17 Fellow
Dr.PunckyHeppnerisaCurators’ProfessorofCounseling
PsychologyintheCollegeofEducationattheUniversityof
Missouri.HereceivedhisDoctorateinCounselingPsychologyfromtheUniversityofNebraska-Lincoln.Dr.Heppneris
interestedincoping/problemsolvingwithstressfulevents
andimpactonpsychologicalandphysicalhealthandmulticulturalandgenderissues.Hisresearchalsoincludesuniversityanduniquecopingissuesacrosscultures,especially
cross-nationalperspectives.Dr.Heppneristheauthorof
numerousarticlesandmultiplebooksandbookchaptersas
wellascopiouspresentations.Hehasbeenhonoredasa
FellowofDivision17(CounselingPsychology)aswellasa
2002FulbrightResearchandTeachingScholartoTaiwan.
Dr.Heppnerhasmentoredandinspiredmanyresearchers
andcliniciansinthe ieldofcounselingpsychology.
Dr.Heppner,youhavebeensoextensivelyandintenselyinvolvedinCounselingPsychologythroughyourresearch,supervision,mentoring,collegiality,etc.How
didyoudevelopapassionforyourwork?Whatdoyou
enjoymostaboutyourworkasapsychologist?
(PH):Ifeelveryluckytohavedevelopedsuchapassionfor
manyaspectsofmyworkwithintheworldofcounseling
psychology.GrowingupinafamilywithalowsocioeconomicstatusinveryruralcommunitiesinthehillsofNorthDakota,IdidnothaveanyideathatIcouldbeaprofessional
psychologist.Ididnothaveanyrolemodelsoranyschema
really,forsuchaprofession.ButofcourseIdidlearnmany
veryusefulskillsandattitudesfrommyparents,suchas
valuesrelatingtohelpingothers,attentiontodetail,workinghard,honesty,andeducation;thesevalueshavecontributedtomypassionsinmanyways.
Iwas irstveryluckytohavebothasupportiveandwise
doctoraladvisor,Dr.DavidDixon,whotaughtmesomuch
aboutthemanydimensionsofourworkinpsychology.He
notonlyprovidedmewithabird’seyeviewoftheprofes-
sion,especiallythevaluesandjoysassociatedwithour
work,butmostimportantlyhelpedmetoseethatIhada
placeinthisprofession,thatIbelongedhere….whichwas
initiallyveryhardformetobelieve.
Second,IfeelveryluckybecauseIhavebeenabletowork
withsomanygoodstudents,faculty,andcolleaguesoverso
manyyears.Ihavelearnedsomuchfromsomanygood
people,notonlyaboutthevariousrolesinourprofession,
butmoreimportantlytheimpactthatourprofessioncan
haveonpeople,fromourresearchtoourteaching,practice,
andtraining.SoIhavefoundthatalloftheserolescanbe
verymeaningfulwaysformetocontributetootherpeople's
development,particularlyfromasocialjusticeperspective,
whichhasbeenveryrewardingforme,andkeepsmy ire
going!
Muchofyourworkhashelpedtoprovidebestpractices
andinformationforworkingwithcross-culturalcontextsinamoreglobal/internationaldynamic.Howdid
yourinterestofworkinginthisareaarise?
(PH):Tounderstandmyinterestincross-nationalcultural
issues,itisimportanttounderstandmybackgroundinmulticulturalpsychologyintheUSasthetwoareinextricably
linked.MulticulturalscholarslikeDr.HelenNeville,Dr.SundiataCha-Jua,andDr.LisaFlores,havebeenverysupportiveguides,mentors,andfriends,whogreatlyexpandedmy
culturalworldview.Forexample,Iacquiredalotofinformationaboutthesocio-politicalhistoryofracerelationsin
theUS,ongoingsocialinequities,cultural-speci icsocialcustoms,andculturalspeci icinterpersonalskills.Andoverthe
last ifteenyearsorso,Ihaveintegratedmulticulturalissues
intomanyaspectsofmywork,notonlyteachingandresearch,butalsoawidearrayoftrainingactivitiesasCoDirectoroftheCenterForMulticultural,Research,Training,
andConsultation,EditorofTheCounselingPsychologist,
andPresidentoftheSocietyofCounselingPsychology.So
overtimeIhavegreatlyexpandedmyworldview,andacquiredgreaterlevelsofmulticulturalawareness,
knowledge,andskillswithintheUSculturalcontext.Inessence,overtimemyculturaljourneywithintheUSmulticulturalmovementprovidedastrongfoundationtoexplore
cross-nationalculturalissues.AlthoughIamsensitiveto
thefactthattherearemanydifferencesinthesetwoimportantmovements,therearealsomanysimilarities.
Myinterestincross-nationalculturalactivitiesinvolveda
numberofcriticaleventsovermanyyears,suchasearly
beginningsofbeingfascinatedbyMary’s(mywife)sister
(Carol)participationinorganizedtourstoWesternEurope
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(whatwonderfulandatthattimeseeminglyexoticphotos!),
joiningmybestfriendfromhighschool(BradSleeper)ona
monthlongtriptoWesternEuropewhichopenedmyeyes
toamuchbroaderworld,butevenmoreimportantly,providedmewithasenseofef icacyformanagingtravelsin
othercountries.Subsequently,thereweresomewonderful
opportunitiesthatoccurredrelativelyearlyinmycareer,
suchasaFulbrighttoSwedenin1985aswellasaninvitationtospeakinTaiwanin1989,bothofwhichgreatly
broadenedmyworldviewofpsychology,modelsofpsychotherapy,graduatetraining,andlateropeneddoorsforfuturecollaboration.
TodayIseeU.S.-basedmulticulturalandcross-nationalculturalissuesasbeingverycloselyintertwinedwithinmy
culturaljourneyandeachinformsmeaboutthemanycomplexitiesinherentwithintheculturalcontextthatin luences
somuchofhumanbehavior.
Throughoutyourworks,thereseemstobeaclearsocial
justiceorientation.Wasthisinitiallyintentional?Ifso,
what/whowastheparticularsituation/personthatcontributedtoyourdevelopingasocialjusticeperspective?
(PH):Althoughmanystudents,faculty,andcolleaguescontributedgreatlytothedevelopmentofmyworldview,and
particularlyasocialjusticeperspective,perhapsthesingle
mostimportantandin luentialrelationshipformewasDr.
