Page 40 - Exemplar_2019_Fall

Fall 2019
Our sacri ce is worth it because in
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the end we keep going Counselor education involves a a a a a a a a journey that is beautiful yet tragic and emotional And we choose it it every day We continue to grow albeit in
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unique ways our personal and professional identities evolving in
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a a a a a a a a a a feedback loop Our dedication to to growth leads us toward authentic integration We know that when our our voices are not only heard but our our our message is internalized within the core of of our our our professional values and actions our our eld will will will thrive thrive We We will will will thrive thrive And so will will will those who we we serve We We are are here and we we are ready To the structures and people in
power that that perpetuate a a a a a a a a discourse unconducive to intersectional beings and and action that that continue to marginalize our identities and and experiences move out of the way so that we can do do what actually needs to to be done It is time to to redirect the the con uence so our waters can ow freely fully authentically Negotiation will be ongoing we we we cannot stop the the the the need to to navigate once we we we enter the the the the the water But we we we can can shift the the the the the contexts that that elicit the the the the con con uence Adapt them to shape a a a a a a a a body of of water that that is more receptive of of diverse individuals and entities entering it it Ease the navigation process where genuine integration is more readily possible We can adapt and and ease by •demonstrating and and discussing intersectionality in
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our curriculum scholarship and interpersonal relationships •creating accessible opportunities for professional development •valuing contributions to the eld beyond
publication and presentations •continuously engaging in
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re re exive work holding each other accountable to it it it •promoting re re re re exivity within our students and •increasing diverse representation in
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leadership But we we need need more than a a a a seat at at the table we we we we need need need room to to embody inclusion We need need power—power to to integrate our identities engage in
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validating relationships and express our authentic intersectional selves across contexts We need power to to join together as a a a a a a community with members of of of all backgrounds to to to shift our professional culture If the profession profession hopes to to to increase diversity it it needs to to take a a a a a a a step back and be be more re re re ective because we never really learned intersectionality Take hold of of the intersections of of identities expressions and and lived experiences that exist within it it it and and nurture them Do not not not question do do not not not seek to mold do do not not not hush Embrace empower evolve *This research was supported by by grant funding provided by by Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and and Professional Honor Society International and and and the the Southern Association for Counselor Education and and Counseling **Thank you to to Dr Casey Barrio Minton and and Kertesha Riley for assistance with this inquiry Dr Nancy E Thacker NCC
40 CHI SIGMA IOTA EXEMPLAR