Fostering Children’s Resilience in the Face of Racial Hatred and Prejudice: A Psychoanalytic Developmental Perspective
One-Session Program (2 Contact Hours), Presenter: Marsha Levy-Warren, PhD, Discussant:Kirkland Vaughans, PhD Date:Tuesday, June 27, 2017, Time:8:00-10:00pm
Location: Mt. Sinai, Hatch Auditorium, Madison Ave @ 100th St, NYC
The topic of this presentation – the impact of growing up feeling hated – has become even more salient and painful in a political and social climate in which there are increased outlets for voices of bigotry and prejudice. What are we to tell children who are observably “of color?” How do we explain to them that there are people who will react to them on the basis of the most superficial of characteristics – e.g., skin tone, hair, body type or shape, manner of dress, and name. How do we do this in a manner that is attuned to their developmental level of understanding? How do we inculcate a sense of pride, security, and trust in children when there is so much in the world around them that conveys reasons to be frightened, wary, and self-doubting?
Dr. Levy-Warren introduces the concept of the “not REALLY me/me”, the aspects of ourselves that others might see and to which they might react but which are superficial aspects of ourselves not fundamental to who we are. She describes how to help children identify a “not REALLY me/me” while deepening and strengthening their core sense of identity as a buffer to experiences of prejudice and hatred. Continue reading Fostering Children’s Resilience in the Face of Racial Hatred and Prejudice with Marsha Levy-Warren at CFS