HelenNeville,andsubsequentlyherpartnerDr.Sundiata
Cha-Jua.Helenhasawonderfulwayofnormalizingone's
cross-culturaljourney!Shenotonlyhassuchanincredible
knowledgebasearoundabroadarrayofculturalissues,but
sheisalsosoaccepting,calm,andskillfulinimpartingher
culturalknowledge.SoIwouldsaythatHelenandSundi
weremostinstrumentaltoopenmyeyestoamuchmore
complexculturalenvironment.Overtime,myworldview
expandedtonotonlyseethesocialinjusticeswithinmultiplelevelsoftheUSsociety,butalsoinothercountriesas
well.
Inthecourseofmyculturaljourneyinthelast20years,severalofmysimplisticnotionsoffairnessandequalitywere
shattered,andthathasalsoinspiredmetoworkforsystemicchange.Moreover,Ihavealsobeeninspiredbystudents
andcolleagueswhohaveworkedrelentlesslytopromote
equalityandsocialjustice.Ihavebeentouchedbytheirresilience,problemsolving,commitment,dedication,and
sheerdetermination.
Alloftheseexperienceshavepropelledmeforwardinmy
culturaljourneytopromotesocialjustice.Moreover,Igain
strengthfromthegratitudeofvariousindividualsthathave
beenaffectedbymyeffortstopromoteequality,andtheir
willingnesstojointhemovementtocontributetoamore
justworld.Inshort,mymotivationtocontinueinmywork
isdirectlyrelatedtothesupportandwarmththatIhave
receivedfromothers,aswellasthemanyopportunitiesthat
Icanseethatlieaheadforthenextgenerationtomakea
differentworld;Iammovedbyhope.
InanarticlebyScienceDailyinregardstocrossculturalcollaborativeresearch,youstated"Crossculturalrelationshipsrequiretrustandrespectand
shouldbecollaborativeinsteadofhierarchical."Can
youpleaseexpandonthisideafurtherandprovide
waysofincorporatingsuchpracticeintobothclinical
andacademicpsychologyarenas?
(PH):Well,Ithinkthattherearemanywaystocollaborate,
anddifferentworkstylesmayaffectdifferentindividualsin
differentways,inbothshort-termandlong-termcollaboration.Forme,thebesttypesofcollaborationsarethosein
whichallindividualsfeelvaluedandrespected.Whenthis
happens,itseemsthatwenotonlycanshareourideas
freely,butalsobecomemoreinvestedinourworkandresponsibilities,whichinturnenhancesthequalityofour
work.Moreover,mysenseisthatintheendwealsovalue
ourrelationshipmorewhenourworkisbasedonmutual
collaborationratherthanahierarchicalrelationship.Anotherimportantelementformeinthistypeofcollaborative
relationshipisthatourgoalsandproductstendtobemutuallybene icial;thatis,everyonebene itsatroughlythesame
level,andsothereisasenseofbothequalityandequityin
cross-culturalrelationshipsthatincludetrustandrespect.
However,itcanalsobechallengingtodevelopmutually
bene icialrelationships,especiallyacrossdifferentcultural
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contextwherethepsychologicaldynamicswithinrelationshipsoftentimesdifferinverysigni icantways.Sosometimescross-culturalrelationshipsrequireagreatdealof
cross-culturalcompetence,whichIconceptualizethesedays
ascenteredoncross-nationalculturalawareness,
knowledge,andskills,whichtomeseemssimilarinmany
waystothetripartitemodel.Anyway,trustisusuallyavery
importantelementintheserelationships.
Forme,whencross-culturalrelationshipsworkwell,itisa
wonderfulfeeling.
Howdoyoumaintainmomentumwitheachendeavor,
accomplishmentand/orpositionthatyouacquire?
(PH):Intermsofthemomentumorenergytoreachvarious
professionalgoals,throughoutmostofmycareeroneofthe
mostimportantthingsformehasbeenthatIreallyneedto
believeinaparticularprojectorgoal;thatis,Ihavelearned
thatIneedtobelievethatthegoalmightmakeadifference
insomeone’slife…eithernoworinthenextgenerations.
Overthespanofmy30-yearcareer,timehasbecomeavery
preciouscommodity,andIknowthattimeislimited,andI
wanttousemytimeinawaythatIcanfeelgoodthatIhave
contributedtomakingourworldabetterplace.IfeelIcan
dothatthroughmyresearch,myteachingandtraining,service,practice,aswellaswhoIam,andwhatIdoinmycommunity.Soformeithasbeenlessofanissueofmomentum,
andmoreofanissueofeffectivelyrestrictingthenumberof
projectswithwhichIchoose;sometimestherecanbetoo
muchmomentum.
Whenyouhavetimetorelax,whatorwhereisyourgoto?Whatisrelaxingaboutthat?
(PH):Inmypersonallife,Ienjoyawidearrayofactivities
thatprovidemewithbothphysicalrelaxation,aswellasa
psychologicalbreakfromwork.Forexample,Ienjoya
greatdealtherelaxationofspendingtimeinavarietyof
activitieswithMary,whichmostrecentlyhasbeenwonderfulsunsetsinnorthernNewMexico,manymealsoutsideon
ourportale,thefascinatingnight-skyandmooninTaos
(lovethatdarkskyordinance!),anddevelopinganorchard
andplantingnativegrassesaroundourNewMexicohome
whichwecallMoonDancer.
Ialsoenjoyawidearrayofsocialactivitieswithfriends,and
particularlytimesoflaughter,sharing,andcamaraderie.
Iamalsoapotter,speci icallyawood- irepotter.Ivery
muchenjoythetranquilityatthepotter'swheelmaking
“pots”,theslowandhopefulprocessofglazingpots,loading
thekilnand“tryingtothinklike ire”,andonagoodday,
iringthekilntoover2000°andenjoyingtheatmosphere
withinthekiln,aswellasthecamaraderieoffamilyand
friendsoutsidethekiln.
Isthereanythingelseyouwouldliketoshare?
(PH):Iamdeeplyhonoredtohavebeenaskedtocontribute
totheSERDNewsletter.Ihaveagreatdealofrespectand
admirationformany,manypeopleinthisDivision,andit
hasalwaysfeltspecialtometobeamemberofthisDivision
withsomanypeoplethatIadmire.
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Chronicles
Stories about Stereotypes
Compiled By Ryan Higgins
Associate Editor’s (RH) note: I requested for short stories related to or addressing, within a person’s professional working
capacity, how people have acknowledged and dealt with
obstacles of promoting racial/ethnic diversity and social justice.
AsaNewYorkCitypublicschoolteacher,Iwasnostranger
tothecomplexitiesandinjusticesofraceandinequity,yetI
wasstillshockedwhenIheardthisstoryfromaformerAfrican-Americanstudentofmine.Heranecdoteencapsulates
muchofthepathosattherootofracialperceptionandissuesofequality.
