ADVOCATING MULTICULTURALISM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:

A  SYNTHESIS

PAUL PEDERSEN, EDITOR

 Back to list

 October 10, 2004 revision

http://soeweb.syr.edu/chs/pedersen

SYNTHESIS

This synthesis combines activities reported by Stuart Chen-Hayes , Allen Ivey, Mary Ivey, Miguel E. Gallardo, Patricia Arredondo, Jeffrey Scott Mio, Paul Pedersen, Pamela F. Foley, Lew Schlosseer, Rebecca Toporek, Helen Neville, Scott  Evans, Elizabetth Vera, Hugh Crether, Anthony Marsella, Bryan S.K. Kim Julie Dinsmore,  Gargi Roysircar-Sodowsky, Manny Casas, Mark Kiselica, Isaac Prilleltensky,  Tod Sloan, Mary Howard, Thomas  Parham, Carlos Zalaquett, Fred Bemak , Rita Chi-Ying Chung and Gisela Lin. The reported activities are organized into categories. As more people report, or amend their reports, additional categories may be added. The objective is to identify what is already being done to promote and advocate for multiculturalism and social justice.

Changing the Counselor Education Program:

CE programs are being changed to encourage school counselors as advocates, leaders, collaborators, culturally competent counselors, achieved equity in achievement, opportunity and attainments in a variety of ways. Several reported advocating for their local program to endorse the Multicultural Competencies. One colleague was faculty advisor to the student multicultural committee which raises funds to support student’s multicultural research. One doctoral  program requires evidence of at least a basic level of multicultural competence for admission. One reported a multicultural audit of the doctoral program by Nadya Fouad. All mentioned active involvement in promoting an awareness of social justice and multicultural issues in their departments.  Many reported adopting the Multicultural Competencies by their department. One reported that all faculty in Education and selected partner school faculty required training for 2 semesters or 45 hours in multicultural counseling. One reported forming a Diversity Strategic Mission Committee in their School of Education. One reported founding a Multicultural Center for Research and Practice. Responsible for establishing and implementing the Office of Campus Outreach Activities.  Two major goals of this office were to 1) increase the number of racial/ethnic minority students and faculty; 2) provide seed money for multiculturally focused research projects that could benefit targeted racial/ethnic minority groups. The faculty of the Department of Counselor Education are committed to

recruiting a diverse population of students who are representative of our increasingly multicultural society. As an expression of this commitment, the department held a focus group meeting on February 7, 1998 to develop a policy for recruiting students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and revised the policy on February 27, 2004. One new course at the Masters level is entitled, Counseling, Leadership, Social Change, and Advocacy.  In addition, every course includes components and a focus on social justice, multiculturalism, advocacy, and leadership.  On the Doctoral new courses that were added include, Advanced Multicultural Counseling, Advanced Group Counseling, Advanced Internship in Counseling Leadership, Advanced Internship in Multicultural Counseling, and Advanced Internship in Social Justice. 

Develop Curriculum Materials

Involved in the development of videos that could be used in diversity training programs on campus. Developed and/or taught required courses that focus on multicultural and social justice issues.  Example:  The Psychology of the Chicano, Social and Cultural Bases of Diversity, and, Racial/Ethnic Minority Counseling Interventions.  Have helped to increase the number of dissertations in our program that focus on multicultural issues and groups. One  collaborated with Dr. Michael D’Andrea to bring the National Institute for Multicultural Competence’s “Promoting Multicultural Competence and Social Justice.” national tour to USF.  I conduct several seminars each year on diversity related topics across the campus, including student clubs and organizations, the medical school, and for various units on campus

Research

 One colleague was just awarded a $1.4 million dollar grant to train all NYC elementary school counselors and principals. Another faculty reported a $900,000 grant for Equal Access to Higher Education, an 800,000 Platte Valley Corridor Grant to train K-12 teachers in ELL, a $63,000 National Youth Sports grant a $1.4 million Earmark grant to expand services Others are organizing surveys and focus groups among graduate students. Others are researching  the development of allies across demographic boundaries in the name of social justice. One program gives the MAKSS as a pre and post test to all MA students entering and graduating. One was writing a dissertation on Human Service organizations in social/community change and social justice. Another reported on working to revise the MAKSS.  Many reported doing research on multiculturally competent counseling strategies. One reported adapting the MCI and MSD along with acculturation measures such as AIRS, MMRS, CADC and INT-EXT ID for international multicultural use. Have submitted numerous grants through targetedd mental health and social service offices in the county. The reason for doing this is so that the service providing agencies receive the overhead monies freeing up other money for the provision of services to the needy.  From our end, the funds received via the grants are used for demonstration projects and for evaluation purposes.  To date we have been able to bring over $21 million to the county.

