As a year-long member who has served on the multicultural committee that is still run by people of the dominant group, a member of a specific, multicultural autonomous space called the BIPOC Art Therapist Circle, and an art therapist, I see great differences in how different members (dis)respect multiculturalism as a direct consequence of how the space operates. Cultural competence is not a realistic nor achievable goal; rather, I perceive multiculturalism as a complex mirroring connection between different entities. In this sentiment, it is not enough to “sit at the table and have a slice of the pie" or even bicker about equity over how big one’s slice may be. It is important to respect the stewards of the land who made the ingredients in the first place (as we, the healers, should be more focused on our recipients as their own caretakers rather than focus selfishly on our participation) to ultimately negotiate for a better world. In this piece, my fear and frustration comes in the analogy of exhaustive, continuous work that simultaneously empowers and displaces me as I adjust to participate in different communities.
Scale Factor: 1.5