Shetoldmeaboutworkingasaprogramcoordinatorforan
organizationresponsibleforhelpingAfricanimmigrantgirls
adjusttoAmericancultureanddealwithculturallyspeci ic
challengesoftheirhomecountry.Atonepoint,theorganization’sdirectorsinvitedtwotopcandidatestointerviewfora
youthworkerpositionandhadeachfacilitateadiscussion
sectioninordertoseewhichcandidatethegirlsintheprogramwouldprefer.AlthoughthegirlsnotedthattheyconnectedwiththeblackMuslimcandidatethebest,theydecidedtohirethewhitewomancandidate.Whenaskedhow
theydeterminedthis,thegirlsrespondedthattheyneeded
someonewhowouldgetthemwhattheyneeded,thingslike
scholarshipsandaccesstootherbene its.Inotherwords,
thewhitewoman’sstatusmightaffordthemaccesstothe
dominantculture,thepreferredculture.
JanelleMayer
UniversityofMinnesota
CounselingandStudentPersonnelPsychologyMasters
program
AsaBlackfemale,Istrugglewithmypassionandadvocacy
intheareaofsocialjustice.Ihavededicatedmuchofmy
professionalandpersonallifeinthepursuitofsupporting
moreequitableenvironments.Istruggleoftentimeswith
therealitythatmyadvocacymaynotbeaspersuasiveor
impressionableassomeonewhoisamemberofamorevisiblepower/privilegegroup.IfInoticeanunjustpracticeor
attendtoabiasedsituationandIamimmediatelycuedto
addressthesituation,haveateachablemoment,effect
changeinmyworld,etc.ThenrealityhitsandIbeganto
fumblesomewherebetweenmyheadandmyheart:AmI
beingoverlycritical?Doesanyoneelseseethis?Willspeakingoutatalltimesmakemyopinionmoreeasilydismissed
inthefuture?Isitworthit…?Itisasadofasetofquestions,andunfortunatelysomeoneisreadingthisandfeeling
asthoughthisistheirownstory.Myobstaclewithadvocatingformoresociallyjustpracticeis iguringouthowto
maintainavoicetowhichothersareabletorespond.Unfortunately,Ihavenosolutionformyselforyouthereader.
IdobelievethatIwillcontinuetoutilizemyvoiceasmuch
aspossiblebecauseifIallowmyselftobesilencednow
whenwillIbeallowedtospeak?Andwhenthattimecomes
willIrememberwhatitisIwantedtosay?
ThomandraSSam,Ph.D.
CultureandGenderSpecialist
Brief Biography of Associate Editor—Chronicles
Ryan Higgins currently provides psychotherapy in a private setting. He completed his undergraduate
education at Eastern Illinois University majoring in Psychology, and his Masters in Clinical Psychology at
Benedictine University. His research interests include the mind/body relationship in regards to
healthcare as well as understanding the cultural barriers to mental health services.
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Special Contribution from Another Discipline
Cheron Hunter, Education
Ne’er a Moment to
Spare:
Classroom Biases
Perhapsitwasanearly-careerexperienceinwhich
aseasonedcolleagueinformedmethatIwas“tooyoung”
totrulymakeanimpactintheteachingprofession.Or
itmayhavebeentheculturally-insensitivemath
examquestioninwhichmysecond-graders
weretodeterminetheamountoftimeit
wouldtakefortheCaucasianfemalepicturedtobrushherhair.Consequently,
mystudentsofcolorselectedthelongest
amountsoftime,deemedincorrectresponses
bytheanswerkey.Justmaybeitcouldbethe
happyhourconversationswithWhiteK-12teacher
friendswhogiggleastheyrecallthenonsensicalmusingsoftheirAfrican-Americanstudentswhocommunicatesuchideasasliebumps,ne’era(nary),orthedelicious
aromaofhogmaws.Istruggletoconcealmyannoyance
withtheirignoranceofthefeaturesofAfricanAmerican
VernacularEnglishandtheirnegativeresponsestoit’shandlers.Evidenceconcerningthenegativeteacherattitudes
andresponsestothevernacularofAfricanAmericanchildrenandtheircorrelationtolowerstudentsuccessandconidencearewelldocumented.Studentswhosound“lessethnic”or“non-White”wereoftendeemedlesspromising
oreffectivestudents(1).Andthoughthereseemstoexist
thediversitymodelofinstructionthroughouttoday’steacherandcounseloreducationprograms,Ioftenwonderhow
effectivetheymaytrulybe.Inlightofrecentbacklash
againstEbonics,I’mhesitanttospeculateonthenumberof
teacherswhobuildartfullyandskillfullyonstudents’home
languages.
Andsomymissionisnotcomplete.Thereisyet
worktobedone.AndasIurgemycolleaguestoexplorethe
jargonandlinguisticfeaturestheiryoungAfricanAmerican
studentsbringtotheclassroomandencouragethemtoleveragethisknowledgewithtraditionalschoolknowledge,I
amencouraged.Therestillexistsnumerousopportunities
forwe,asteacherandcounseloreducators,topromotecul-
turalsensitivityandimplementtrainingpracticeswhatwill
enhancemulticulturalpedagogy.Therearestillopportunitiestoengagepractitionersinprofessionaldevelopment
thatheightenstheirsensitivitytoculturalissuesthatmay
ariseintheclassroomorincounseling.Asayoungster,the
smallbumpsonmytonguedidindeedsuggestthatI’dtolda
lieatsomepointinthenot-so-distantpast.Andattheage
of ive,it’squitecommontotellalie,practicallydaily.My
grandmotherpreparedhogmawsforherchildren,as
didhergrandmotherandhergrandmother’sgrandmother.Forslaves,itwasadelicacyofnecessity.
AndasmuchasIamconnectedtomyrootsas
anAfricanAmericanwoman,Iwon’tbe
eatingne’eraoneofthosehogmaws
anytimesoon!
Reference:
(1)Williams,F.(1976).Explorationsoflinguistic
attitudesofteachers.Rowley,Massachusetts:NewburyHouse.
Cheron Hunter Davis, Ph.D. is a former elementary teacher
who now serves as an assistant professor of reading education in the Troy University, Phenix City Campus College of Education. Her research interests include multicultural literature,
professional development of preservice and practicing teachers, and multicultural pedagogy in the reading curriculum.
