“The American Psychological Association issued an apology to people of color on Friday for its role in perpetuating systemic racism and discrimination in the U.S. ‘For the first time, APA and American psychology are systematically and intentionally examining, acknowledging and charting a path forward to address their roles in perpetuating racism,’ APA President Jennifer F. Kelly said in a statement.

“The association called past attempts to apologize for its responsibility in upholding racism “unsuccessful.” The resolution was adopted by APA’s legislative body, which is made up of its board of directors, APA members representing various states and members who represent ethnic psychological associations.  ‘The governing body within APA should have apologized to people of color before today,’ the resolution stated. ‘The work done to make this apology to people of color a reality was led by the people and voices of a broad cross-section of today’s APA—members, APA’s elected and appointed leaders, and staff.’

“The resolution said APA leaders and staff are taking their ‘collective learnings’ and assessments of the association’s past to issue an apology that will actually effect change.  The resolution acknowledged that the origins of the discipline are rooted in ‘oppressive psychological science to protect Whiteness, White people and White epistemologies’ and that in many ways the field was complacent in the exploitation of people of color.”