So, about me...

At the age 9 years old, August 15, 1981, my parents and their friends were victims of police brutality. We lived in a community of several cultures and religious beliefs. Unfortunately, one family identified themselves as “white supremacists.” Those words came from their mouths. They made it clear that we were not welcome. Long story short, that evening they called the police and made up stories that my parents and other parents were giving alcohol and drugs to kids, including me, my sister and kids of the other parents.

Without investigating, LAPD showed up. One officer took out his night stick and knocked out one of the parents to the ground. My father, an Army Veteran knew that was inappropriate and asked for his name and badge number. Well in the 1980’s there were no video cameras to show the truth. My father was then beat to the ground by the officer with a night stick, his neck and back broken. My mother acted on instinct and jumped on the officer to stop him from doing any further damage.  

From there, all I remember was chaos, more LAPD officers showing up and beating up other adults, helicopters flying over us. The adults, taken away to jail, leaving all of us children behind. Luckily we had safe neighbors to care for us while other family members came for us and bailed out the adults from jail. A few weeks after the incident, my father happened to be in the presence of the officer who beat him almost  to death. The officer apologized and admitted he was wrong. It was too late. Trust in the community was broken and we had a 4 year process of a lawsuit. I will not bore you with the details. This happened when I was 9 years old. That was traumatic of course. Yes I did go to therapy, but from age 9-15.

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I had a hard time learning in school. In 9th grade I had been taken out of class once a week by a specialist who knew about the trauma, recognized a possible learning disability, but also knew I was capable of overcoming and taught me how to learn and take in information a different way. I am grateful for her. One person cared enough to give me hope and show me that I did not have to keep the identity of being a victim forever.

After learning how to learn my own way, and find meaning and purpose, I continued my education. I did two Master’s Degrees. I worked with children who had learning disabilities as well children with special needs. Why did I go for a second Master’s degree? I realized parents and siblings of the children I was helping were also in need of support. So I continued my education to become a LMFT. I felt I could be more helpful. During my internship, That 9 year old little girl trauma returned as I noticed I was very nervous around police as they were present in the organization I was placed. I realized the only way to work through the fear of being around police was to work directly with them. I had so much hope working alongside LAPD, probation, and parole officers. I truly believed I had worked through it. I know there is good and bad in all professions, but this felt like a victory.

As a therapist, many of us were taught to keep politics out of therapy. But in the past year, it has been challenging. How can one keep politics out of therapy if people are coming to get help because of what is happening with everyday politics. Polices are changing and ripping families apart, causing trauma, ending relationships. So I decided I will use my MA in Educational Psychology and Counseling to co-facilitate groups as a “Thread Keeper” and I will follow legal/ethical for my psychotherapy cases. I understand my privilege, and I want to give back to my community and humanity. If that one special teacher did not show up for me in 9th grade, I do not think I would have had this opportunity to be here for others in need. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to be a safe space and safe person as we all navigate the frightening changes and challenges today.

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