The American Psychological Association apologized to people of color last week for its role “in promoting, perpetuating, and failing to challenge racism”, NBC reported.  

The APA addressed in their statement how the organization’s actions, and failures to act, have impacted people of color since the 1800s.  

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“APA was established by white male leadership, many of whom contributed to scientific inquiry and methods that perpetuated systemic racial oppression, including promoting the ideas of early 20th-century eugenics,” the resolution said. 

The statement also acknowledged APA failed attempts to apologize in the past. The organization has an entire plan of making amends to people of color in the future.    

The association said it is committed to decentering whiteness in its “science, scholarship, and practice.” To back this up, the APA will participate in an audit of all its equity, diversity and inclusion efforts, plus its staff, policies and practices, it said. The audit is set to conclude by early next year. 

Moving forward, the APA wants to focus on creating culturally diverse knowledge production and scholarship, expanding opportunities for students and scholars of color and elevating clinical and health equity practices.