Episode 14: Psychology and Racism- a discussion with Dr. Richard Lee

The death of George Floyd during the pandemic forever changed the world. His brutal death demonstrates that racism is still an issue in our modern world today. This issue is too important not to talk about, so it is imperative we look at the psychology and history behind racism.

For over 20 years, Dr. Richard Lee has been researching  racial, ethnic, and migration experiences of immigrant and minoritized youth and families and how these experiences impact their development and mental health. As a current professor at the University of Minnesota, in the same city where George Floyd’s death occurred, he has played a key role in addressing and speaking out against racism. 

Dr. Richard Lee will share about how to talk with your children about racism, the psychology behind it, and how we can be a part of the solution for changing our world today.

Key takeaways

• A little bit about himself and the research he’s doing
• Some of he studies he’s done before and the recent ones he’s doing
• Important words he uses in his research
• Best way to respond to racism and discrimination
• How children can develop a good identity of self
• Other obstacles children encounter when developing their identities
• How a teacher can properly address discrimination in the classroom
• How Minneapolis has reacted to the death of George Floyd
• What the core of the problem is
• The psychology of racism and how it develops in people’s minds
• How to embrace other people’s ethnic backgrounds in a healthy way
• What he recommends people do

Dr. Richard Lee Bio:
Richard M Lee, PhD is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Distinguished University Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. For over 20 years, he has been conducting research on the racial, ethnic, and migration experiences of immigrant and minoritized youth and families and how these experiences impact their development and mental health. His recent research centers on how parents can facilitate the development of a healthy ethnic and racial identity and can prepare children to respond to racism and discrimination. Dr. Lee has received federal research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation and has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. He is a past president of the Asian American Psychological Association and past editor of Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.