Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter

Events in recent weeks remind us how far we have to go toward equity. The senseless killing of George Floyd, one of the latest in a recent, and historical, series of acts of violence perpetrated against Black men and women, sickens and saddens us.

At this pivotal time in history, ABMP stands for a world in which Black people have the social, economic, and political power to thrive, and every person is deserving of equality, safety, and freedom.

This excerpt from the ABMP Code of Ethics underscores our belief:

Commitment to Uphold the Inherent Worth of All Individuals

“I will demonstrate compassion, respect, and tolerance for others. I will seek to end discrimination, misunderstandings, and prejudice … I will not refuse service to any client based on disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, physical build, or sexual orientation; religious, national, or political affiliation; [or] social or economic status.”

It will take each of us adopting new behaviors to judge everyone on their character, integrity, and humanity, rather than on their origin or skin color, to create a society in which no one walks out of their home worried about how they will be treated, much less their physical safety.

But these things are easy to say.

In the past few weeks, our leadership team has asked itself hard questions and reflected on the role we’ve played in systemic racism, asking ourselves what that means, how we’ve passively contributed, and how we’ve benefited. These are uncomfortable conversations, but necessary. As we reflect, we are refocusing our recruiting and hiring practices and our content sourcing. We are discussing our leadership diversity and strategies we can take to increase it. We will continue to ask ourselves these tough questions and are ready to listen and learn.  

A system that devalues Black lives is intolerable. Part of the solution includes looking in the mirror and acknowledging that such a system is bad for all of us.

Please join us as we support each other at this crucial time and endeavor to create a better and more inclusive world by rooting out prejudiced actions, both conscious and unconscious, as a critical step in the effort to end systemic racism.

We would like to begin with a small but, we hope, meaningful step. Our team will be taking the course “Unconscious Bias” by our friends at Healwell, and we have partnered with them to provide the course for free to the massage and bodywork profession now through the end of July at https://healwell.thinkific.com/courses/unconscious-bias. We hope you, like us, learn from this valuable material.

Les Sweeney, BCTMB
President/CEO
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

Category: 

News

Florida Bill Requires Gender-Exclusive Restrooms

Florida lawmakers passed a bill that requires individuals to use, and certain public spaces to provide, restrooms that align with their sex assigned at birth. Find out how House Bill 1521, signed by Governor Ron De Santis, may affect your school.

Arizona Repeals Communication Proficiency Tests

The Arizona legislature adopted House Bill 2012, which eliminates the requirement for the State Board of Massage Therapy to establish communication proficiency requirements for applicants applying for a massage therapy license.

Texas Adopts New Massage Therapy, Barber, Cosmetology Rules

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation adopted rules that affect massage therapy. The rules are necessary to align the dishonored payment processing fee with statutory requirements, add additional rules regarding complaints, and revise the processes and procedures for contested cases..

Blog

Join ABMP at the Premiere Orlando Show

ABMP at Premiere Orlando

ABMP is thrilled to partner with Ann and Lynn Teachworth of Trunamics to offer two CE courses in the massage therapy track at Premiere Orlando, June 3–5, 2023.

Veterans Report CST Can Help with PTSD Symptoms

CranioSacral Therapy and PTSD

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on treatment modality that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance.

Benefits

Podcast: Exploring Plantar Foot Pain

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren are joined by Whitney Lowe to discuss common causes of foot pain (including Morton’s Neuroma), muscle-tendon pathology, and some treatment options for each one.

Podcast: All Islands Meet Underwater

On this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Doug Nelson and Jennifer Crozier discuss why opening a massage therapy clinic is a viable career path and how community relations are the best marketing strategy.

Podcast: Knowing Expectations in the Work Environment

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Nate Nordstrom and Carrie Wiedemann from Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa join Kristin and Darren to discuss knowing your expectations in the work environment and how open communication during an interview can help set the tone during your tenure.

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