AMCD Statement on Racialized Violence and Discrimination

AMCD is an ACA Division

May 31, 2020

The Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development’s mission is to enhance the development, human rights, and the psychological health of ethnic and racial populations that is critical to the social, educational, political, professional, and personal reform in the United States and globally. The Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) is aware of the psychological, physical, and emotional consequences of racism and racial discrimination that is taking a toll on individuals within ethnic and racial communities. As such, AMCD seeks to develop programs specifically to improve ethnic and racial empathy and understanding. Additionally, AMCD is charged with the responsibility of defending human and civil rights as prescribed by law.

AMCD strongly denounces the senseless, brutal killing of George Floyd (Minneapolis, MN), Ahmaud Arbery (Brunswick, GA), Breonna Taylor (Louisville, KY), and the countless other instances of brutal killings and abuses of power towards black and brown individuals living within a plethora of systemic inequities (i.e., political, economic, social, cultural) that perpetuate injustice. We send our condolences and sympathies to all the grieving families and friends.

Furthermore, AMCD denounces the racism, bullying, and hate in all its forms towards our family and friends in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It has been reported that since the onset of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Asian American community has faced a double whammy, discrimination and unemployment.

Race-based traumatic stress, the psychological and emotional stress reactions to racism and racial discrimination present in ways such as depression, anger, physical reactions, avoidance, intrusion, and hypervigilance/arousal. For those who are experiencing any of the symptoms of racism and discrimination and/or from the COVID-19 pandemic, know that you are not alone. Seek support from family, friends, and community support networks to help you deal with and process how you are feelings. Seek professional assistance if necessary.

AMCD will continue to work tirelessly to improve the cultural climate of the populations we serve and eliminate conditions that systematically create barriers to the individual development of marginalized populations. We will continue to focus on issues of oppression, privilege, and social inequities as we believe that all people have a right to equitable treatment, advocation of their human rights, and fair access and allocation to societal resources.

Taunya Marie Tinsley, PhD
President, AMCD 2019-2020

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