Leader in multicultural psychology to speak about race and racism

February 14, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Derald Wing Sue, a leading figure in multicultural psychology and counseling, will appear Feb. 21 at the University of Florida as the first speaker in the Provost’s Diversity Speakers Series.

Sue, professor of psychology and education at Columbia University and former president of the Asian American Psychological Association, will discuss racism and how it affects interaction with others.

Sue will first appear at 8:30 a.m. in Reitz Student Union Auditorium for a presentation titled “Racial, Gender and Sexual Orientation Micro Aggressions,” during which he will provide suggestions about how to eliminate racist thinking and behavior on a daily basis.

He will give a second presentation at 4:30 p.m. that will focus on meeting the challenges of crises and conflict as they intersect with diversity, titled “Issues of Diversity in Times of Crisis.” It also will be held in Reitz Student Union Auditorium.

Both events are free and open to the public and will include opportunities to ask questions.

In a multicultural world, experts like Sue are important in helping people understand the impact of different social backgrounds, said Cirecie West-Olatunji, assistant professor of counselor education at UF. West-Olatunji is also president-elect of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development.

“The world is very diverse, and our society is becoming increasingly more diverse,” she said. “Cultural competence will become a way of being for us.”

Sue’s research has examined the unconscious effect of prejudice in everyday life, and he has emphasized learning how to evaluate others based on their values and views on life rather than their physical traits. He was one of the first to study these socio-political issues from a psychological perspective, West-Olatunji said.

Sue’s work and lectures are designed to appeal to members of both the academic community and the general public.

One of his books, “Overcoming Racism: the Journey to Liberation,” was specifically written for the layperson. Another, “Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice,” is widely used in graduate-level counseling psychology courses.

As evidence of Sue’s stature in the field, a national Fordham University study of multicultural publications and scholars concluded that “Derald Wing Sue is without doubt the most influential multicultural scholar in the United States.”

Sue’s appearance is the inaugural event in the Provost’s Diversity Speakers Series, which will bring one prominent scholar to the university each semester.

“Many segments of our society, including the University of Florida, have recognized the value of having a portfolio of experiences and voices at the table when choices are being evaluated and decisions are being made,” Provost Janie Fouke said. “This speaker is one of several attempts to ensure that members of our community have an opportunity to observe a variety of viewpoints.”

Live streamed video will be available. For more information visit the Faculty Development website at www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/facdev/diversity-series/.