And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 14:12:11 -0500
>From: Robert Eurich <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>From: "Mary Clearing-Sky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Organization: MSU Counseling Center
>>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 11:23:55 -0500
>>Subject: draft of mascot letter
>>Priority: normal
>>
>>cornel and bruce:
>>
>>finally! we sent this off to apa monitor and focus and division 45.
>>feel free to quote the society of indian psychologists.
>>i must give credit to u-illinois counseling center for allowing us to
>>use their statement and just change it to fit us. it saved millions
>>of hours of work!
>>
>>
>>------------------------
>>We the undersigned members of the Society of Indian
>>Psychologists of the Americas, write this letter in
>>support of "retiring" all Indian personalities as the official
>>symbols and mascots of universities, colleges or schools (and
>>athletic teams) . We support doing so because of a variety of
>>concerns related to the ethical practice of psychology. As a
>>professional society of psychologists we operate under these
>>professional ethical guidelines.
>>
>>We are concerned that the continued use of Indian symbols
>>and mascots seriously compromises our ability to engage in
>>ethical professional practice and service to the campus (delete
>>campus if addressing all mascots) community. We believe that it
>>establishes an unwelcome academic environment for Indian
>>(students,staff, and faculty) and contributes to the miseducation of
>>all members of the (campus) community regarding the cultural
>>practices and traditions of an entire ethnic group. In our view, the
>>use of an historically and culturally inaccurate, stereotypic image
>>undermines the educational experience of all members of the
>>(University) community. It seems especially problematic for those who
>>have had little or no contact with Indian people and their
>>cultures.
>>
>>Stereotypical and historically inaccurate images of Indians in
>>general interfere with learning about them by creating, supporting
>>and maintaining oversimplified and inaccurate views of indigenous
>>peoples and their cultures. When stereotypical representations are
>>taken as factual information, they contribute to the development of
>>cultural biases and prejudices, (clearly a contradiction to the
>>educational mission of the University.) In the same vein,
>>we believe that continuation of the use of Indians as symbols
>>and mascots is incongruous with the philosophy espoused by many
>>Americans as promoting inclusivity and diversity.
>>
>>We understand that some affiliated with the institutions
>>having a long history of use of these symbols may have a special
>>attachment to them. We also understand and believe that this
>>attachment may not have been formed out of maliciousness or negative
>>intentions. To the extent, however, that tradition and/or economic
>>issues are major obstacles to change, they should not usurp the
>>principles of a society struggling to put an end to racism . What
>>once may have been a unifying symbols for the various bodies using
>>these symbols has become a source of cross-cultural conflict. In
>>light of all of these factors, we strongly support and encourage the
>>all such entities to develop a new symbol consistent with and
>>contributing to the positive realization of national principles (our
>>educational mission.)
>>
>>In support of our concern about the ethically problematic
>>nature of this issue for the professional practice of
>>psychology, we cite relevant portions of the "Ethical
>>Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" (American
>>Psychological Association [APA, 1992]) and the "Guidelines
>>for Providers of Psychological Services to Ethnic,
>>Linguistic and Culturally Diverse Populations" (APA, 1992).
>>
>>Principle D (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity) states: Psychologists
>>accord appropriate respect to the fundamental rights, dignity, and worth of
>>all people. They respect the rights of individuals to privacy,
>>confidentiality, self-determination, and autonomy, mindful
>>that legal and other obligations may lead to inconsistency
>>and conflict with the exercise of these rights.
>>Psychologists are aware of cultural, individual, and role
>>differences, including those due to age, gender, race,
>>ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
>>disability, language, and socioeconomic status.
>>Psychologists try to eliminate the effect on their work of
>>biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly
>>participate in or condone unfair discriminatory practices.
>>
>>Principle E (Concern for Others' Welfare) states:
>>Psychologists seek to contribute to the welfare of those
>>with whom they interact professionally. In their
>>professional actions, psychologists weigh the welfare and
>>rights of their patients or clients, students, supervisees,
>>human research participants, and other affected persons....
>>When conflicts occur among psychologists' obligations or
>>concerns, they attempt to resolve these conflicts and to
>>perform their roles in a responsible fashion that avoids or
>>minimizes harm. Psychologists are sensitive to real and
>>ascribed differences in power between themselves and others,
>>and they do not exploit or mislead other people during or
>>after professional relationships.
>>
>>Principle F (Social Responsibility) states: Psychologists
>>are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilites to the
>>community and the society in which
>>they work and live. They apply and make public their
>>knowledge of psychology in order to contribute to human
>>welfare. Psychologists are concerned about and work to
>>mitigate the causes of human suffering. When undertaking
>>research, they strive to advance human welfare and the
>>science of psychology. Psychologists try to avoid misuse of
>>their work. Psychologists comply with the law and encourage
>>the development of law and social policy that serve the
>>interests of their patients and clients and the public..
>>
>>In addition, several of the "Guidelines for Providers of
>>Psychological Services to Ethnic, Linguistic and Culturally
>>Diverse Populations" also address our concerns on this
>>issue.
>>
>># 5. Psychologists respect client's religious and/or
>>spritiual beliefs and values, including attributions and
>>taboos, since they affect world view, psychosocial
>>functioning, and expressions of distress.
>> a. Part of working in minority communities is to
>> become familiar with indigenous beliefs and practices
>>and respect them.
>>
>># 7. Psychologists consider the impact of adverse
>>social, environmental and political factors in assessing
>>problems and designing interventions.
>> b. Psychologists work within the cultural setting
>> to improve the welfare of all persons concerned, if there is
>>a
>>conflict between cultural values and human rights.
>>
>># 8. Psychologists attend to as well as work to eliminate biases,
>>prejudices, and discriminatory practices.
>> a. Psychologists acknowledge relevant discrimnatory
>> practices at the social and community level that may be
>>affecting the psychological welfare of the population being served."
>>
>>
>>We applaud the current efforts across the nation to have this crucial
>> issue raised and addressed in a responsible and productive way. It
>>is our hope this letter contributes to that effort.++++++++++++
>>++++++++++++++++=============+++++++++++++++
>>
>>
>>
>
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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