Black History Month: An Alberta psychologist’s tribute to Nelson Mandela

An Alberta psychologist’s tribute to Nelson Mandela
by Zuraida Dada, R. Psych., C.Psych., CPHR (Ret.)

Apartheid

The term Apartheid is an Afrikaner word which means “separateness.” Apartheid was in place in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. Apartheid was malevolent in its intent, with its goal being the annihilation of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) communities. Apartheid was legalised oppression and was socio-economic and political in nature. The Apartheid government used every legal means in pursuit of this goal, including but not limited to:

• Population registration and segregation
• Job reservation and economic apartheid
• Segregation in education
• Land tenure and geographic segregation
• Sexual apartheid
• Pass laws and influx control
• Political representation
• Separate development and Bantustans
• Banning, detention without trial and state security

Apartheid was pervasive and governed every aspect of our lives, from cradle to grave. For BIPOC people living under apartheid, it meant living without freedom and in perpetual fear. Nelson Mandela successfully led the country to freedom peacefully (without a war/formal bloodshed) and was the first Black President of post apartheid, democratic South Africa.

How do I begin to pay tribute to a father figure and someone who has left an indelible mark on me and every aspect of my life? There can never be sufficient words to convey the depth of the impact that Nelson Mandela (or Tata Madiba as he is fondly known), had on me. I will try my best to share a few ideas that Tata Madiba taught me through his words and actions, and that I strive to apply in my personal and professional life.

Lessons from Nelson Mandela (Tata Madiba)

Tata Madiba taught me:

