The Tug of War: Why Racial Progress Often Meets Resistance and Backlash

Jul 23, 2025

Explore the perpetual tug of war between racial progress and resistance, uncovering the psychological factors behind racial injustice. Delve into the implications of removing Dr. King’s bust from the White House and the societal values it reflects. Learn about the challenges of confronting uncomfortable truths within the context of white supremacy and ongoing racial justice initiatives. The discussion also touches on the recent attitudes toward Juneteenth and the importance of acknowledging historical injustices for genuine progress.

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INSIGHT

Symbolism of Bust Removal

Removal of Dr. King's bust symbolized a threat to progress and community values.
This act reflects anxiety and defense mechanisms blocking racial progress in society.

INSIGHT

Defense Through Removal Acts

Removing symbols can express unconscious aggression and defense against pain or shame.
Such removals indicate an inability to contain difficult historical truths and losses.

ANECDOTE

Dr. King's Continued Impact

Dr. Messina reflected on Dr. King's book emphasizing white America’s reluctance to close racial equality gaps.
She wonders how different history might have been had Dr. King survived.

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Dr. Karyne Messina and Dr. Felicia Powell-Williams, the host and co-host of “Psychoanalytic Perspectives of Racism in America” sponsored by The American Psychoanalytic Association explored how employing mechanisms of defense perpetuates racial injustice’s movement forward and the resistance it faces as a tug of war, i.e., progress followed by backlash.

They examined the symbolic removal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s bust from the White House and its implications for societal values, while also talking about the impact of Dr. King’s assassination and the current state of racial justice initiatives. The conversation included a discussion about the challenges of tolerating difficult truths and emotions in both psychoanalysis and society, including the persistence of white supremacy and its modern manifestations. It also underscored how symbols of the civil rights movement have been honored at the highest level of government yet in this case defense mechanisms initiated the physical removal of the bust.

Other topics discussed by the host and co-host covered the current administration’s sense of Juneteenth including the press secretary’s statements that suggested the day was “observed” but not “celebrated.” Her statements seemed to be in line with President Trump’s remarks about Americans having “too many holidays” which many observers interpreted as a direct critique of Juneteenth itself and, more broadly, of recent efforts to deemphasize the historical experiences of Black Americans. This approach stands in contrast to previous years when Donald Trump issued statements honoring Juneteenth.

Some analysts and advocates have noted that the timing of President Trump’s post was likely not coincidental. By choosing Juneteenth to air grievances about paid holidays, he sent a message to his political base that aligns with his administration’s broader efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The lack of formal White House observance and Trump’s public complaints about holidays were viewed by some as part of a pattern of minimizing the importance of this holiday and its meaning for Black Americans as well as all people in this country who celebrate the end of slavery.

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