WYA

[DISCLAIMER]

When attending graduate school at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, regarding the School of Social Work (now “Steve Hicks School of Social Work”) between 2012 and 2014, the professor for my required Foundations of Social Justice class said something that stuck with me.

She expressed to the class something to the effect of, “If you don’t speak up in here, what makes you think you’ll speak up out there?” Thus, the professor issued a plea for students to use their voices in the interest of social change. That practice began in the classroom and moved toward society as a whole.

I used my voice when at UT and it almost cost me dearly. Compulsorily, I met with the Associate Director of Student Emergency Services, was placed on a Level I Review by the Assistant Dean for Field Education, and I was threatened with removal from the program by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Further, I was removed from my Social Work Practice and Field Instruction I class and was required to instead have one-on-one instruction with a Clinical Assistant Professor rather than enjoying the same treatment of my social work student peers—an experience for which my tuition paid.

It was an unpleasant two years for me, though I relied upon the tenets of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to keep from self-disturbing about it (too much). In specific, I relied upon the ABC model and Stoic philosophy principles interwoven into unconditional acceptance.

Remarkably, to my recollection, only one student in the entire program spoke up on my behalf. Like me, she was an outcast. She also self-disclosed a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. People spoke poorly of her when she wasn’t around, though I stood up for her as she did for me.

A year after I graduated, which was conditional to me no longer freely expressing myself at UT, rapper Future released his third studio album DS2 which contained the track “Where Ya At” (“WYA”) that featured rapper and vocalist Drake. The latter’s lyrics include the following:

Man, where your ass was at when we took the city over?

Where your ass was at when all they’d ask was, “What’s the hold up?”

Where your ass was at when niggas first got the news?

Now, your ass around ,because we’re paying back dues

Where were you when all the dogs needed help?

Lawyers and the commissary ain’t gon’ pay itself

The song serves as a critique of those who were purportedly aligned with a person, group, movement, or otherwise, though who didn’t actually support what they claimed or were expected to. Personally, I’ve experienced many such cases throughout life.

Nevertheless, rather than using unhelpful demandingness of my UT peers to disturb myself into a condition of aggression, I was instead helpfully distressed when experiencing frustration, annoyance, and disappointment (FAD) from what I believed about their cowardly behavior.

Tolerable FAD better served my interests and goals than did unhealthy anger, rage, hostility, aggression, or violence—which isn’t difficult to experience when disturbing oneself. Thus, I achieved a helpful outcome by reflecting upon my time at UT and asking, “Where ya at against oppression?”

Now, I use a similar perspective to achieve FAD when observing people who during the Biden administration seemed to have lost their voices when oppressive tactics were used, though who now are coming out of the proverbial woodwork during the Trump administration to speak out.

WYA when free speech, due process, unconstitutional searches and seizures, and other such infringements of civil liberties occurred? WYA when white men (in particular) were being openly discriminated against, as you now stand up for ethnically non-white immigrants?

Unlike those who are now ostensibly blinded by their own hypocrisy, I can see clearly when oppression exists. Just as what was advocated when I attended UT, I speak up. You don’t have to ask where my ass is at; because I’m right here denouncing injustice. (Read my blog for proof).

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

References:

Future. (2015, August 20). Future - Where Ya At (Official music video) ft. Drake [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/lw3Or6eqIpI?si=MC4YTimPHTE-oGa4

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JamesAlexanderII. (2018, March 11). Church lady looking around gif [Image]. Tenor. Retrieved from https://tenor.com/view/church-lady-looking-around-searching-for-something-gif-11330392

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