Dr. Mia Khera Presents at National Multicultural Conference

Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Mia Khera presented and facilitated a roundtable discussion on the model minority myth and race relations at the National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS), held January 16-19 in Denver, Colorado. 

The NMCS convenes scholars in their roles as community members, educators, practitioners, researchers, and students, in psychology and related fields, to inform and inspire multicultural theory, research, practice, and advocacy.

Together with her coauthors from Boston University, San Diego State University, and the University of La Verne, Dr. Khera discussed key aspects of their recently published paper "#APIsforBlackLives: Unpacking the Interracial Discourse on the Asian American Pacific Islander and Black Communities," which appeared in Community Psychology in Global Perspective in October 2018.

"Our goal was to show the complexities and multifaceted forces that influence the interracial dynamics between Black and Asian American and Pacific Islander (APPI) communities," said Dr. Khera. "By exploring and understanding the history and systems that impact how these marginalized minorities interact within an oppressive system, we can better address the divide between racialized oppressed communities and foster solidarity and community coalition."

The paper specifically examines dynamics within the #BlackLivesMatter movement and seeks to "challenge the miseducation of our histories and one another's communities," as well as "prioritize the preservation and healing of communities and bodies of color."

Community Psychology in Global Perspective is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes work that is of relevance to community psychologists, as well as scholars and professionals from a diverse array of other backgrounds with shared interest in community-focused work.