Black Boys Describe What it Means to Grow Up in America
There has been a lot of conversation, more so lately, about racism across the United States. Several high profile incidents have not only sparked new conversations about race, policing and institutional racism in the United States, but have also led to protesting and even rioting.
After a racially motivated hate crime in a church in South Carolina, the constituency gathered their voices to express concern over the Confederate Flag remaining on the state capitol building. The flag, seen as a symbol of separation and racism for Black Americans, was removed from the building after legislative action in July 2015. This was after a Black woman, Bree Newsome, independently removed the flag and was subsequently arrested. The removal of the flag has been met with a great deal of controversy, however, as some (mostly) White Americans have relished in the flag as a cornerstone to Southern history. However, the impact of its visibility cannot be understated, especially to Black descendants of the slaves who were traded and sold in the antebellum south.This incident as well as many others has prompted further discourse among and across racial groups, which desperately needs to continue. There must be consistent advocacy work to address and dismantle institutional racism whether it exists in our policing systems, housing systems, or economic and educational sectors. There is still a lot of work to be done.
Dismantling racial discrimination is particularly important to foster a greater sense of unity among all the nation's people but also because it has a particularly strong and insidious impact on Black Americans. These consequences are all encompassing and cover a wide range of issues for Black Americans such as:
Distorted self perception and internalized racism
Overrepresentation in the criminal system
Heightened vigilance and anxiety
Depression & psychological distress
Poorer living conditions
Less life satisfaction
Lack of access to needed resources
Limited socioeconomic mobility
A consistent pressure to be perceived as "good" or "non-threatening"
The NY Times published a video of young Black men talking about their experiences living in America which demonstrates some of the emotional consequences of growing up Black. Please see below.If you are feeling the effects of racial discrimination, please read my previous post 3 Powerful Ways to Cope with Racism. And if you're looking for some suggestions on how to be an effective ally in fighting racism, 11 Things White People Can Do to be Anti-Racist Allies via Alternet.org is a great resource.
3 Powerful Ways to Cope with Racism
Research has demonstrated that racism has a negative impact on the mental health of people of color leading to feelings of isolation, anger, depression and lower self-esteem. It goes without saying that this avoidable phenomenon needs to continue to be addressed on both the individual and societal levels.Discrimination in its many forms can be damaging to anyone and the more one experiences these prejudicial behaviors, the more difficult it can be to bounce back from its effects. While I want to be clear that those in power who create systems of racism and discrimination should be the ones dismantling them, I also want to offer some practical suggestions on coping with the effects of racism.With the election (and re-election) of President Obama and the 2013 killing of Trayvon Martin and more recently the killings of Eric Gardner and Mike Brown, the United States has experienced a resurgence of tense racial relations. At best, conversations have become increasingly difficult between groups while at worst, young men and women of color are losing their lives in racially charged incidents.Here are some basic suggestions that you, as a person of color, might use to help cope with the effects of racism:
Find solace where you feel the most comfortable
As the old saying goes, there is strength in numbers. Getting support from those who you know are sympathetic to your experiences can be extremely helpful in managing the anger and frustration of having experienced discrimination. You can reach out to friends, family members or other loved ones for consistent emotional support. You may also want to consider joining a local social or activism group (such as a local chapter of the NAACP) where you can receive support and participate in anti-racism efforts. Churches and religious institutions have historically been involved in anti-racism efforts so you may also find support and fellowship in those venues as well.
Use your voice
Experiencing discrimination in any form can be extremely isolating and racism can leave you feeling particularly marginalized given the belief by many Americans that racism no longer exists. In the moment, use your voice to call out racism whether it's when you're among friends, family members or colleagues. Take special care to evaluate the risks and benefits of confronting racism with some folks and strangers as your personal safety might also be at risk.
Join the movement
There are a significant portion of people in the United States, and in the world for that matter, that recognize that racism is still an everyday experience for many folks. Consider joining a local social justice group that addresses the impact of racism. Using your voice and personal experience to fight against bias can be a very empowering experience for you and you will also help prevent others from the feelings of isolation and humiliation that you may have experienced.It is an unfortunate reality that racism still exists and affects the lives of many people around the United States and the world. It has been noted that experiencing racism can lead to feelings of self-doubt, anger, frustration, humiliation and isolation.If you have experienced racism, the suggestions mentioned in this article might help manage those effects. If you still have difficulty with your experiences and feel that your difficulties warrant more individualized attention you may want to contact me directly or another local therapist for ongoing emotional support.