Facts, Fictions and Collective Anxieties
in the Contemporary Immigration Debate
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 2019
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION:
Saint Louis Psychoanalytic Institute
8820 Ladue Road, 3rd Floor
Saint Louis, MO 63124
ABOUT THE EVENT
The American social landscape has changed dramatically in the last three decades, driven primarily by Mexican and other Latin American immigration. These changes have sparked deep debate, as politicians and others scapegoat immigrants as the source of America’s ills. Dr. Ainslie will not only give the history and current status of this issue, but also use this anti-Latino discourse as a microcosm of the issues facing our our nation, and our city.
This interactive, dynamic evening will not only delve into the psychoanalytic framework of the “why” of the “otherness,” giving insights into the role of communities as psychic entities, and our perceived roles within, but also open up the dialogue for mental health professionals, educators, social workers and all attendees to find pathways to better communication and being able to work better with those in their care. These insights will also be of interest to anyone who wishes to gain a better understanding of the current immigration debate, and how to close the distance between cultures, overcome resistance to change, and offer change that works.
Ricardo Ainslie, PhD is a psychologist-psychoanalyst who uses writing, filmmaking, and photography to capture and depict subjects of social and cultural interest. A native of Mexico City, he currently teaches at the University of Texas at Austin where he holds the M.K. Hage Centennial Professorship in Education. His expertise on immigration issues, especially in surrounding Latino immigration, is extensive.