Library

One reported getting $50,000 to increase library holdings on multicultural resources and a 10% allocation of department library budget each year to multicultural books.

Language

One provided Spanish language training for area teachers and a Spanish language program for area elementary schools.

Ethics:

Several reported they were advocating to change professional ethical guidelines to acknowledge cultural differences and social justice issues.

Editorial Boards

Several reported active involvement on journal editorial boards to increase the numbers of articles on multiculturalism and social justice.

Teaching

Many reported teaching courses on school counseling, developmental, multicultural, family counseling and others to infuse multicultural and social justice into courses, field work supervision and internships of students. Many reported actively mentoring students and younger colleagues to emphasize multiculturalism and social justice.

Professional Organizations and Associations:

Several reported working with their local, state or national professional organization to infuse equity, social justice and multicultural awareness. Some were board members, president or past president of   professional organizations and all were otherwise active in professional organizations. One was co-founder of PsyACT (Psychologists acting with conscience together). Several reported being active in APA governance for divisions such as 17 and 45.  In Portland, we are organizing a local group of mental health professionals in conjunction with PsyACT (see www.psyact.org), which will be focusing on bringing attention to the interaction of poverty, discrimination, and mental health. One reported Chi Sigma Iota organized an annual day-long training on Social Justice issues for counseling. Changing Paradigms in Human Services Project Overview – July 2004 The overall goal of this project is to facilitate change in the human service sector of Nashville in order to prevent social and psychological problems, empower community residents to take control of their lives, address roots causes of problems, and improve the conditions that dictate quality of life for people who experience disadvantage. These changes would move the human service sector closer to a transformative paradigm, and further away from a merely ameliorative or reactive paradigm. While many agencies strive to accomplish these goals on their own, and may have had a modicum of success, they have expressed a need for help in furthering these changes and in documenting them. Rita is the Co-Chair of the ACA Human Rights Committee and working on planning a 2006 global conference in Singapore with a coalition of international Asian scholars and NGOs to address the trafficking of girls.  Fred is the Co-Chair of the Counselors for Social Justice Human Rights Committee, an Advisory Board member for the U. S. National Institute of Health Office of Minority Affairs Family and Community Violence Prevention Program, a member of the ACA International Committee, the APA Division 52 (International Psychology) representative to the Interdivisional Task Force on Immigrant Children, Youth and Families, and National Advisory Board to the National At-Risk Education Network. 

Competencies

All reported actively advocating for, teaching, implementing and writing about the importance of multicultural competencies for counselors.

Writing and Publication:

All reported that articles, chapters and books were in press  or  in preparation documenting the importance of multiculturalism and social justice issues. Several were organizing book series for Teachers College Press, Columbia University, Lahaska Houghton/Mifflin,  Erlbaum, Springer-Verlag, SAGE and Greenwood Press were publishing new books related to multiculturalism and social justice issues. One reported editing a Handbook on social justice and most others are also working on completing books on relevant topics. Several described their research on counseling and assessment.  One reported publications on how to internationalize the psychology curriculum. Several reported implementing an emphasis on multicultural in their Journal Editorial roles. One wrote an article for CToday to highlight the lessons learned from the experience of bringing the NIMC’s national tour to the Univeristy of South Florida. I occasionally contribute to local and national newspapers on social justice issues Recent articles include an article in JCD for a special women’s issue on international issues with women (Rita), forthcoming publications about advocacy and social justice and empowerment groups in the Professional School Counselor (Rita and Fred), a recent publication on teaching group work from a multicultural perspective, etc. In addition they have written recent book chapters on refugee psychosocial adjustment. 

Internet

Several reported developing websites (such as http://www.psyact.org or http://counsselorsforsocialjustice.org/newsletter.html and other listserves on social justice and multiculturalism. I’ve developed the following web pages to distribute information about diverse groups to students, professionals, and the general public: The Successful Latino Student web pages. (http://www.coedu.usf.edu/zalaquett/ls/lsss.html); Su Nombre es Hoy--His/Her Name is Today (http://www.coedu.usf.edu/zalaquett/hoy), and the Dr. Zalaquett's Multicultural Counseling for Diverse Populations web site (http://www.coedu.usf.edu/zalaquett/mcdp/m.htm).  I was wondering whether you could include my MC Center's

website, http://www.multiculturalcenter.org. It was the first

multicultural website in counseling psychology and related fields.  It's a  nationally ranked multicultural website. I have also created a link for the journal JMCD: http://www.mullticulturalceneter.org/amcd/index.htm.