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Up, Close and Personal
Interview with Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt
Angela Horn and Cara Maffini
Dr.JesseSteinfeldtisanAssistantProfessorofCounseling
PsychologyatIndianaUniversity-Bloomington.HereceivedhisDoctorateinCounselingPsychologyfromtheUniversityofWisconsin-Milwaukee.Dr.Steinfeldtisinterested
insportspsychologyandmulticulturalpsychologywithin
thesocialinstitutionofsport.Hisresearchalsoincludes
understandingtheeffectsofNative-themesportsmascots,
nicknamesandlogosonAmericanIndiancommunitiesand
allmembersofsociety.
1. Givemeabriefsummaryregardingwhereyouwent
toschoolandyourtraining.
IdidmyundergraduateworkinPsychologyatYaleUniversity,mymaster'sdegreeinSportPsychologyatIowa,my
doctorateinCounselingPsychologyatUW-Milwaukee,and
myAPAinternshipatGrandValleyStateUniversity.My
motherlikestosaythatI"startedinKindergartenand inallystoppedgoingtoschoolafterIcompletedthe23rd
grade."
2.Pleasesharealittleaboutyourprofessionalwork
andresearch.
Myresearchisinterdisciplinaryinnature,butitcanbebest
describedasapplyingprinciplesofmulticulturalpsychology
withinthein luentialsocialinstitutionofsport.Speci ically,
myresearchhasexamineddimensionsofdiversity(i.e.,
race,gender)insport,includingtheracialidentitydevelopmentandcollegeadjustmentofAfricanAmericanfootball
playersandtherelationshipbetweengenderrolesocializationandpsychosocialfunctioningamongstudent-athletes,
withoutcomesrelatingtobothonthe ield(i.e.,cheating,
antisocialon- ieldbehaviors,sportspersonship)andoffthe
ield(i.e.,bullying,psychologicalwell-being,help-seeking
stigma,bodyimage)issues.Ihavealsopublishedresearch
thatexploresthedeleteriouspsychologicaleffectsofNativethemedsportsmascots,nicknames,andlogos(e.g.,Redskins,Indians,FightingSioux).Ihavebeenaskedtogive
presentationsacrossthecountryinanefforttopromote
criticalthinkingaboutthisissue,andIwasrecentlyinvited
toprovidetestimonytotheUSSenateCommitteeonIndian
AffairsfortheirOversightHearingonStolenIdentities:The
impactofRacistStereotypesonIndigenousPeople.
3.Whatinspiredyourinterestsintheseareasofpracticeandresearch?
Ibelievethatforaresearchertobefullyengagedinatopic,
youhaveto indabalancebetweenpersonalandprofessionalinterests.Toomuchpersonalengagementcanrunthe
riskofbecomingenmeshedwiththecontent,whichcan
makeinterpretivedecisionsmoredif icult.Andtoolittle
personalengagementcanmakethelongandoftenarduous
researchprocessdif iculttoendureandcomplete.Forme,
mypersonalexperiencesasanathleteinformmyprofessionalinterests(e.g.,research,clinicalwork)insportpsychologywherewelookto indwaystoimprovethepsychosocialfunctioningofstudent-athletes.Furthermore,mypersonalexperienceswithmyAmericanIndianfamily,friends,
andcommunityhasin luencedmyconsciousnessaboutthe
deleteriousimpactthatNative-themedmascots,nicknames,
andlogoscanhaveonallmembersofsociety.Thesepersonalexperienceshaveprovidedmewiththeopportunityto
observeandcriticallyre lectuponissuesrelatedtosocial
injustice,stereotyping,andthepsychosocialfunctioningof
marginalizedgroupsofpeopleinsociety.Myprofessional
identityasaCounselingPsychologistprovidesmewiththe
responsibilitytoengageinsocialjusticeendeavorswhich
providemewiththeopportunitytogivevoicetotheexperienceofthosewhoaredisenfranchisedinthisprocess.
4.Whataresomeofyourcurrentprojects?
Inoneproject,weareexaminingtheracialattitudesexpressedonFacebooktowardAmericanIndians,basedon
thepresenceofaNative-basedsportsnicknameandlogo.
Wepreviouslyfoundinterestingresultsaboutthistopicon
onlineforums,butwanttoexamineanotherprominentsocialnetworkingoutlet(i.e.,Facebook)toseeifdifferinglevelsofanonymityyielddifferentresults.Wearealsoengaginginacontextualexaminationofmen'sattitudesabout
expressingaffectiontowardothermen.Weareusingthe
uniquedomainoffootballtoexaminetheuniqueparadoxof
homophobiaexistingwithinacontextthatfacilitatesand
encouragesman-on-manexpressionsofaffection.These
currentprojectsrepresentextensionsofpastworkwehave
done,andwearealsostartingsomeprojectslookingatbullying,bodyimage,andsubstanceabuseamongstudentJESSE STEINFELDT continued on page 10
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JESSE STEINFELDT continued from page 9
athletes.
5.Ihaveheardyouspeakbeforeaboutyourracial
identityandhowitrelatestoyourwork.Wouldyou
speakbrie lyaboutthat?
Myintersectingidentities--whetheritbebasedonmyrace,
mygender,mysexualorientation,orother--signi icantly
in luencehowIseetheworld.Ithinkthatisimportantto
understandthelensesthroughwhichyouseetheworld,
particularlythedynamicand luidnatureofthesecognitive
processes.Myemergingsenseofracialidentityin luences
myworkbyinformingmyperspectivesabout
theworldviewofthosewhoseexperiencesdifferfrommine.
Ithinkthatbeingopentotheexperiencesofothers(asopposedtoattemptingtoforcefullyassimilatenewinformationintooldschemas)canhelpmeappropriatelyframe
theresultsofmyempiricalinvestigations.ThisisparticularlyimportantinthequalitativeresearchthatIdo,butappliestoallofmyprofessionalendeavors.
6.Whatisyourfavoritethingaboutyourjob?
Theautonomyofbeingafacultymemberisthemostimpressivefeature,particularlywhenyouhavechildrenwho
areactiveinmultipleactivities.Idonothavetoaskmyboss
togetoutofworkearlytocoachmykids'sportsteams,to
attendtheiractivities,ortospendtimewithmyfamily.Iam
highlyproductive,butIcandosoonmyownterms.
7.Whatdoyouliketodoforfun?
