Anti-Racism and BIPOC Support

The Counseling Center recognizes the pain, loss and trauma that continues to be experienced by Black, Indigenous People, and People of Color within our Lafayette community, across our country and throughout the world. We acknowledge the injustices and disparities, including the disproportionate impact of COVID-19, economic, housing and healthcare inequities, police brutality, racialized violence, and the dehumanization of Black lives. We express our deep sorrow and outrage while also affirming the value of Black lives and our support for BIPOC students.

We recognize the pervasive effects of systemic racism, violence and multigenerational racial trauma on the physical health and emotional well-being of the members of our community. The anger, sorrow, pain, outrage, helplessness, numbness, or grief you may be feeling are all valid. It is important to acknowledge your feelings, take care of yourself and maintain connection with affirming supports in your life. Please know that we see you and we are here for you. The Counseling Center encourages you to seek support when needed. This may look different for different individuals. Here are some resources you may find helpful.

RESOURCES FOR BIPOC

• Mental health resources for and by people of color:
  • Steve Fund crisis text line for people of color: Text STEVE to 741741
  • Therapy for Black girls 
  • Therapy for Black men
  • Black Mental Health Alliance
  • Call BlackLine
  • Latinx therapist database
  • Asian Mental Health Collective
  • National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
  • American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African (AMENA) therapists
  • South Asian therapists
  • Inclusive therapists
  • National Queer and Trans therapists of color network
  • Racial Equity Support Line
• Black Lives Matter meditations
• Racial trauma is real 
• Racial trauma course
• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
• Asians do therapy
• Common coping strategies 
• Radical self-care in the face of mounting racial stress 
• Talking about race: Self-Care      
• Self-care toolkit: Healing in the face of cultural trauma 
• Grief is a direct impact of racism: Ways to support yourself
• Tips for supporting each other 
• Resources for college students quarantining in unsupportive environments
• COVID-19 Racial justice and equity resources
• Counseling Center’s Statement on discrimination and xenophobia

The Counseling Center stands united against racism. We acknowledge that racism in its various forms has a long history and is deeply embedded in our society. As members of the Counseling Center, we are humbly committed to challenging elements of racism within ourselves and our communities. We will continue to engage in training and education to examine our own inherent biases and work with our colleagues and professional organizations to promote systemic change. We recognize that this is difficult, long-term work that is never complete. We believe that we all have a role and responsibility in creating the change necessary to dismantle racism. Here are a few resources to help get started.

ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES 

• Belonging at Lafayette
• Anti-racism bookshelf: Tools for entering a difficult conversation 
• Talking about race: Being anti-racist   
• White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack 
• Disarming racial microaggressions: Microintervention strategies for targets, white allies, and bystanders 
• 97 things white people can do for racial justice   
• 9 reflective writing prompts to explore white fragility and privilege
• Anti-racist tools for educators and students:
  • Anti-racist Toolkit
  • Anti-Racist Educator Self-Questionnaire and Rubric
  • Anti-Racist Student Self-Questionnaire
• Podcasts to consider:
  • Code Switch by NPR
  • White Lies by NPR
  • The 1619 Project  by the New York Times
  • Uncivil by Gimlet Media
  • Pass the Mic by The Witness Podcast Radio
  • Seeing White by Scene On Radio

*Please know that these resources are not affiliated with Lafayette College, and we can’t guarantee accuracy or services.