• About “Amandla” meaning power—more specifically, the power of freedom—that freedom is like oxygen; you realize only in its absence how precious it is. Under apartheid, we did not have access to psychologists. This idea underpinned the reason I became a psychologist. It has imbued my life. It is the premise of my advocacy work. It is what I strive for: freedom from oppression, racism, violence, bias, prejudice and discrimination. The idea that striving for freedom from racism and discrimination is as vital as breathing has enabled me to understand my client’s reactions to racism, allowed me to be more empathetic and taught me that freedom from racism is necessary and vital for the survival and thriving of BIPOC people.
• That power comes in many forms, and that with power comes significant responsibility to act with discipline and to accept the consequences of one’s actions. As psychologists, it is critical that we understand the power dynamics in our relationships with our clients. Our clients generally seek therapy when they are at their most vulnerable, and often share aspects of their lives they have never shared before. As psychologists, we need to hold that space sacred and be aware/mindful of the power we have and the role we play vis-a-vis our clients. It is the bedrock of clinical practice to be mindful of the power dynamic and to do all we can to recalibrate it and not abuse that power.
• About the nature of oppression and racism—that racism is a pervasive ideology premised on power, privilege and fear. It is a form of violence. It thrives in silence. It is traumatic to experience. Racism denialism is trauma inducing and to recognise, acknowledge and accept that racism exists is the first step toward healing. This has informed the approach I use when working with clients who have experienced racism/discrimination. I use a compassion-focused, trauma-informed approach and provide psychoeducation regarding racism, power and privilege, along with strategies for managing this. Unfortunately, I have had first-hand professional encounters of racism denialism by fellow psychologists, which, as a BIPOC individual, is trauma-inducing. As psychologists, it is our ethical obligation and professional duty to be objective and to provide professional services free of bias. Given the trauma that racism denial causes, it is my fervent belief that racism denial should be treated in a manner analogous to sexual harassment, and should be grounds for ethical misconduct as well as professional incompetence.
• About the importance of values and the role they play in our lives. Tata Madiba famously said at his Rivonia trial on 20 April 1964: “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” I believe that racism (and the fight against oppression) is premised on personal values which then are enshrined in our daily lives, resulting in systemic and internalised racism. It is incumbent on us as psychologists to constantly engage in self-reflection; to be aware of the dynamics of the society in which we live; to understand the nature of racism so we can support, in healthy and meaningful ways, our clients who experience it; to accept and be aware of our limitations; to engage in appropriate activities, such as referring clients to others more competent than ourselves when the situation warrants; to obtain training when necessary; and to engage in client and social justice advocacy.
• About the power of one—how one person's actions can impact millions. As a psychologist I am constantly reminded of the impactful and meaningful work we do. The work we do matters, and is often the turning point in people’s lives that has a ripple effect on communities and societies at large. The key building block of every healthy society is a healthy person. As psychologists, our role is to build healthy communities and societies, one person at a time.
• To choose the pen over the sword. As a psychologist, I am constantly reminded of the power my words have on my clients as well as the power of each person’s own words on their sense of self, their identity and their own life.
• Deeds count over words. As psychologists it is incumbent on us to “be the change we want to see in this world” and to engage in social advocacy and social justice initiatives, not just limiting our advocacy to words alone.
• About the generosity of the human spirit/love over evil/hatred. Tata Madiba famously said, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” This is the basis of the work I do as a psychologist. As psychologists in the context of client advocacy and social justice, it is incumbent upon us to acknowledge this truth and to base our work on this truth if we are to build an equal and just society.
• About the importance of truth and owning your own truth. As psychologists it is critical that we speak and own our own truth, as well as create a safe, judgment-free space in which clients can express and own their own truths.
• The importance of forgiveness over resentment. Forgiveness is a key principle in my work as a psychologist when supporting clients who have experienced racism and discrimination; this is especially so in my social justice work. I believe forgiveness is the antidote to resentment; it is self care; it is self compassion; it is the building block of resiliency and is a necessary first step in healing from trauma.
• The importance of understanding over ignorance. “Seek to understand, rather than to be understood.” This allows for empathy and for the building of a healthy therapeutic alliance. Understanding that racism denialism is a form of ignorance and is trauma inducing is vital to any work we do with clients who experience racism/discrimination.
• The importance of humility over arrogance. Recognising our limitations as psychologists is a form of humility. Racism denial is a form of arrogance. It is critical for us to understand the importance of engaging with clients in humility and renouncing arrogance, to create healthy therapeutic alliances in effective support of our clients.
• The importance of flexibility over rigidity. As a psychologist, the importance of being able to adopt a flexible approach is a key aspect in the provision of effective therapy.
• The importance of action over apathy. As psychologists we need to recognise the important active role we play in the creation of healthy societies—especially in relation to client advocacy and advocacy in society in general. Apathy can be equated to incompetence and unethical conduct.
• The importance of resilience over surrender. Resilience is the key building block of healthy and thriving individuals and healthy societies. It is the cornerstone of the work I do with my clients.
• The importance of courage over cowardice. As psychologists, it is incumbent upon us to have the courage to change things over which we have control, to advocate for our clients, to fight against injustice, to lobby for changes and to do research that allows the science to move forward.
• The importance of fairness over injustice. As psychologists have a vital role in social justice. All social justice is built on the premise of fairness and the creation of fairness in society.
• The importance of kindness over cruelty. Unconditional positive regard is the basis of our work as psychologists. Recognising that racism and racism denial are trauma is a form of kindness. Racism denial is cruelty and traumatic.
• About “Ubuntu”—which means humanness or human kindness, the ties that bind the human spirit. Ubuntu asserts that society, not a transcendent being, gives human beings their humanity. It is the recognition that we are all bound in ways that are invisible to the human eye. Michael Eze said, "We are because you are, and since you are, definitely I am. Humanity is a quality we owe each other. We create each other and need to sustain this otherness creation.” Barack Obama said, “There is a oneness to humanity that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others and by caring for those around us.." Ubuntu imbues the work I do, recognising we all need one another and that the sum is greater than the parts. We all have a role to play in eradicating injustice, be it as advocate or ally.
• To challenge myself to find this truth within myself—to identify my values, my beliefs and my identity within the context of the greater brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity. To:
• always remember the generosity of the human spirit;
• engage with people at a human level—as human beings first;
• understand my brother and my sister first, before judging them;
• approach life with empathy;
• find opportunities to nurture and care for others; and,
• take accountability for my life and my actions.

Tata Madiba often quoted the poem Invictus: "It matters not how straight the gate, how charged the punishment, the scroll, I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul."

As Barack Obama said: “Tata Madiba makes me want to be a better human being and speaks to what is best inside all of us. The challenge for all of us is to search for that within ourselves and to make his life's work our own.” Challenge accepted, Tata Madiba, challenge accepted.

Hamba kahle Tata Madiba, Hamba kahle (Go well Tata Madiba, go well).
Ndiyakukhumbula (I will miss you).
Enkosi, Ngiyabonga, (Thank you).