Practical Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategies Based on the Legacy of Dr. Joseph L. White

191 Pages·2022·8.51 MB·English

by  Bedford Palmer II

“Dr. Joseph L. White, the Father of Black Psychology, was a consum-
mate scholar, teacher, educator, and mentor. This book is a manifesta-
tion of his ‘Freedom Train’; a train of generations of his mentees who
continue to carry his legacy of examining the effects of the lack of cul-
tural representation in mental health, educational research, and organi-
zational leadership, forward. Joe (as he was affectionately known to all)
always said he would know it was time for him to rest when his mentees
surpassed him – this book is a testimony to everything he poured into
those who have contributed their outstanding work to this book.”
The White Sisters (Lori White, Lynn White Kell,
and Lisa White)
“By reading the chapters in this text, you will bear witness to Dr. White’s
enduring contribution to the lives of past and future generations. The
futures of (liberation) psychologies are bright because of the paths
Dr. White paved. Hop on the Freedom Train. Be inspired to continue the
legacy of Dr. White.”
Helen A. Neville, Professor of Educational Psychology and African
American Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Practical Social Justice
Practical Social Justice brings together the mentorship experiences of a
diverse group of leaders across business, academia, and the public sector.
They relay the lessons they learned from Dr. Joseph L. White through
personal narratives, providing a critical analysis of their experience, and
share their best practices and recommendations for those who want to
truly live up to their potential as leaders and mentors.
As one of the founding members of the Association of Black Psychol-
ogists, the Equal Opportunity Program, and the “Freedom Train,” this
book focuses on celebrating Dr. White’s legacy, and translating real-world
experience in promoting social justice change. Experiential narratives from
contributors offer a framework for both the mentee and the mentor, and
readers will learn how to develop people and infrastructure strategically to
build a sustainable legacy of social justice change. They will be presented
with ways to pragmatically focus on social justice efforts, favoring results
over ego. This is a unique and highly accessible book that will be useful
across disciplines and generations, in which the authors illustrate how to
build relationships, inspire buy-in, and develop mutually beneficial part-
nerships that move people and systems toward a more equitable, inclusive,
and just future. Providing a personal guide to developing an infrastructure
for institutional change, Practical Social Justice is based on over half a
century of triumph, translated through the lenses of leaders who have used
these lessons to measurable and repeatable success.
This book will be essential reading for undergraduate and graduate stu-
dents in the fields of Psychology, Social Work, Ethnic Studies, Sociology,
Public Policy, Leadership, Communications, Business, and Educational Ad-
ministration. It is also important reading for professionals including leaders
and policy makers in organizations dealing with issues around diversity, eq-
uity, and inclusion, and anyone interested in promoting social justice.
Bedford Palmer II, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Counseling at Saint
Mary’s College of California, USA, and a licensed psychologist. He fo-
cuses his work on issues of social justice and multiculturalism. He pro-
duced and co-hosted the Naming It podcast and is the author of the
Healthy Conversation children’s book series.

Practical Social Justice
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Strategies Based on the Legacy of
Dr. Joseph L. White
Edited by Bedford Palmer II
Cover image: Copyright © Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
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and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 selection and editorial matter, Bedford Palmer II;
individual chapters, the contributors
The right of Bedford Palmer II to be identified as the author of
the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual
chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and
78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted
or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be
trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for
identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this title has been requested
ISBN: 978-0-367-67803-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-65411-5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-13289-9 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003132899
Typeset in Times New Roman
by codeMantra
This book is about the work of Dr. Joseph L. White and his
impact on his mentees. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting
Dr. White, he would likely have taken whatever moments you
shared to help you progress in your education, career, or life. If
you were moved to thank him after this, he would have told you
that it was unnecessary. Instead, he would have charged you to
use whatever you gained to pay the blessing forward and help
four people who needed it. With that in mind, I dedicate this
book to those four more people and all the people who were
not blessed to have the opportunity to meet Joe. If this book
somehow helps you, please use those gifts and take the time to
help four mentees of your own.

Contents
Foreword xi
Preface xiv
Acknowledgment xviii
List of Contributors xix
SECTION I
Developing Social Justice Advocates – “Keep the Faith” 1
1 Finding Power: Dr. White’s Social Justice Mentoring 3
ANNE CHAN
2 Creating Community to Support Students of Color 15
KEVIN COKLEY
3 Intersectional Allyship & The Importance of Relationships 25
JENNIFER L. LOVELL AND RANDI E. SCOTT-MCLAUGHLIN
SECTION II
Paradigm Change – “Making Something from Nothing” 39
4 Embodied Liberation: Engaging in Activism 41
ADISA T. ANDERSON
5 If a Shadow Has Been Cast, It Must Mean There Is Light
Nearby: Reflections on Joseph Lewis White 56
WILLIAM D. PARHAM
6 A Radical Shift: Shaping the Next Generation of Scholar-
Activists of Color 69
JEANETT CASTELLANOS, HECTOR Y. ADAMES, NAYELI Y.
CHAVEZ-DUEÑAS, AND VERONICA FRANCO