Ilovespendingtimewithmyfamily,andwefrequentlytraveltoWisconsinandMichigansothatourkidscanseetheir
grandparentsandextendedfamilies.Also,Iliketotryto
stayinshape,soIamanavidnoonhourhoopster.Iamfortunateenoughtoplayinastandingpickupbasketballgame
withIUcoachesandathleticstaffontheHoosiers’Assembly
Brief Biography of Interviewer
Angela Horn is currently a first-year
doctoral student in counseling psychology at Indiana University. She
received her B.A. in History from
Oberlin College in Ohio and her
M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from
the University of Louisville. Her research interests include psychotherapy, the intersectionality of identity as it
relates to stereotypes and understanding the risk and protective factors of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth.
HallcourtonTuesdaysandThursdays.Itisamazingto
playunderthose5championshipbannersonaregular
basis.
8.Howdoyoubalanceeverythingyoudo,suchas
therapy,research,service,teaching,andlifeoutsideof
work?
1 IstrivetogivemybesteffortineverythingthatIdo,
butIdorecognizeandownmyinherentlimitations,soI
trytoworkinthatspacebetween.Workingsmartisas
importantasworkinghard,andIamatpeacewithnot
beingableto'doitall.'Plus,Iliketokeepthingsinperspective—myjobisveryimportant,butmyfamilyclearly
comes irst.IampositivethatIwillnotlookbackonthese
yearsandwishthatIspentmoretimeintheof iceand
awayfrommyfamily,particularlyasmythreekidsgrow
quicklybeforemyeyes.
9.Whatadvicedoyouhaveforgraduatestudents?
Donotassumethatsomethingmaynotsuityouunlessyou
havetriedit.Itiseasytobeintimidatedbytheunknown,
sodon'tprematurelyforecloseoptionswithoutmorecompleteinformationtohelpyoumakeaninformedchoice.
Thisadviceispersonallysalient,soIpracticewhatI
preach:asagraduatestudent,IadmittedlyNEVERthought
Iwouldwanttobeafacultymemberatatop-tierDivisionI
researchinstitution....onlybecauseIdidn'tthinkIwould
likeresearchorbegoodatit...untilIrealizedthatIcould
successfullyexploreresearchquestionsthatwerepersonallyandprofessionallyrelevanttowhoIam,whereIcome
from,andwhatIwanttobecome.SobecauseIdidnot
prematurelyforeclosethisoption,Ihavethebestjobinthe
world.
Brief Biography of Associate Editor
Cara Maffini, M.A., is a third year doctoral
student in the Counseling Psychology
program at Indiana University. She received her B.A.S. in Psychology and
Dance from UC Davis, and her M. A. in
Psychology from CSU Sacramento.
Cara’s research interests lie in multicultural issues, particularly among Asian American adolescents. She is interested in ethnic identity development as well as biculturalism. She has also
been looking at risk and protective factors among ethnic minority youth, related to violent behaviors and victimization.
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PSYCHOLOGISTS-IN-TRAINING
Dianna González & Laura Côté
Promoting social justice
through communitybased collaborations:
Women’s Intercultural Center and
New Mexico State University
Counselingpsychologistshavebeenurgedtoapproach
theirworkfromamoresystems-based,socialjustice
-orientedperspective(Boyd-Franklin,2003;Vera
& Speight, 2003). A growing consensus suggests that prevention efforts should be culturallycompetentandbasedinanunderlyingsocialjusticeagenda(Adams,2007;
Hageetal.,2007;Vera&Speight,2003).A
systems-based, social-justice, prevention orientedapproachplacespsychologistsattheforefront as community partners and advocates for
socialchange(Adams,2007).Thisframeworkencourages psychologists to take on multiple roles, especially
when working with historically marginalized groups
(Hopps&Liu,2005;Lopez-Baez&Paylo,2009).Ascounselingpsychologists-in-trainingwearecommittedtothedevelopment of a multi-faceted professional identity to working
with historically marginalized communities. We share our
experiences to promote social justice through communitybasedcollaborationsinthisarticle.
National professional mental health organizations and
scholars have called on clinicians to provide linguistically,
culturally,andethicallycompetentservicestoLatina/oand
Spanish-speakingcommunities(APA,1990;Sue,Arredondo,
&McDavis,1992;Schwartz&Domenech-Rodriguez,2010).
Latinas/os encompass the most rapidly growing minority
group in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006). Despitetremendouspopulationgrowth,accesstophysicaland
mental healthcare services remains limited for Latinas/os
(Verdinelli & Biever, 2009). Systemic, social, and economic
inequalities and stressors serve as environmental barriers
toreceivingcare(NationalCouncilofLaRaza,2004).Stressors on the mental and physical health of Latinas/os may
consist of historical racism and present-day discrimination
(Veraetal.,2007),lackofhealthinsurance,andshortagesof
culturallyandlinguisticallycompetenthealthcareproviders
(National Council of La Raza, 2004; Torres & Cernada,
2003).
Within the state of New Mexico, the Health Resources and
ServicesAdministrationHealthProfessionalShortageDatabase(2010)reportedthat32ofthe33NewMexicancounties experience at least partial mental health professional
shortages. Several of these counties demonstrate serious
shortages,withHealthProfessionalShortageAreascoresof
18 or higher (in a 1-25 range). The need for linguistically
andculturallycompetentmentalhealthprofessionalsisurgentinthisregion(Schwartz,DomenechRodriguez,Santiago-Rivera,Arredondo,&Field,2010),asNewMexicohas
manyLatina/o,Spanish-speakingcommunities(Shin&
Kominski, 2007). Our collaboration with the Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC) grew out of the
desiretocreateapartnershipwithacommunity-basedorganizationinanefforttoaddress
this need. Several scholars report that
direct collaboration with community
organizations may promote culturallyrelevant prevention efforts and cultivate
transformative client-family-community alliances (Bond & Carmola Hauf, 2007; Vera et al.,
2007; Reese & Vera, 2007; Rivera-Mosquera, Phillips, Castelino, Martin, Mowry Dobran, 2007). We
sought an opportunity to learn and grow through community collaboration and counseling practice, while promoting social justice issues and addressing the disparities
encountered by Latina/o and Spanish-speaking communitiesinNewMexico’sborderregion.
WInC is a community center that aims to “provide a place
forwomentolearnandworktogethertodeveloptheirsocial, spiritual, economic, and political potential” (WInC,
2010). Members participate in classes and workshops,createandselltheirownartwork,developbusinessstrategies,
work towards citizenship, partake in celebrations and performances, develop language skills, and frequently transitionintoemploymentandleadershippositions.WInCserves
animportantrole,asthecommunityinwhichitexistsfaces
numerouschallengesduetosystemicandsocialinequalities
(i.e., lack of linguistically and culturally competent
healthcareservices,immigrationissues,discrimination,limitedsupportnetworks,etc.).OurpartnershipwithWInChas
offered us the opportunity to grow personally and professionallyassocialjusticeadvocatesandbilingualcounseling
psychologists-in-training. We feel fortunate to have been
welcomedbythiscommunityandforthisopportunity.
