The American Psychological Association Apologizes for Its Role in Perpetuating Systemic Racism

The American Psychological Association is apologizing for its long history of contributing to systemic racism.

This week, the American Psychological Association posted an apology statement on its site, highlighting its history of intentionally causing harm to communities of color.

“The American Psychological Association failed in its role leading the discipline of psychology, was complicit in contributing to systemic inequities, and hurt many through racism, racial discrimination, and denigration of people of color, thereby falling short on its mission to benefit society and improve lives,” read the news release, CNN reports.

It went on to say: “APA is profoundly sorry, accepts responsibility for, and owns the actions and inactions of APA itself, the discipline of psychology, and individual psychologists who stood as leaders for the organization and field,” it added.

Reports show that white men who established APA in 1892 created and practiced racially-biased methods on people of color, or flat out overlooked the mental health of communities of color. “Psychologists created, promoted, and administered psychological tests, intelligence tests, educational assessments, and interventions that were normed on white samples, culturally-biased, and discriminated against people of color,” the APA stated.

APA’s President Jennifer F. Kelly said in a statement that this would be the first time the association will look into how it has fostered and created a haven for racism within the mental health and medical industry.

“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,” said Kelly.