This Is Psychology: Immigration
In the video “This Is Psychology,” Episode 10: Immigration, Norman B. Anderson, the CEO of the American Psychological Association, introduced the topic of immigration and its effects on the mental health of those affected by it. While some people leave their home countries in search of better work opportunities, others flee war, political prosecution, or environmental disasters. Emotional well-being may be altered as a result of immigration due to such reasons as the change in social standing, separation from families, cultural differences, financial pressure, and many others. Person-centered and culturally inclusive approaches to therapy must be implemented when caring for persons who have immigrated, especially since they are reluctant to seek care in a healthcare context that is foreign to them. From hiring bilingual health providers or strengthening community support to offering transportation to access services, the American healthcare system must be more accommodating to the needs and challenges of immigrants.
I Am Not Your Asian Stereotype
In her TEDx Talk “I Am Not Your Asian Stereotype,” Canwen Xu raises important questions about navigating the racial landscape of the United States and challenges the longstanding prejudice that Asian people face. She notes that from an early age, prejudices became evident to her, and she could not help but conform to it just to be perceived as someone who meets the expectations of others. However, conformism was never the answer as Canwen realized that average Americans were clueless about diversity, and thus their view was significantly skewed. She cites ridiculous questions that white people ask her, such as “I have an Asian friend; do you know him?” or “Where does your name come from?” A white person surely would never have to answer such questions. Canwen’s speech illuminates the issue of racial stereotyping from the standpoint of a person who not only tried to break them but also succeeded.
Foreigners in Their Own Land
The first episode of the PBS Latino Americans documentary “Foreigners in their Own Land” explores the early history of America and the coming of Spanish explorers to the promised land. It is not commonly known that the first language that was spoken in America, besides the languages of the Native tribes, was Spanish. Moreover, the documentary emphasizes the role of such heroes as Juan Nepomuceno Seguín, who played a defining role in the Texas Revolution and the state’s establishment as an independent one; however, his story is not well-known.
Moreover, very few people know about the role of Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who helped California transition from a Mexican territory into a US state. The documentary points to the power imbalance and the systemic disregard for the roles that Hispanic historical figures played in shaping America as it is known today. Nevertheless, they are not as well recognized as their white counterparts.