The evening opened with blessings and a poem from Tyson Amir, author of Black Boy Poems: An Account of Black Survival in America, setting the stage perfectly for Skyline College Psychology Professor Tony Jackson’s readings from his recently published book Black Male Violence in Perspective: Toward Afrocentric Intervention for the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists (BACABP) virtual fundraising event.
Dr. Jackson led an engaging discussion of his book which “examines the psychosocial dynamic of violence relative to African-American men, as it is inextricably tied to the history of violence in America including colonialism, expansionism, and concepts of manifest destiny”. Through the lens of his lived experience and psychology learnings, he articulates the need for African-centered intervention and restoration models based in African cultural paradigms.
Attendees were introduced by the author himself, to the book’s exploration into the psychology underlying violent behavior and a theory of intervention and treatment.
The Association of Black Psychologists President, Theopia Jackson of Saybrook University, describes Dr. Jackson’s work as “a powerfully raw and intellectually provocative piece; embodying the contemporary civil rights synergy! As an African American female scholar-practitioner, advocate, and mother of sons, I applaud Dr. Jackson’s clarity and voice in conveying complex ideas in real life language. This is an essential read for community leaders and families, as well as professionals with the common intention of facilitating and nurturing resiliency among Black males. Jackson keenly denotes how exposure to violence should be considered a health epidemic; it is much more than a social determinant. When considering the lived experiences of males of African ancestry, he astutely answers the question of what happened to you versus what is wrong with you. The concept of the Three-Headed Dragon brilliantly illuminates the residuals of complex trauma, specifically historical trauma, and directs us toward culturally-congruent interventions that promote posttraumatic growth. Most impressive, I salute the courageous authenticity in which Tony shares the ‘gift’ of his story as the story of many, including professionals of color. However, this transformative gift is not reading for the light of heart as much as for the strong of spirit.”
Dr. Jackson’s experience growing up in south central Los Angeles is a catalyst for his work. It informs the narrative of his book which chronicles the effects of racism, and identifies and addresses the resulting dangerous emotions that clinically impact Black men.
In his forward to Dr. Jackson’s book, Wade W. Nobles, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Africana Studies and Black Psychology at San Francisco State University and founder of the Association of Black Psychologists; states that “The value of this book is that the reading of it helps to prescribe and excite solutions and actions, which will help free African people, especially Black men, from both material and spiritual degradation brought about by violence. In light of the constant killing of Black men (by white law enforcement officers) … this book is both timely and significant.”
Author, educator, and artivist; Dr. Jackson is also the co-author of “Psychology: Connections in Theory and Practice 4th ed.” as well as this most recent work, “Black Male Violence in Perspective-Towards an Afrocentric Approach” published by Lexington Books (division of Rowan and Littlefield Pub.). Along with his many accomplishments at Skyline College his career includes current and past leadership roles in several Psychology Associations, Committees and Foundations. However, his passion for bringing Hip Hop and other musical forms as well as practical application of psychological principles into the classroom remains the driving force in his work.
You can hear Dr. Jackson share his insights on the research process at the Skyline College uSOAR – Undergraduate Symposium of Academic Research event on April 28th at 5:00 p.m. Learn more about his book at – https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498550857/Black-Male-Violence-in-Perspective-Toward-Afrocentric-Intervention.
Article by Chris Burwell-Woo