Humanism as Repression: Counselors Training Police

Abstract

Passage of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 has led to both increased expenditure on police technology and humanistically oriented police training programs. While those two outcomes may seem contradictory, both aid police in their attempt to achieve social control. Advocates of humanistic police training programs have generally ignored the role of police in maintaining societal inequalities, repressing assent and social change, and diffusing legitimate protest. Seen in the light of those larger social issues, human relations skills in the hands of the police can become effective tools with which to achieve social control while avoiding the resistance generated by more coercive methods. As such, they function not as progressive, humanistic measures, but rather as a means for perpetuating human oppression.

The prevalence and practice impact of weight bias among New Zealand registered dietitians

“…Examples of weight stigma include ridicule from strangers, unsolicited advice regarding weight or diet from strangers, family, friends, and microaggressions such as staring, rolling eyes, and tutting. 3,4 Weight stigma in our physical environment, healthcare system, media, entertainment, politics, from loved ones, and social stereotypes make people feel like they should take up less space. 5,6 Weight stigma is positively associated with diabetes risk, cortisol level, oxidative stress level, C-reactive protein level, eating disturbances, depression, anxiety, body image dissatisfaction, and negatively associated with self-esteem.…”

“…11 Weight bias includes inflexible and irrational attitudes and opinions held by members of one weight-based group about another. 3 Weight bias comes from multiple contributors. 12 Weight bias can stem from misinformation which is a culturally held untrue belief that people can control the size and shape of their body and that people need to have a smaller body to be healthy.…”