We irstdevelopedourrelationshipwithWInCduringFebruary 2010 by connecting with the executive director. In
collaborationwiththeexecutivedirectorweconcludedthat
wewouldengageininformalconversationswithcommunitymemberstodeterminetheneedforservices.Welearned
PSYCHOLOGIST IN TRAINING continued on page 12
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PSYCHOLOGIST IN TRAINING continued from page 11
thattherewasaninterestinpsychologicalservices,speci ically individual, group and family services. We began
providingindividualandfamilycounselingtowomen,men,
adolescents, and children in both Spanish and English. We
workedwithWInCstafftocreateacon identialreferralsystem to protect the privacy of clients. Consistent with the
mission of WInC, we utilized an integrative approach and
incorporated aspects of relational-cultural, multicultural,
feminist,interpersonal,systems,andhumanistictheoryinto
counseling sessions. Brief and long-term therapy was provided,andwereceivedoff-sitesupervisiononaweeklybasisbyabilinguallicensedpsychologist.
We began offering Spanish-language group counseling services during March 2010. The groups focused on themes
selectedbygroupmembers,suchasfamilycommunication,
grief and loss, and stress and self-care. Based on our theoretical approach, we emphasized the value of each group
member andtheir personal histories,knowledge,thoughts,
andfeelings.Asco-facilitators,weattemptedtobeparticularly mindfulin takingtherealities of social identity,privilege, andoppression intoaccount. Indoingso, we engaged
ininterpersonaldialoguewithgroupmemberssurrounding
issues of language and other elements of social identity,
suchasageandethnicity.
OnJanuary2011,wecollaboratedwithWInCstaffindevelopingamentalhealthpromotora(communityhealthworker) program to further address mental health disparities
within the community. The promotora model places value
onthelivedexperiencesasknowledge,andrecognizeslocal
strengthsandresourcesascrucialtocommunityempowerment (Torres & Cernada, 2003). As co-facilitators of this
training program, we sought to create a space for participantstoshareandutilizetheirownknowledgeandexperiences,whilelearningaboutthepromotionofmentalhealth
intheircommunitiesandfamilies.Programthemesincluded
mental health/illness stereotypes and myths, ecological/
systems approaches to wellness, self-care and stressreduction, community outreach and resources, and client
rights.Thepromotoraswereencouragedtodeveloppresentations that they could present at a Community Mental
Healthand Wellness Conference held atWInC duringApril
2011. The promotoras designed and presented a total of
sevenpresentationsonthemesrelatedtofamilycommunication, bereavement, Latinos and mental health, and selfesteem. The promotoras continue to provide outreach serviceswithintheircommunitiesandfamiliesbothinformally
andformally.Wehavelearnedagreatdealthroughworkingwiththepromotoras,andhavedeeplyvaluedthisexperience.
As counseling psychologists-in-training, we sought an opportunity to learn and grow through community engagementandcounselingpractice.Thepromotionofsocialjusticewasalsoaprimarygoalinthedevelopmentofthispartnership. The partnership with WInC offered us opportunitiesforgrowthonbothpersonalandprofessionallevelsand
feelthatourworkatWInCprovideduswithsupportinthe
lifelong development of cultural and linguistic competencies.Bond&Carmola-Hauf(2007)highlightthatinthisprocess [of community collaboration] both communities and
professionalsareaffected.Wearecurrentlyworkingtoensure the sustainability and continued growth of these programs. We have collaborated with WInC staff to develop a
mentalhealthcounselinginternship/ ieldworkopportunity
for counseling and school psychology students in our department. We are also hoping to organize a monthly outreachservices led bythemental health promotoras,NMSU
bilingual faculty members, anda Spanish-speaking counselor-traininggroupwehelpedorganize.Wearealsoholding
monthly meetings with the mental health promotoras to
offer them additional support and resources, and to cocreate a newsletter article about their experiences as promotoras.
References
Adams,E.(2007).Movingfromcontemplationtopreparation:Is
counselingpsychologyreadytoembraceculturallyresponsive
prevention?TheCounselingPsychologist,35,840-849.
AmericanPsychologicalAssociation(1990).GuidelinesforProvidersofPsychologicalServicestoEthnic,Linguistic,andCulturally
DiversePopulations.Retrievedfromhttp://www.apa.org/pi/
oema/resources/policy/provider-guidelines.aspx.
Boyd-Franklin,N.(2003).Blackfamiliesintherapy:Understanding
theAfricanAmericanexperience(2nded.).NewYork:Guilford
Press.
Constantine,M.G.,Hage,S.M.,Kindaichi,M.M.,&Bryant,R.M.
(2007).Socialjusticeandmulticulturalissues:Implications
forthepracticeandtrainingofcounselorsandcounseling
psychologists.JournalofCounselingandDevelopment,85,2429.
Hage,S.M.,Romano,J.L.,Conyne,R.K.,Kenny,M.,Matthews,C.,
Schwartz,J.P.,&Waldo,M.(2007).Bestpracticeguidelines
onpreventionpractice,research,training,andsocialadvocacy
forpsychologists.TheCounselingPsychologist,35,493-566.
HealthResourcesandServicesAdministration(HRSA).(2010).
HealthProfessionalShortageDatabase.[Online].Retrieved
fromhttp://hpsa ind.hrsa.gov/.
PSYCHOLOGIST IN TRAINING continued on page 13
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PSYCHOLOGIST IN TRAINING continued from page 13
Hopps,J.A.&Liu,W.M.(2005)Workingforsocialjusticefrom
withinthehealthcaresystem.InRebeccaToporek,Lawrence
H.Gerstein,NadyaA.Fouad,DeanGargiRoysircar-Sodowksy,
&TaniaIsrael(eds.).HandbookforSocialJusticeinCounseling
Psychology:Leadership,Vision,andAction(pp.318-333).Sage
Publications,Inc.
Lopez-Baez,S.I.&Paylo,M.J.(2009).Socialjusticeadvocacy:Communitycollaborationandsystemsadvocacy.JournalofCounseling&Development,87,276-283.
NationalCounciloftheRaza.(2004).ThestateofHispanicAmerica:LatinoperspectivesontheAmericanagenda.Retrieved
fromhttp://www.nclr.org/images/uploads/
publications/1399_ ile_Stateo_04_LatinoPers_1.pdf.
