System Family Therapy and the World

Last week I attended eight hours of education with the American Association of Family Therapy. I do want to report some tidbits here and there for you which I think you may be able to use. The first lecture was about the state of the systemic family therapy and the world. I have difficulty saying “black” and “brown” for people. Life is a circle isn’t it? That includes what is politically correct for the moment. So, I will try to stick to how it is being lectured with some polishing. People who are black and brown skin coloured are more impacted globally than others. Globally they don’t have basic health care let alone having health care needed because of the pandemic. We need to share our knowledge to help others. This first presentation was from a small panel and the book recommended to read was, “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Joy Degruy (I believe). One panel member spoke of evil and of course that started a debate. Do I believe in evil? Of course I do which is evident in my writings. Then there was some good people, do evil things and yes there is evil……..What I like about the States is they don’t censor too much. There is a refreshing perspective of opinions. I love that myself. I suppose I didn’t get too much from the first Keynote. Why? Because I live in a multicultural city. I have studied different cultures and religions. So, I shall give you some of me here. The Corona Virus has taken many lives world wide. Still there are those who haven’t woke up and smelled the coffee. I was told that about eight children were standing in a circle at a local park, near a middle school, passing a marijuana joint around after each takes a toke. The adult was too scared to say anything and that I have found to be the case, more often. Some adults are fearing youths because of possible violent retribution. Toronto the good? We had a child walking with his mother who was shot and later died. This beautiful child loved living in Canada, his new home who loved speaking English - guns and gangs. All I believe have been arrested, one was arrested out East. One I believe was already on probation for weapons offences. A policeman,OPP, a veteran of 28 years I believe, was killed. Why? He was responding to an unwanted person call. This happened in Manitoulin Island. It’s a pretty place. I have driven through there and thought it would be a peaceful place to live. Imagine being killed when you are debating retiring? So much sorrow. I love the different cultures with the accompanying dances, religions, and foods. There are different religions, different cultures, different political regimes. There is democracy, socialism, dictatorship. All this shapes people to become who they are. People define themselves differently regarding their own belief system or within their culture. When I see a person I may have an idea of their culture, religion etc…However, what is most important is how they see themselves and what they believe in which may be opposite from what another perceives. There is no doubt that some countries suffer terribly under dictatorship and poverty. The pandemic and global warming affects those living in Impoverished situations first and foremost. Greed has become the norm at the expense of others. In my undergrad we were studying (Analytical writing or reasoning) about the native communities and how their lakes were being polluted. Now years later I hear the same. Why hasn’t it been cleaned up? Why do they not have clean drinking water? This is all important in family therapy. It is important in how people relate within a family. I want to continue with my third hour session next week. It’s been busy, but a good busy. I am looking forward to my Christmas holidays. Tomorrow I will be listening to a lecture from the York Circle which will last an hour and a half. I have more to report next week. How do you perceive others who do not look like you or talk like you or who do not share your own beliefs? Do you consider them inferior to you? Would you help someone if you could? Would it depend on their race? Do you prejudge? Keep safe please. www.silvaredigonda.ca www.redigondapsychotherapy.com next week The second lecture I chose was “mitigating our risk for burn out and compassion fatigue during COVID 19: The first responder tool kit. I have already posted the tool kit reference. The rest I have talked to you before. If I am skipping things, it is not because I don’t think it is important, it is because a lot of what I hear has already been known and I have shared it with you. As you know I have an interest in first responders, veterans and others who help people, so scroll down my blogs to find anything relevant in that area. The next hour was “The body project: Family-level prevention of Eating Disorders. I haven’t spoken about this too much so I am going to talk about this next week. Bye for now.