“Together, We Empower. Together, We Are Enough”: Radical Healing Among Pinay Scholar-Activists

Abstract

Filipinas face barriers to psychological wellbeing that stem from interlocking oppressive systems, like racism, sexism, capitalism, and colonialism. This article explores how Pinay scholar-activists cultivate radical healing through an intergenerational mentorship program for Filipina/x/o youth in Southern California. We apply a critical collaborative autoethnography drawing from the Psychological Framework for Radical Healing (French et al., 2020) and Pinayism, the theoretical framework to conceptualize the social, political, and economic oppression and struggle for growth faced by Pinays (Tintiangco-Cubales & Sacramento, 2022). We explore how Pinay scholar-activists heal from oppression by fostering loving relationships with the self and community and critically reflecting on and acting against oppression and toward social change. We conclude with considerations for radical healing through feminist community development and ethnic studies education.

Keywords:

• activism
• critical collaborative autoethnography
• Filipinas
• Pinayism
• radical healing

Acknowledgements

We extend our deepest gratitude to Lakas Mentorship Program staff, mentors, and mentees who sustain our radical hope for a better future. We would also like to thank Dr. Jocyl Sacramento for reviewing earlier versions of this article and the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies (previously at the University of California, Davis) for offering us a platform to explore our Pinay scholar-activism.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Throughout this text, we use the following terminology: Pinay (political identity for Filipina Americans); Pilipino (people with ancestral ties to the Philippines who are residing in the Philippines; the usage of “P” in Pilipino is based on the absence of “F” in Tagalog alphabet); Filipina/x/o American (gender-inclusive term for people with ancestral ties to the Philippines who are in the United States, based on the United States federal category of “Filipino”).

2 Since Lakas’ inception in 2012, a handful of social service organizations serving Filipina/x/o Americans established themselves in the region. Notably, in Riverside County, the Filipino American Mental Health Resource Center (established 2017) provides mental health outreach services and Kapwa Kabataan Inland Empire (established 2020) nurtures youth’s identity and leadership development and mental health. Other organizations in the region that serve Asian Americans more broadly, including Filipina/x/o Americans, include Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (established in 1997) and the Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers (established in 1977 and expanded to Riverside county in 2019).

3 The approach of identifying Filipino-speaking therapists on PsychologyToday.com was used as a proxy for therapists with some cultural competency for the Filipina/x/o community. Alternatively, Therapinay.com was recently launched as a directory of therapists and healers who understand the Filipina/x/o experience. As of February 2023, Therapinay.com listed 2 providers in Orange County and 0 in the Inland Empire.

4 For examples of ways people have applied Pinayism in healing spaces, education, and other domains, see: http://pinayism.com/about.

5 See: Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women. (2020). Building Bridges, Not Walking on Backs: A Feminist Economic Recovery Plan for COVID-19. Department of Human Services, State of Hawaiʻi.