Schwartz,A.,DomenechRodrı́guez,M.M.,Santiago-Rivera,A.L.,
Arredondo,P.&Field,L.D.(2010).Culturalandlinguistic
competence:Welcomechallengesfromsuccessfuldiversi ication.ProfessionalPsychology:ResearchandPractice,41,210220.
Shin,H.B.&Kominski,R.A.(2007).LanguageUseintheUnited
States.AmericaCommunitySurveyReports.U.S.CensusBureau,Washington,DC.
Sue,D.W.,Arredondo,P.,&McDavis,R.J.(1992).Multicultural
counselingcompetenciesandstandards:Acalltotheprofession.JournalofCounselingandDevelopment,70,477-486.
Torres,M.I.,&Cernada,G.P.(2003).CulturallandscapesandculturalbrokersofsexualandreproductivehealthinU.S.Latino
andLatinAmericanpopulations.InM.I.Torres&G.P.Cernada(Eds.),SexualandreproductivehealthpromotioninLatino
populations:CasestudiesacrosstheAmericas(pp.1-24).Amityville,NY:BaywoodPublishingCompany,Inc.
UnitedStatesCensusBureau.(2006).HispanicsintheUnited
States.Retrievedfromhttp://www.census.gov/population/
www/socdemo/hispanic/hispanic_pop_presentation.html.
Vera,E.M.,Caldwell,J.,Clarke,M.,Gonzales,R.,Morgan,M.,&West,
M.(2007).TheChoicesProgram:Multisystemicinterventions
forenhancingthepersonalandacademiceffectivenessofurbanadolescentsofcolor.TheCounselingPsychologist,35,779
-796.
Vera,E.M.,&Speight,A.L.(2003).Multiculturalcompetence,socialjustice,andcounselingpsychology:Expandingourroles.
TheCounselingPsychologist,31,253-272.
Verdinelli,S.,&Biever,J.L.(2009).Spanish-Englishbilingualpsychotherapists:Personalandprofessionallanguagedevelopmentanduse.CulturalDiversityandEthnicMinorityPsychology,15,230-242.
Women’sInterculturalCenter(2010).Mission,vision,andvalues.
Retrievedfromhttp://www.womensinterculturalcenter.org/
mission.html.
Dianna Marisol González, EdM & Laura M. Côté, MA
Dianna is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at New
Mexico State University. She completed her undergraduate education at the University
of California, Los Angeles majoring in Psychology and minoring in Women's Studies
and Education, and her Masters in Psychological Counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research interests include multicultural and bilingual counseling
competencies, culturally responsive prevention and social justice advocacy, and trauma
and healing in the Latino community.
Laura is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at New
Mexico State University. She completed her undergraduate education at Boston University majoring in Psychology and Women's
Studies, and her Masters in Latin American Studies at San Diego State University. Her research interests include culturally responsive prevention and social justice advocacy, bilingual (Spanish-English) counseling issues, and trauma and healing.
The
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Cultural Expressions
Review: Modern Family
By Karen Kegel
Justthreeseasonsin,ABCsitcomModernFamily(http://
abc.go.com/shows/modern-family)hasgeneratedsubstantialbuzzeversinceits2009debut.Thoughalighthearted
andoftensarcasticcomedy,theshowconsistentlybringsup
issuesofrace,ethnicity,andintersectingidentitiesascore
storylineelements.Itstaglineevensaysasmuch:“Onebig
(straight,gay,multicultural,traditional)happyfamily.”
Theshowfollowsthebumbling,buttypicallywellintentioned,interactionsofthreesubsystemsinanextendedfamily:White,heterosexualcoupleClaireandPhilwith
theirthreebiologicalchildren(Haley,Alex,andLuke);
WhitegaycoupleMitchell(Claire’sbrother)andCameron
withtheiradopteddaughterLily(borninVietnam);and
interracialheterosexualcoupleJay(White;fatherofClaire
andMitchell)andGloria(a irst-generationColombian)with
Manny,Gloria’schildfromapreviousmarriage.Drawing
inspirationfromthisrelativelydiversefamilymakeup(at
leastformainstreamtelevision),ModernFamilyconstantly
confrontsviewerswithcross-culturalgive-and-take.
Theserieswalksa inelinebetweendisplayinggrowthfrom
culturalmisunderstandingsandusingrace/ethnicityasa
meanstocomedicends.Inoneepisode,“Fears,”Mitchell
andCameroninviteLily’spediatriciantobrunchattheir
home,partlytomakeupforabad irstimpression(read:
unwittinglymicroaggressive)duringadoctor’svisit.To
theirdismay,babyLilyappearstoutterher irstword—
“Mommy”—inthepresenceofDr.Miura,anAsianAmerican
woman.Thecoupleworriesaloudthattheymightnotbe
enoughforLily:theirdaughtermaydearlymissearlyattachmentswithVietnamesewomenatherorphanage.Dr.
Miuraassuresthemotherwiseandalsodisclosesthather
relationshipwithherownmother,a irst-generationJapaneseAmericanwoman,haslongbeenstrained.“Theonly
waymymotherwilleverbehappywithmeisifI'msome
Asianstereotype.Andthatjustisn'tme,”shestatesde initively.Momentslater,MitchellandCameronwatchasDr.
Miurabacksoutofthedrivewayerratically,crashinginto
garbagecansandspeedingoff.Thispush-pullofconstructing,deconstructing,andsometimesreconstructingstereotypesandbiasesisattheveryessenceofModernFamily.
Indeed,therealvalueoftheshowmaylieinitsabilityto
inviteviewerstofeeluncomfortablewithbothovertand
covertbiases—withinthecomfortable,predictableholding
spaceofsitcomcomedy.
Itisalsointerestingtoconsidersomelargerstatementsthe
showmightbemakingaboutthecountry’schangingculturalfabric.Forinstance,in“UndecktheHalls,”Jayintroduces
stepsonMannytohisfamily’slong-held,dominant-culture
Christmastraditions(e.g.,watchingMiracleon34thStreet).
WhenMannytriestoshareColombianholidaytraditions
withJay,however,hisattemptsaremetwithstubbornresistance.Butbytheendoftheepisode,Jaycomesaroundto
embracethepranksand ireworksMannysowantstosee
re lectedinhisseasonalcelebrations.Inthisandseveral
otherepisodes,ModernFamilygoesbeyondone-sidedacculturationtodemonstratehowwholesystems—inthis
caseafamily,butapossiblemicrocosmoflargersystems—
canbene itfrommulticulturalopenness.
