This Black History Month, I find myself reflecting on the intersection of Black History and the history of Psychology. I recall my undergraduate History of Psychology course where I first learned about Dr. Robert V. Guthrie - a black psychologist, author, and educator who penned the seminal book, Even The Rat Was White. His writing "exposed the history of psychology [as it was] used to oppress blacks and promote the idea of black inferiority.” His later works shed light on the impact of Black psychologists who pioneered the field and paved the way for future Black psychologists to earn PhDs and advance into university level academic positions. 

To learn more about Dr. Guthrie's story and important contributions to the field, check out this short video presented by the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology located at the University of Akron.

Fun fact…Dr. Guthrie was born on Valentine's day. He would have been 93 today. 

Quote & photo source: African American Registry