The Emotional Tax of Racial Trauma
By Yolanda Jackson
While the whole world manages health concerns related to the pandemic, African Americans and Asian Americans have the extra burden of trauma due to racialized violence. After the March 19th shooting in an Atlanta spa and six Asian women dead, people were again reminded of the evil that was always present. How do we deal in society that continues to harm People of Color? How do we manage in a society that requires a mass shooting or knee on a neck to see the horror and effects of white supremacy?
Asian Americans have been under attack since the pandemic. According to NBC news, there were 3,800 racial incidents reported by Asian Americans over the past year. Over 500 during the first three months of 2021. Now, Black Lives Matter and other Black organizations are publicly standing in solidarity with Asians and Asian Americans against Asian Hate crimes. Black people are once again, standing in solidarity even when our own mental health is at risk.
African Americans Live with Racialized Trauma
Because African Americans have suffered multiple traumas due to discrimination, hate crimes, and police brutality, seeing Asians and American Asians publicly attacked causes Black communities to share the stress of their racialized trauma.
As racialized violence continues to plague the African American community, it is impossible to avoid being triggered by hate crimes committed against other groups. It is also common to experience a range of emotions in response. According to the American Psychological Association, a 2019 study stated, “Similar to post traumatic stress disorder, racial trauma is unique in that it involves ongoing individual and collective injury due to exposure and re-exposure to race-based stress.”
So how do we show up for Asian and Asian Americans?
African Americans have not always felt supported by Asian Americans which has led to feelings of resentment and isolation. Yet, witnessing violence against Asian Americans has triggered their own racial trauma.
When stressed, it may be difficult to show up for another group when still seeking solace and support for your own community. It may also be difficult to find the tools to assist in the unification against all other racial violence when you have not attended to the impact of past, present and collective traumas. But, as Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” So, as we do the work to heal our communities, we must work to support one another.
We Must Heal Our Communities of Color
Communities of Color need mental health support. Without the tools to process racialized trauma, it is easy to fall into depression. It is also easy to forget that all communities of color are victims of white supremacy. Being aware of your mental, emotional, and relational needs will allow you to identify the types of support you need during these difficult times.
In these times, you must address your mental, emotional, and relational needs.
Mental needs:
A space for you to process your thoughts and to breathe
Name and acknowledge the impact of white supremacy
Acknowledge that racism and racial trauma are real
Be aware of the effects of racial trauma on your body, mind and spirit
Emotional needs:
Allow yourself to be and for your emotions to flow
Let yourself know that it’s okay to cry, be enrage, frustrated, numb, exhausted, etc., because of the white supremacy and its deadly impact on your life and the lives of communities of Color
Move your emotions by speaking, writing, drawing, walking, dancing, cooking, exercising
Validate your fears, anxieties, grief and painful experiences with racism and racial trauma
Relational needs:
Support from the people and communities who see, love you and affirm your worth
Connect with your families and friends
Connect with the resilience of those ancestors and elders who came back you to affirm your dignity and humanity, in the face of white terror and supremacy
Connect with communities who are authentically working to dismantle white supremacy and its racialized trauma on us all
In addition to all these needs, seeking out professional health for your mental, emotional and relational well-being is always important. Particularly, finding a culturally affirming therapist to discuss and process racial trauma is essential. At Ibisanmi Relational Health, we’re available to help you journey the pain and the grief from racialized trauma. You can book your 15-minute consultation here.
And be sure to follow us on IG at @ibisanmi for mental health check ins and inspirations.
