The American Psychological Association's decision to disband the Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training (CEMRRAT) has sparked criticism and concerns about the organization's dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This move follows a pattern of actions that appear to undermine DEI efforts within the APA.
The American Psychological Association's ( APA ) decision to disband the Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment , Retention, and Training ( CEMRRAT ) represents a significant setback for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of psychology.
This action, communicated to CEMRRAT members this week, raises serious questions about the APA’s genuine commitment to increasing representation and addressing systemic barriers faced by psychologists of color. CEMRRAT has historically played a crucial role in advancing ethnic minority issues, providing vital resources through implementation grants and seed funding for projects focused on recruitment, retention, multicultural training, and mentorship.
The commission also developed essential documents to support and retain faculty of color, directly addressing the historical and ongoing challenges experienced by racial and ethnic minorities within the APA and the broader field. The disbanding of CEMRRAT isn’t an isolated incident but rather part of a concerning pattern of actions that quietly dismantle DEI initiatives within the APA.
This follows a previous suspension of CEMRRAT’s budget, which had a devastating impact on many APA members of color, and last year’s relaxation of APA accreditation guidelines aimed at diversifying psychology graduate programs. While the APA attempted to justify these changes by citing state-level anti-DEI laws or separating accreditation from its core values, the cumulative effect suggests a deliberate shift away from prioritizing diversity.
The APA’s actions stand in stark contrast to the extensive body of psychological and social science research that demonstrates the clear benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The ease with which the APA dismantled its primary program dedicated to supporting psychologists from diverse backgrounds suggests that DEI were never truly core values of the organization.
The Association for Black Psychologists (ABPsi) has already voiced concerns, characterizing a previous APA apology to people of color as potentially disingenuous, designed to obscure the truth about the organization’s shortcomings. The creation of CEMRRAT itself was a response to the documented harms inflicted upon racial and ethnic minorities by the APA and the field of psychology. A recent taskforce was established to further document these harms and advise the APA on how to make amends.
However, concerns were raised that this taskforce might be performative, lacking concrete actionable outcomes. Despite assurances that APA resolutions would be produced to ensure accountability, the disbanding of CEMRRAT demonstrates a continued failure to protect and support people of color, even amidst external attacks on DEI initiatives. The current demographic makeup of the field, with Black psychologists comprising only 4% compared to 86% White psychologists, underscores the urgent need for sustained and meaningful efforts to diversify the profession.
The decision to dismantle CEMRRAT, an organization specifically tasked with addressing this issue, is a deeply troubling signal about the APA’s priorities and its willingness to address systemic inequities. It leaves many wondering when the next apology to communities of color will be issued, and whether it will be accompanied by genuine, impactful change
Diversity & Inclusion Social Justice Organizational News APA CEMRRAT Diversity Equity Inclusion Psychology DEI Ethnic Minority Recruitment
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