Building a Beloved Community:

Realizing the Unique Potential of the NIMC

By

Michael D’Andrea

            “Something special is happening with our group.”  That was the comment made by one of the members of the NIMC’s Executive Committee after our meeting on April 8th in Atlanta during the 2005 American Counseling Association’s (ACA) annual convention. 

It is the same feeling I had in July 2004 when the NIMC expanded to increase its organizational composition from nine key theorists, researchers, and faculty members in the multicultural counseling movement to 53 allies in the fields of counseling and psychology.

It is the same feeling I had after 16 NIMC Executive Committee members met in January 2005 during the third National Multicultural Summit and Conference in Hollywood, California.

Something special is indeed happening within our organization as we continue to grow to over 400 members in the eight short months since the NIMC has been reorganized.  My sense is that we are not only developing a unique sense of being an expanded family or O’hana as the Native Hawaiians refer to it, but that we are creating the sort of “beloved community” that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about in the 1960s and that bell hooks refers to in her contemporary writings.

There are a couple of points that Dr. King and bell hooks emphasize in defining the meaning of the term “beloved community” which have particular relevance for the manner in which the NIMC is creating an expanded family of professionals.  These points are briefly outlined below.

1. A beloved community is comprised of persons who share common values, goals, purpose, vision, and ideals.  I believe it is our shared values, goals, purpose, vision, and ideals that represent the glue of the NIMC.
2. The members of a beloved community actively strives to realize a collective vision for the future.  This refers to the action-oriented nature of the NIMC group.
3. A beloved community is comprised of a group of persons who genuinely respect one another.
4. More than manifesting a heightened sense of respect for one another, a beloved community is distinguished from other groups and organizations by an authentic loving spirit that is routinely manifested by the members of the collective.  I would suggest that a growing and authentic sense of love is increasingly being manifested among many of the persons who are involved in the various projects that the NIMC is implementing.  While it is not common for a group of professionals to speak of feelings of love that they have for one another, it is nevertheless an important a distinguishing aspect of the sort of “beloved community” that Dr. King taught us to strive to realize in our world and a characteristic of the NIMC that I hope continues to grow.
5.  Although a heightened sense of respect and love permeate the interactions individuals in beloved communities have for one another, this does not impede the right and responsibility that persons in beloved communities believe they have to express their disagreements with other group members when something is said or done that conflicts with one’s own views and values.  Clearly, not all NIMC members agree with everything that all members of our group say or do to promote transformational changes in our society and profession.  However, in addition to agreeing to agree on many issues and agreeing to disagree on others, the NIMC remains committed to promoting democratic processes in the decisions that are made and the action strategies that are implemented by this beloved community.    
6. The sort of beloved community that Dr. King and bell hooks advocate for involves a group of individuals who are not afraid to stand up for justice and are not reluctant to implement non-violence forms of resistance to foster the revolutionary changes that are necessary to build a more sane, just, and healthier society.  From the conversations that ensued from our meetings in January and April it is clear that many of the NIMC members are committed to the criteria that Dr. King and bell hooks have in mind.

My sense is that the values, goals, purpose, vision and ideals we share; the sacrifices that we are making in working to greater a more sane society by working to transform the mental health professions is a driving force that sustains the loving spirit that exists within our beloved community. Something special is indeed happening here.. and I am honored to be a part of it with you.

In the continuing struggle for justice and peace,

Michael D’Andrea,

NIMC Executive Director