WORDS MEAN THINGS: Racial Bias in the Language of Family Policing

This January, CAFL Training hosted a Racial Justice Drop-In focusing on Race Bias in Language used in the family regulation context. We are following up on this rich discussion with Words Mean Things: Racial Bias in the Language of Family Policing with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Aleesha Young, LPC, PsyD, and Suffolk based family defense practitioner Attorney Laura Openshaw.

In this training, we hope to review and explore how often used language within DCF documents and practice functions to denigrate and belittle parents and how deeply imbedded social stereotypes perpetuate prejudice within family regulation cases. Dr. Young and Attorney Openshaw will provide a framework for identifying and challenging these biases in court practice. Please note that while this segment will focus on race bias, we understand how language can also be weaponized against age, disability, gender, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status and will approach this theme with that understanding.