The white mirror: Face to face with racism in group analysis part 2—mainly practice. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aiyegbusi, Anne
• Is Part Of: Group analysis. Volume 54:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 421
• Page End: 436
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: the white mirror -- group mirroring -- attachment -- group analysis -- racism -- 'race' -- racialized trauma -- racialized social unconscious -- trauma response -- intersectionality; Group psychoanalysis -- Periodicals; 616.8917
• DOI: 10.1177/0533316421992438
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0533-3164

Abstract

This is my second article about a form of group mirroring I have called the white mirror. The previous article focused on underpinning theory. This article is practice oriented. I argue that the white mirror is a defensive structure, primarily functioning to prevent white group members, including the conductor(s) from coming face to face with the reality of racism. It mirrors projections in the form of racist stereotypes for black members to internalize in their position as the location of disturbance. I highlight present and historical black victimization which I feel requires elucidation given its position in the shadows of psychotherapy. I am mindful of the intersecting nature of identities and touch on this through a clinical example. I suggest how group analysts might work with the ubiquity of racism, engaging ethnically-diverse members at a level of full and mutual humanity.