Problem or Solution?
Let me be very clear about something. Around here, we are Team ACLP.
If you’re not, tell me why.
Here’s my why. One of them anyway.
Over the past few months, pretty much since covid ruined everything, I have heard “the ACLP” described as insensitive, selfish, unnecessary, racist, retaliatory, secretive, dismissive, uninformed, and more. In fact, one such Instagram account, that shall remain unnamed, went so far as to refer to the ACLP as a “white supremacist organization.” Seriously? According to dictionary.com, “white supremacy” is defined as “the belief, theory, or doctrine that white people are inherently superior to people from all other racial and ethnic groups, especially, Black people, and are therefore rightfully the dominant group in any society” (2020).
Are you kidding me right now?
Someone else even suggested child life specialists needed to unionize. Do you even understand how unions work? #ridiculous
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By my count, as of today, there are only 13 ACLP employees. One. Three.
T.H.I.R.T.E.E.N
Oh, and surprise! They aren’t the decision makers regarding the direction of the profession, ACLP members are. This is because members volunteer their time to serve on committees, task forces, and the Board. Yes, real life ACLP members who are actually on the front lines caring for patients, coaching students, making slime, planning special events, teaching classes, supervising playrooms, managing staff, organizing donations, and coordinating programs such as broadcast studios, facility dogs, support groups, volunteers, and more. (Side note: They are also miraculously managing to balance a personal life.)
For the record, you are referring to every member of the ACLP, when you call out “the ACLP.” You think you’re calling out the staff, but you’re not. You’re calling out the people in the trenches. You may even be calling out yourself.
The role of ACLP staff is to advance the profession by promoting decisions made at the committee and task force level, and approved by the Board. If you don’t like the direction something is heading, get involved, we need your voice. Email the chair of the committee or task force charged with the topic in which you have an interest. You have a responsibility to speak up and you have a responsibility to do a bit of listening. Also, understand that members of committees and task forces aren’t randomly distributed. Professionals request to serve in areas where they have expertise or interest. They are known as content experts. Child life students are encouraged to volunteer, as well.
Your words matter. Don’t let your emotions run your mouth.
So, as a reminder, around here, we are Team ACLP.
And before that, I was Team CLC.
And before that, I was Team ACCH.
And, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s time to brush up on your child life history.
White supremacy. (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2020, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/white-supremacy?s=t
