As a counsellor, I have chosen a profession the overarching goal of which is to help clients reach deeper levels of awareness about themselves. To be a part of this professional community and to actively refrain from becoming aware of one’s own racial identity and the role that race has played and continues to play within society seems almost ironic, were it not that the social construction of race and racial identity is the farthest thing from being amusing. For counselling practitioners to ask their clients in good faith to explore their issues and develop awareness, it is necessary that the counselling practitioners themselves be willing to explore and develop an awareness of their own racial identity. Upon the completion of my research into race, racism, racial prejudice, racial identity, the socio-historical context of race within Kenya, as well as writing my personal narrative, I am left with an acute awareness of the challenges in maintaining and developing a deeper awareness of my White racial identity. That is to say, I am conscientious of the tension and feelings of discomfort that continue to arise when I grapple with the extraordinary power that the White racial group has claimed and the affect this has had and continues to have on society. I am aware that as I explore my own perceptions and attitudes concerning my racial group and the Black racial group I discover ugly truths and continue to feel a pull to return to the comfortable confines of oblivion. I am left with the realization of how easy it would be, and in accord with societal urgings, to recede to a frame of mind where external standards once again dictate my understanding of race. I am left with an awareness of how my journey involves remaining actively vigilant so as to allow my personal definition of race to be guided by reflection and introspection.
As a counsellor, I have chosen a profession the overarching goal of which is to help clients reach deeper levels of awareness about themselves. To be a part of this professional community and to actively refrain from becoming aware of one’s own racial identity and the role that race has played and continues to play within society seems almost ironic, were it not that the social construction of race and racial identity is the farthest thing from being amusing. For counselling practitioners to ask their clients in good faith to explore their issues and develop awareness, it is necessary that the counselling practitioners themselves be willing to explore and develop an awareness of their own racial identity. Upon the completion of my research into race, racism, racial prejudice, racial identity, the socio-historical context of race within Kenya, as well as writing my personal narrative, I am left with an acute awareness of the challenges in maintaining and developing a deeper awareness of my White racial identity. That is to say, I am conscientious of the tension and feelings of discomfort that continue to arise when I grapple with the extraordinary power that the White racial group has claimed and the affect this has had and continues to have on society. I am aware that as I explore my own perceptions and attitudes concerning my racial group and the Black racial group I discover ugly truths and continue to feel a pull to return to the comfortable confines of oblivion. I am left with the realization of how easy it would be, and in accord with societal urgings, to recede to a frame of mind where external standards once again dictate my understanding of race. I am left with an awareness of how my journey involves remaining actively vigilant so as to allow my personal definition of race to be guided by reflection and introspection.
Beginning%20Counsellor%20Sumarah%202009.docx