A Salute to a Hero and Pioneer: Who is the Person That Inspires You?
Written By: Jamel Burroughs, LCSW-R, CEAP
At times, we can become disconnected from life. We can feel anxious, lose hope, and fall into despair, or depression. These are normal behavioral reactions when we lose faith, and are no longer connected to a source, or purpose. One of our many obstacles is to understand our reasons for living. In order to navigate through the journey of life, it is important to find sources of inspiration that will help keep us focused and driven.
Along my journey, I have found truth to the adage, “You need to know your history in order to prepare for your future.” Throughout my studies in the fields of psychology and social work, I was introduced to the works and ideas of a plethora of Caucasian theorists. However, being a culturally conscious African-American man, and a socially aware psychotherapist who has studied the rich ancestral history of my heritage, I knew there had to be contributors from the African Diaspora. In my independent studies, I stumbled upon an unsung hero and pioneer who helped reshape American history: Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark.
Dr. Clark
Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark (1914-2005) is best known for his psychological study on the impact of segregation on Black children in the 1940s. His work was cited in the landmark Supreme Court Case of Brown vs. Board of Education and was instrumental in the decision to desegregate schools in America. He is also known to be the First African-American Male:
1. To earn a doctorate in educational psychology from Columbia University.
2. To serve as the President of the American Psychological Association.
3. To be elected to the Board of Regents in New York State.
Dr. Clark dedicated his career to conducting psychological experiments on the racial biases of children in education.
Dr. Clark conducting the “Doll Test” with a young male child, 1947.
To further his studies, in 1946 he founded the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem, N.Y. Additionally, Dr. Clark published an abundance of articles and the following books:
1. Prejudice and Your Child (1955)
2. Dark Ghetto (1965)
3. A Possible Reality (1972)
4. Pathos of Power (1975)
Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark you were truly a visionary and pioneer in the fields of both psychology and social work. I pay homage to your accomplishments and thank you for being that scholarly voice for People of Color in America. You are truly my inspiration.
Who is the person in your life that inspires you?
The Burroughs Psychotherapy Practice, LCSW, P. C. 