A new report from the American Psychological Association's journal, American Psychologist, underscores the need for psychology to address and dismantle racism within the field. The special issue aims to redress past inequities by examining how psychology has perpetuated racial hierarchies and highlighting efforts to promote racial equality.

This initiative follows APA’s historic apology to people of color for its role in systemic racism. Joseph P. Gone, PhD, of Harvard University, who served as a guest editor and co-chair of the task force that developed the APA apology resolution, stated, “An apology is necessary and appropriate, but an apology is just words if it is not backed up by action. This special issue is one concrete expression of that commitment to the apology in the form of an action.”

Germine Awad, PhD, University of Michigan; Kevin Cokley, PhD, University of Michigan; Lillian Comas-Díaz, PhD, George Washington University; and Gordon Nagayama Hall, PhD, University of Oregon also contributed as editors. Awad remarked on the importance of psychologists’ role in dismantling racism: “Psychologists have a lot to offer in how we can dismantle racism... I hope this special issue serves as an invaluable resource for people in every sector of society who want to further understand the mechanisms of racism and how to go about dismantling it.”

The special issue includes several notable articles:

- "Epistemic Exclusion: A Theory for Understanding Racism in Faculty Research Evaluations" by Isis H. Settles et al., discusses how marginalized groups are devalued within academia and suggests equitable evaluation practices.

- "The Misperception of Organizational Racial Progress Toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" by Brittany Torrez et al., highlights misperceptions among U.S. workers regarding diversity progress in organizational leadership.

- "Reflections From the Wading Pool: Detoxifying Racist Psychological Waters While Submerged in Their Waves" by Riana Elyse Anderson et al., calls for reducing toxicity within psychological science before implementing community efforts.

- "Truth and Reconciliation for Whom? Transitional Justice for Indigenous Peoples in American Psychology" by Jillian Fish et al., explores meaningful actions APA can take to repair relations with Indigenous Peoples.

- "Standing Against Racial Capitalism: Reconsidering Psychology’s Role in Dismantling Systemic Racism" by Daniel José Gaztambide et al., argues that addressing both racial and economic inequality is crucial to combating systemic racism.

Reporters seeking additional articles should contact APA Public Affairs.

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