Sunday, February 26, 2017

And then there were 6...on the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

First 6 of the 20 stepped down on Inauguration Day, then another 10 released a powerful letter to the President less than a month later.

The resignation letter shared concerns of how history of discrimination and exclusionary acts may repeat themselves given the current president's "portrayal of immigrants, refugees, people of color and people of various faiths as untrustworthy, threatening, and a drain on our nation."

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/10-resign-president-s-advisory-commission-asian-americans-pacific-islanders-n721386

What are the potential implications of such actions of the current administration (or of the commissioners) and how might they affect the mental health of Asian Americans and allies to the Asian American community?

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Is an A- an "Asian F?"

San Francisco based psychotherapist Nicole Hsiang, LMFT blogs about the "Shadow Side to Being an Asian American Over Achiever." Unfortunately, it's also one of the reasons a segment of my private practice is providing psychotherapy to adolescents at competitive bay area high schools who experience academic distress (e.g., I've learned from some of my teens which train tracks are notorious for finding a quick end) and those who identify with Asian values of saving face (e.g., I'm currently working with someone in their 40's who has been having difficulty finding motivation to get back into the job market after being laid off - over four years ago).  What are some ways you think society should deal with such pressures?

https://medium.com/@nicolehsiang/the-shadow-side-to-being-an-asian-american-over-achiever-94d6eb818147#.oatip6928