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Authoritarianism and the Person-Centered Approach: A Firsthand Account of the L.A. Protests
Authoritarianism and the Person-Centered Approach: A Firsthand Account of the L.A. Protests
Author: Maple Moriji, Long Beach, CA.
Abstract
Eighty years after the defeat of fascism in the Second World War, right-wing populism has seen a resurgence in countries around the world. Since Donald Trump resumed the presidency in the United States, the dismantling of democracy has been taking place rapidly with hardly any pushback from the opposition.
All branches of government are controlled by Republicans who, with few exceptions, do not dare go against the whims of the President.
Carl Rogers (1977), against the backdrop of the Nixon administration’s abuses of power, wrote about “the perfect soil for developing a dictatorship” in the United States (p. 259). As many of his adherents around the world have noted, the personcentered approach places great importance on every human life.
With this in mind, many person-centered practitioners have argued against remaining neutral and ignoring issues at large in society, instead advocating for more political engagement inside and outside of counseling rooms. I am one of those who believe we must take action and not stand idly by while our rights are being taken away.
When oppression becomes so prevalent in society and democratic recourses are unavailable, therapists—especially person-centered ones—have a responsibility to protest with other like-minded people. Large-scale protests are particularly effective at pressuring governments and have led to the demise of authoritarian regimes. The Greater Los Angeles Area, the second largest metropolitan area in the United States after New York, was the first to be targeted by the Trump administration.
Immigration raids and the deployment of troops on the streets have sparked protests across the city. My paper will highlight my personal experiences living in Los Angeles as I join others in protesting the Trump administration.
Keywords: authoritarianism; immigration; Los Angeles; person-centered approach; protest