Media:

Several reported contributing to the print and visual media , Public adio and Television with interviews, presentations and  extensive production of teaching materials relevant to multiculturalism and social justice issues. Fred recently was interviewed on the Travis Smiley NPR show about refugees

International

Several reported lectures, training workshops and  other international activities to promote multiculturalism and social justice issues globally.

Conferences

Several reported regular presentations at conferences like ACA, APA and others to promote multiculturalism and social justice. Several reported working on local festivals to highlight the importance of multiculturalism and social justice. Some indicated active involvement in organizing conferences on multicultural and social justice topics. One reported an annual supervision conference focused on multicultural issues in supervision. In Oregon, we are starting up a chapter of Oregon Counselors for Social

Justice in association with the CSJ division of the ACA, to work on developing advocacy and activism competencies among counselors. When I was a professor at Ball State University in Indiana, I helped to organize two state-side conferences for professionals about preventing teen pregnancy and helping teen parents. In Bucks County, I organized and participated in numerous “Man to Man” retreats in which 10 adult men would meet with groups of about 150 adolescent boys to discuss what it means to be a man, pressures to have sex, and sexually responsible

behavior. The latter retreats were featured in a documentary, “Man to Man,” which was aired on public television stations throughout the Middle Atlantic region.

Community development:

I am a member of the Steering Committee for the No Place for Hate Campaign of Newtown, Pennsylvania. The purpose of our committee is to promote  appreciation among people and to prevent and respond to hate. We have organized 3 major events in our town each of the past 3 years. For example, we held a forum on responding to a hate crime, have organized inter-faith discussion groups and pot-luck dinners, and sponsored a community-wide drive to eliminate bullying. The Anti-Defamation League named our organization a model program for Pennsylvania and we have received 3 citations of merit from the Newtown Board of Supervisors for our efforts. We have been featured in newspapers throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and on news broadcasts on several Philadelphia stations. I regularly consult with and advise local political leaders on a range of issues.  I am moderating a six week once a week seminar Wednesday evenings from 6-8, on Social Justice and World Religions sponsored by a non profit group called UNIITE.  So far we have had two with about 75 community members attending each.  The titles are Native Americans

and  Social Justice; Hinduism and S.J.; Christianity and Social  Justice; Islam  and S.J.; Buddhism and S.J. and a wrap up panel titled Social  Justice and  World Religions - Common Issues.  This is the fourth year a  similar series has been held.  Last year there was a two part series on Judaism, among others.

Consultation

One reported a visit by Michael D’Andrea as part of the NIMC National Tour. Other faculty reported consultation with private and public sector agencies on multicultural and social justice issues. Have served as a multicultural consultant, traininer to the Office of the President of the University of California, the mental health, probation, and social services departments of the county, and to varied private corporations.  This work often entailed the development of training manuals that could be used by existing training personnel. Developed the "Kids' Scorecard" for the local county. More specifically, we developed a data gathering system that focuses on identifying key indicators for   "kids at risk."  The Scorecard has been used as a prototype by other counties across the country.

Pro bono and Volunteer work

Several reported doing pro bono therapy or therapy on a sliding scale or volunteering to support social justice in the community. Several described themselves as advocates and politically active members of the community. I am a founding member of the Rosa Parks Foundation and have been a member of the Southern Poverty Law Center since 2000. I have served on the Board of Directors Indiana Council on Adolescent Pregnancy (ICAP) Teen Pregnancy Task Force of Bucks County,  I volunteer several hours each week to an organization that gives much back to the community in terms of education, health & wellness, economic empowerment

Awards

Several reported receiving awards from their colleagues in recognition of their work on multiculturalism and social justice issues. Several reported receiving awards from APA  and the AAPA. Both Rita and Fred received the ACA Counselors for Social Justice O’Hanna award in 2004

Personal Life

Several reported donating thousands of dollars to organizations working on social justice issues and otherwise  advocating for multicultural and social justice issues in the routines of their daily life. Several reported challenging racist statements.  One reported studying Spanish and several reported donating money to agencies in support of multicultural and social justice issues. One reported on how the MC Center, and doctoral clinical students in multicultural coursework provide community outreach to ethnic and language minorities, immigrants, political refugees, and children of war, and also provide outcome evaluations of this outreach, thus addressing a diverse array of societal concerns to improve multicultural training, prevention, and research.  One isan active member of USF’s Diversity Committee and the research subcommittee. We’ll be studying the perceptions and attitudes toward multicultural issues of our colleagues and the ways in which multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills are incorporated in the curriculum..

 Back to list