Testimonios in the Mouth of the Dragon: A Call for Black Liberation in Psychology

U.S. society has witnessed and experienced the impact and suffering caused by the racial pandemic within the COVID-19 viral pandemic. In response to anti-Blackness, a multigenerational and multiracial movement of people is rising and demanding justice for Black lives. Using testimonio research and Liberation Psychology as a theoretical framework, the authors describe their current understanding of what it means to practice a more responsible resistance to racist power structures as non-Black Latinas in the field of psychology. Braun and Clarke's (2016) thematic analysis (TA) was used to search for patterns of meaning within the authors' testimonios. Results revealed four themes: (a) to hold the line means to struggle for Black liberation, (b) confront anti-Blackness and colonial mentality in the self and community, (c) challenge anti-Blackness within the field of psychology, and (d) collective struggle. The third theme was divided into two subthemes: (a) tear down and (b) center Black lives. The testimonios emphasize that practicing allyship involves being a dissenter who questions and challenges colonial mentality and anti-Blackness, who fights for the abolition of racist policies and power systems, and who moves beyond the hegemonic values that exist in the field of psychology. This study presents the use of testimonio research and Liberation Psychology as suitable tools for psychologists to increase their racial consciousness. Public Significance Statement This article aims to disrupt the dominant use of positivist methodologies in antiracist research in Counseling Psychology. The authors underscore the important role that testimonio research and Liberation Psychology can play in psychologists' efforts to increase their racial consciousness and understanding of allyship.

Automated summary

This study highlights the importance of using testimonio research and Liberation Psychology as tools for psychologists to increase their racial consciousness and engage in anti-racist practices. The authors emphasize the significance of resisting racist power structures and supporting Black liberation, as well as challenging anti-Blackness within the field of psychology.