Racism Affects Your Mental Health
From COVID-19 to police brutality, the last few months have hit HARD. Let’s clarify, racism has been in full effect as long as the yet to be United States has existed. It is also worth noting that the struggle has somehow felt harder.
While trying to stay safe and practice social distancing, it was not expected to have to deal with people like Amy Cooper and Ex-Officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. Watching him kneel carelessly on George Floyd’s neck while George cried out “I can't breathe” is one image I will never forget. “I can’t breathe” also triggered the heartbreaking reminder of Eric Garner’s similar experience of murder by police. I, like many, feel the rage and constant ache of vicarious racism and vicarious trauma. I feel angry, sad and terrified for my Black son. He is young now and receives many smiles and waves from women who resemble Amy Cooper, but when will he change from cute to a threat?
This painful experience is why we are still screaming Black Lives Matter. Racism is embedded in inadequate housing, disproportionate healthcare, unequal education, poverty and injustice. As a result of the constant and careless looting and modern day lynching of Black bodies, here we are angry fighting coronavirus while protesting. You have every right to be angry. Moshe Ratson, MBA, MS, LMFT eloquently states, “anger energizes us and serves as a positive force to motivate us to stand up for ourselves and creatively find solutions to the challenges we face ''. All over the world people are standing in solidarity with the Black community, this is the significance of “rage that can power movements of justice” (Brittany Cooper, author of Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower). This comes after the last few months that America has shown it’s true colors of systematic racism, capitalism and oppression by billion dollar bailouts to large corporations and $1200 checks for the rest to juggle paying rent or buying groceries.
These are choices no one should have to make, ever. This is time to use your anger to mobilize, stand together, and uplift one another. I also urge you to take care of yourself during this extremely difficult time. Racism affects your mental health. Watching videos of our people brutally attacked and murdered affects our minds and bodies. You may be feeling depressed, numb, tense, anxious, angry, and enraged. The trauma connected to each of these feelings lives within your body. Taking care of yourself may look like exercising, talking to a loved one, crying, praying, journaling, meditating or finding a therapist who understands this struggle. These are all options that allow you to release the energy from the emotions you carry while experiencing the mental and physical impact of racism, injustice and inequality.
Your life matters.
