Unpacking 'la mochila' of Latino white privilege : relationships among white privilege, color blind attitudes, and internalized racism among Latinos

Abstract

Dedication I would like to dedicate this dissertation to all of the psychologists who have made countless efforts to eradicate injustices and create a fair and equitable society. Your work has been a pillar of strength throughout my academic training and for that, I am truly grateful. In the words of Dr. Cornel West, "Justice is what love looks like in public." Thank you for loving fearlessly. LATINOS AND WHITE PRIVILEGE iii Acknowledgments As Paulo Coelho once said, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." The universe has certainly provided me with the people and experiences needed to achieve my goals and dreams of becoming a psychologist. I would like to express my most sincere and deepest gratitude to Dr. Robinson-Wood, one of the mentors that I had the honor to learn from and work with throughout my doctoral program. Your guidance and faith in my abilities were the motivating force that propelled me to new heights in the program. Not only did you provide the tools needed to become a well-rounded academic, you reminded me of the power behind my voice. You are an avid advocate for your students and your dedication does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your dedication and constant encouragement. You were, undoubtedly, one of the most important and inspiring mentors of my career. Dr. Sanchez, thank you for being a wonderful advisor, mentor, and leader for the Latino community. I truly appreciate all of the support you provided throughout the program including your perspectives on class, race, ethnicity, and gender. I will always cherish our one-to-one meetings where I learned more about the pioneers in the field of social justice. I still recall when I began thinking about my dissertation topic. You reminded me to "begin writing it down" despite me fears and insecurities. Thank you for your encouragement and mentorship. LATINOS AND WHITE PRIVILEGE iv To Dr. Ballou, thank you for your support and perspective on power and privilege within the context of my dissertation. Your feedback added to my repertoire of knowledge both theoretically and clinically. I would like to thank my parents, Florentina and Vasco Fernandes. Although neither one of you had the privilege to attend a university or complete a college degree, your appreciation for education was very much apparent. Your experiences taught me the importance and liberating power of an education. I would also like to thank my aunts whose struggles with poverty and patriarchy encouraged me to go against the status quo and become the first person in my family to pursue a doctoral degree. To my friends, specifically, Amanda, Amelia, Fitz, Jose, and Laura, your texts, phone calls, and check-ins were very much appreciated. To my friends who are first generation college students like myself, thank you for your encouragement and for keeping me grounded when I need it most. Carlos, thank you for your unwavering support throughout this project. It was truly appreciated. Finally, I would like to thank the participants who took the...