Immigration and Race: A Challenge of Many Shades

This article describes the history of race relations and the rapidly changing racial topography of the United States. The authors address the history of racism and discrimination experienced by minority populations and immigrants of color and the psychological effects on these populations and describe the risk factors and protective factors that come into play when individuals are faced with experiences of discrimination and racism. They describe the process of ethnic-racial identity development and the different styles of ethnic-racial socialization and cultural orientation. Ultimately, it explains the importance of ethnicity and race in the psychotherapeutic encounter.