Why Black Psychology Matters

From Kevin Cokley PhD/Black Psychology Matters: “Black psychology was born from the struggle of Black psychologists who were constantly exposed to messages of Black deficiency, pathology, and inferiority. When the ‘father of Black psychology’ Joseph White wrote his seminal piece ‘Toward a Black Psychology’ in Ebony magazine, it was the first article that articulated an authentic, non-deficit-based psychology for Black people . . .

In many ways, Black psychology should be viewed as a precursor to positive psychology and multicultural psychology. Black psychologists have had an unwavering belief in the humanity and potentiality of Black people, especially in their ability to transcend and not be defined by racial oppression. In fact, Black psychologists such as Joseph White articulated the principles of a positive and strengths-based psychology prior to the formation of positive psychology.”

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