Barriers to Closeness: Is Race an Obstacle? Or a Bridge?

Dr. Shirke conceptualizes racism and prejudice as the consequence of intergenerational transference of experiences and attitudes about the identities of self and of others. Two analytic theories of mind can be applied to grasp this intellectually, prior to integrating emotionally this sensibility. From an object-relations point of view, our experiences of ourselves in relation to others are initially within our family of origin, and eventually are of ourselves (usually within the family unit) relating to the outside world. The speech and behavior of those around us regarding concrete aspects of identity, such as skin tone, class or perceived ethnicity (religion, race, culture, nation of origin), are internalized most often via non-verbal experiences, but also at times by explicit verbal instruction. These early experiences are transferred on top of current experiences. And analytically, we can understand that the template of our formative experiences were themselves transferred from what was experienced by people in previous generations. From a self-psychological point of view, our subjective self-estimation is transferred from what was 'mirrored' to us by those around us, starting with parents and growing to include others in our community. This mirroring includes what we think is esteemed subjectively as good or bad by those others. Analytically, what is mirrored as valuable by those others is also transferred from what was mirrored as good or bad to them in previous generations. A particular set of objective and subjective experiences of African-Americans is distinguishable from that of other people who have been targets of prejudice, such as voluntary immigrants. The fact of slavery, the relatively recent history of the ownership of a group of people as a form of capital in early industrial farming, has left an impression that can be better understood both from the object-relations point of view and also a self-psychological perspective.

Event Location

Seminar | Saturday, Oct 3, 11:45AM - 1:15PM

About the Event.

Dr. Shirke conceptualizes racism and prejudice as the consequence of intergenerational transference of experiences and attitudes about the identities of self and of others. Two analytic theories of mind can be applied to grasp this intellectually, prior to integrating emotionally this sensibility. From an object-relations point of view, our experiences of ourselves in relation to others are initially within our family of origin, and eventually are of ourselves (usually within the family unit) relating to the outside world. The speech and behavior of those around us regarding concrete aspects of identity, such as skin tone, class or perceived ethnicity (religion, race, culture, nation of origin), are internalized most often via non-verbal experiences, but also at times by explicit verbal instruction. These early experiences are transferred on top of current experiences. And analytically, we can understand that the template of our formative experiences were themselves transferred from what was experienced by people in previous generations. From a self-psychological point of view, our subjective self-estimation is transferred from what was 'mirrored' to us by those around us, starting with parents and growing to include others in our community. This mirroring includes what we think is esteemed subjectively as good or bad by those others. Analytically, what is mirrored as valuable by those others is also transferred from what was mirrored as good or bad to them in previous generations. A particular set of objective and subjective experiences of African-Americans is distinguishable from that of other people who have been targets of prejudice, such as voluntary immigrants. The fact of slavery, the relatively recent history of the ownership of a group of people as a form of capital in early industrial farming, has left an impression that can be better understood both from the object-relations point of view and also a self-psychological perspective.

Learning Objectives.

1. Students should be able to describe a connection between a particular person's early experiences of identity and how that has become internalized into the way they relate to others.

2. Students should be able to describe a connection between a particular person's subjective sense of themselves and how that self-estimation is the result of what they sensed was subjectively valued by those in their developmental years.

3. Students should be able to discuss what, if anything, is analytically distinct about the African-American experience.

CME/ CE Statement.

ACCME Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and Psychoanalytic Association of New York. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement
The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York (affiliated with NYU Grossman School of Medicine) is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0112.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York, affiliated with NYU School of Medicine is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0124.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts #P0064.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0304.

CME/ CE Credits Available: 1.5

Citations.

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