Dr.Stacey Pearson-Wharton

The recent incident of the Obamas being depicted as animals was a painful reminder of how often Black people are bombarded with negative portrayals simply for being Black. The tropes are endless—“we’re not smart,” the “angry Black woman,” the “aggressive Black man,” or that we’re somehow “more animal than human.” These stereotypes are cruel, dehumanizing, and exhausting. If we’re not careful, we can start to believe these lies. That’s the insidious nature of racism—it isn’t always loud or...

Recently, a client shared a situation of discrimination and harassment, insisting it was “unintentional racism.” That raised a critical question: does it matter whether racism is intentional or unintentional? My answer is simple—the impact is the same. Understanding Unintentional Racism Unintentional racism often arises when we piece together judgments from snippets of information about people. It’s the automatic associations we make without reflection. For example: • When I say peanut...

We hear it all the time: Set boundaries. Say no. Protect your peace. And yet, when it’s time to draw that line in the sand, many of us freeze. We know boundaries are good for us—essential, even. They help us preserve our energy, honor our values, and show up authentically. But let’s be real: setting limits can feel like a full-body workout for the soul. Boundaries aren’t just about saying no to others—they’re about saying yes to yourself. They can be physical, emotional, time-based,...