Ofcourse,beingasitisamajornetworksitcom,Modern
Familyismorededicatedtoentertainmentandratingsthan
psychoeducation.Ithasitsfaults—anditcertainlyrunsthe
riskofperpetuatingstereotypesinviewerswhotakeinits
humoruncritically.Buttheseriessucceedsinsparkinginterestingdiscussionsanddialogue,includingonculture
blogseagertoreviewitsrepresentationsofraceandethnicity.Forsomeadditionalthoughtsandreactions,checkout
Racialicious(http://www.racialicious.com/2011/06/07/gchattin%E2%80%99-modern-family-%E2%80%9Ctwomonkeys-and-a-panda%E2%80%9D-tv-correspondenttryout/)andCulturalLearnings(http://culturallearnings.com/2010/11/10/the-construction-of-race-inmodern-familys-second-season).
Brief Author Biography
Karen Kegel is a third-year doctoral
student in the Counseling Psychology
program at Lehigh University. She
completed her undergraduate education at Boston College majoring in
Psychology and English, and her Master's in Counseling at Wake Forest
University. Her research interests include diversity attitudes,
promoting multicultural understanding, and the counseling
needs of international college students, Asian American
individuals, and religious minority individuals.
The
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The Society of Counseling Psychology’s Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity Newsletter Winter 2012
p 15
Factor
ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Compiled by Felicia Fisher
2011SocietyofCounselingPsychology
Awards
Congratulationstothe2011recipientsofthe
SocietyofCounselingPsychologyAwards:
LeonaTylerAward:MarkL.Savickas,Ph.D
FritzandLinnKuderEarlyCareerScientist/PractitionerAward:JonathanSchwartz,
Ph.D.
DorothyBoozBlackAwardforOutstanding
AchievementinCounselingHealth
Psychology:EverettL.Worthington,Ph.D.
JohnHollandAwardforOutstanding
AchievementinCareerandPersonality
Research:DonnaE.Schultheiss,Ph.D.
JohnD.BlackAwardforOutstanding
AchievementinthePracticeofCounseling
Psychology:
ArmandR.Cerbone,Ph.D.
SocialJusticeAward:EtionyAldarondo,Ph.D.
BarbaraA.KirkAward:MelanieBrewster
DonaldE.SuperFellowship:PattonO.
Garriott
MulticulturalPsychology:Understanding
OurDiverseCommunities
The3rdeditionof“MulticulturalPsychology:
UnderstandingourDiverseCommunities”by
JefferyMio,LoriBacker-Hackett,andJaydee
TumambingisnowavailablethroughOxford
UniversityPress.Pleasenotethatthisisa
changefromMcGraw-HillPublishers.
AwardsandContests
SocietyofCounselingPsychology:Callfor
StudentNominations
NominationDeadline:February15th
TheBarbaraA.KirkAward
TheBarbaraA.KirkAwardispresentedtoa
studentwhohasproducedoutstanding
research.Inordertobeeligiblefortheaward,
thestudenthastohaveconductedthe
independentresearchwhileenrolledina
counselingpsychologydoctoralprogram,and
thestudentmustalsobetheprincipleauthor
oftheresearch.
TheDonaldE.SuperFellowship
TheDonaldE.SuperFellowshipisintendedto
supportdissertationresearchonatopic
relatedtocareerdevelopment.Studentswho
areenrolledinacounselingpsychologyprogramareeligibleforthefellowship.
Formoreinformationregardingthe
requirementsforapplyingtoTheBarbaraA.
KirkAwardortheDonaldE.SuperFellowship,
pleasevisithttp://www.div17.org/
about_awards_div17.html.
PositivePsychologySectionAward
Nominations
Recognizeanindividualwhohasmadea
contributiontothe ieldofPositivePsychology
bynominatingthemforthePositive
PsychologySectionAward.Tolearnaboutthe
prizesandreceivemoreinformationonhow
tonominatesomeone,pleasevisithttp://
www.div17pospsych.com/
NominationDeadline:March15th
FutureofCounselingPsychology
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Contest
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opportunitytowin$1000!
Foralistofpossiblethemes,judging
informationandothercontestdetails,please
visithttp://www.div17.org/
stg_counselingvideo.html
Deadline:May15th
UpcomingEvents
2012WinterRoundtableConference
BeyondBorders:TransformingLivesthrough
TraditionsandInnovations
February24-25,inNewYork,NY
http://www.tc.edu/roundtable/
AcknowledgingOurSimilarities,CelebratingOurDifferences
11thAnnualDiversityInstitute
April20,inHouston,TXattheUniversityof
HoustonintheMDAndersonRockwell
Pavilion.
Formoreinformation,pleasecontactDr.
[email protected]
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Byprovidinghands-onexperience,ATIs
provideresearchers,faculty,advanced
graduatesandpost-docswiththeopportunity
tolearnaboutthemostcurrentmethodologies
andtechnologiesinavarietyofareas.
StructuralEquationModelinginLongitudinal
Research
May29-June2,attheUniversityofCalifornia,
Davis
Applicationdeadline:March20th
ExploratoryDataMininginBehavioralResearch
June4-8,attheUniversityofCalifornia,Davis
Applicationdeadline:March20th
ResearchMethodswithDiverseRacialand
EthnicGroups
June11-15,atMichiganStateUniversity
Applicationdeadline:March27th
NonlinearMethodsforPsychologicalScience
June18-22,attheUniversityofCincinnati
Applicationdeadline:March27th
Fees,lodgingand inancialaidvarybetween
institutes.Pleasevisithttp://www.apa.org/
science/resources/ati/index.aspxformore
information.
RegionalConferences
2012GreatLakesCounselingPsychology
Conference
March23-24,atPurdueUniversity,IN
http://www.edst.purdue.edu/greatlakes/
index.html
The
Diversity
The Society of Counseling Psychology’s Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity Newsletter Winter 2012
p 16
Factor
Brief Biography of Associate Editor—Announcements & Achievements
Felicia Fisher is a first-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Houston. She completed her undergraduate education at Fisk University majoring in English, and her Masters in Educational Psychology at Georgia State University. Her research interests
are African American women's identity development and African American male/female relations.
Brief Biography of Associate Editor—Layout & Design
Hartini Abdul-Rahman is fifth-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at
Western Michigan University. She completed her undergraduate education at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) with a Bachelors of Science with Education in Guidance Counseling and a
minor in Information Technology. She completed her Masters in Counseling Psychology in 2005
at Western Michigan University. Her research interests are biculturalism, career counseling and
vocational psychology, culturally responsive prevention and intervention, international students
and immigrants in higher education, and campus-wide suicide prevention.