10/30/2021
American Psychological Association
October 29, 2021
Dear APA Members,
We are reaching out to share news about a historic moment for APA and the field of psychology.
During its October 29 meeting, our APA Council of Representatives adopted an apology for APA’s role—and the role of the discipline of psychology—in contributing to systemic racism. The apology acknowledges that APA “failed in its role leading the discipline of psychology, was complicit in contributing to systemic inequities, and hurt many through racism, racial discrimination, and denigration of people of color, thereby falling short on its mission to benefit society and improve lives.”
The resolution, which passed unanimously, acknowledges that the association should have apologized sooner. “APA, and many in psychology, have long considered such an apology, but failed to accept responsibility,” the resolution says.
The APA Council of Representatives also adopted two accompanying resolutions, one delineating APA’s and psychology’s role going forward in dismantling systemic racism and the other pledging to work to advance health equity in psychology. The former directs APA’s CEO to develop a long-term plan to prioritize, operationalize and ensure accountability for achieving real action toward the goals identified in the resolutions. This plan is to be presented to the Council at its meeting in August 2022.
These three resolutions reflect a monumental undertaking involving a broad cross-section of APA’s members, including our elected and appointed leaders. The work was spearheaded by the APA Task Force on Strategies to Eradicate Racism, Discrimination, and Hate and its five-member Apology Advisory Subcommittee and the APA Presidential Task Force on Psychology and Health Equity, all composed of eminent psychologists who were chosen for their knowledge and expertise.
The apology and dismantling racism resolutions represent a significant milestone in APA’s commitment and promise to examine the role that the field of psychology and the association itself have played in promoting and sustaining racial inequity. By affirming these resolutions as association policies, APA is in a much more informed position to take meaningful action, and ultimately, diversify and strengthen the organization and field of psychology.
The apology and resolutions are just the beginning of the work we must do to eradicate racism and discrimination within our field and build an equitable and diverse discipline. This requires our membership and profession to work together as allies.
We want to engage our members, learn from your lived experience, and harness the research you conduct, the services you provide and the advocacy in which you engage. We invite you to join us for one or more of the following member town halls to learn more about these historic resolutions and to share your ideas.
MEMBER TOWN HALLS
November 4 at 6:00 PM ET (REGISTER HERE)
November 9 at 11:30 AM ET (REGISTER HERE)
November 15 at 12:00 PM ET (REGISTER HERE)
The town halls are an important part of this ongoing dialogue, and we look forward to your participation.
As psychologists, we have the power to bring about profound change—not only to our field but also to our broader world.
Sincerely,
APA Board of Directors
Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP
President
Frank C. Worrell, PhD
President-elect
Sandra L. Shullman, PhD
Past President
Diana L. Prescott, PhD
Recording Secretary
Jean A. Carter, PhD
Treasurer
Arthur C. Evans, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President
Randall P. White, PhD
Council Leadership Team Chair
Eric M. Butter, PhD
Council Leadership Team Chair-Elect
Anthony L. Chambers, PhD, ABPP
Member-at-Large
Susan D. Clayton, PhD
Member-at-Large
M. Lynne Cooper, PhD
Member-at-Large
Candice N. Hargons, PhD
Member-at-Large
Pamela E. Scott-Johnson, PhD
Member-at-Large
Shannon Wiltsey Stirman, PhD
Member-at-Large
Blanka Angyal, MA, EdM, EdS
APAGS Member
Robin E. Mockenhaupt, PhD
Public Member
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