Dr.Stacey Pearson-Wharton

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,...

When Racism Happens in Real Time: Responding with the 4 D’s of Bystander Intervention Have you ever found yourself in a moment where someone says or does something racist—and it happens so fast, you freeze? The moment passes, but it lingers in your mind. Hours later, maybe even days, you’re still replaying it, thinking of all the ways you could have  responded. These moments can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response. Your body reacts before your brain has time to process. And while...