Severing White Supremacy

As healers, citizens, and those who stand firmly for the liberation, well-being, and freedom of all beings, we—therapists at the Center for Family Well-Being—stand in solidarity with Black, Brown, and Indigenous People of Color (BBIPOC) in our clear intention to speak out against systemic racism and white supremacy. In addition to our words and voices, we commit to action. Too many have died because of the brutality of white supremacist violence, and we know that our silence is complicity. We vow not to be silent.

We recognize this work begins with our own willingness to take an internal journey—to look squarely and directly at our own areas of discomfort, stuck-ness, bias, and the ways in which we as individuals unconsciously enact a role in a play, as Isabel Wilkerson so powerfully states in her book “Caste,” in which “none of us are ourselves.”

And while a piece of this work lies in the psychological realm, a no less critical piece of the work lies in the ways that we can act and heal through reparations to our community and our society. We commit to supporting those who have experienced oppression and trauma due to systemic racism.

As a Center we commit to the following:

  • We commit to deep discovery and reflection within ourselves to uproot our ignorance and unconscious bias—whether it’s racism, sexism, misogyny, or heterosexism. We recognize our imperfections, yet as therapists, we know deeply the value of doing our own work on ourselves—and we will do it.

  •  We commit as therapists and as a Center to expand—through trainings, education, and workshops—our ability to become a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive Center. We recognize this is long-term work.

  •  We will reach out to (and hope to partner with) BBIPOC community mental health providers in Washington, DC, to discern how we as a Center can be helpful and effective allies.

  •  We commit to financially support BBIPOC individuals and organizations—such as The Loveland Foundation therapy fund—to further opportunities and healing to communities of color, especially to black women and girls.

May we transmute the poisons of racism, violence, and white supremacy to skillful action, compassion, and true justice for all.  May it begin with us—heart-to heart.