Racial Trauma, Intersectionality, and Acknowledging Privilege
/It’s June 2020. COVID-19 cases continue to spread. People are taking to the streets worldwide to protest police brutality in the United States, and the voices of the black community are louder than they’ve ever been, calling for an end to systemic racism once and for all. And let’s not forget, it’s pride month. How are you holding up?
It should come as no surprise that hope is at an all time low and anxiety is through the roof. But there are ways for us to stay stronger, stay hopeful, and stay sane during this tumultuous stage in history, and with a little guidance from a counselor or the ones closest to us, we can recenter our minds, refocus our attention, and regain the balance we seek in our lives. We don’t have to sacrifice our pride, strength, or voice to get our mental health back to where it needs to be. But we do need to take a step back, evaluate ourselves, and find a path forward that leads to positive change.
What is Racial Trauma?
Racial trauma is any traumatic stress that comes from the cumulative effects of racism. As a person of color, racial trauma may be affecting you in ways that disrupt your lifestyle, and it’s important that you know your feelings are valid. Experiences with racism have a profound effect on self-esteem, sense of safety, and trust in relationships. But individual therapy or couples counseling can help you find peace and refocus on your goals with renewed vigor.
The Hardship of Intersectionality
When someone is part of more than one marginalized group, such as the black or lgbtq+ community, they experience intersectionality. This is especially hard to cope with as our identity is often based not only in race but also in sexuality, religion, and even social groups. Addressing how these aspects of life affect one’s self-esteem and identity requires exploration of each aspect individually as well as how they relate to each other to create the unique person you are.
Acknowledging Privilege
If you’re not a person of color, it is impossible to know just what it feels like to experience racial trauma, but there are steps that can be taken to ensure racial trauma among friends and family is addressed and privilege is acknowledged. The heterosexual, cisgendered communities are beneficiary of such privilege, but this is privilege we are less likely to identify because it is not physically seen. Nevertheless, it exists, and we must acknowledge and work to understand the imbalance in our perceptions and treatment of others. Acknowledgement starts with holding a constant awareness of your privilege and educating yourself on what it looks like. It continues by propelling the voices of the marginalized and oppressed, and establishing equity in our communities and governmental systems.
Tips for Growth
June is Pride Month, and at the same time, something bigger is happening in the United States that requires all of our attention: the Black Lives Matter movement. Both are intended to bring awareness to the hardships, oppression, and marginalization that these communities have faced for centuries, and it’s up to everyone else to take a hard look at themselves and address how they might be contributing to the problem.
Here are a few specific tips to allow people of all backgrounds, races, genders, and sexualities to regain the balance they need in their lives.
Breathe and Seek Composure - There is a lot of confrontation going around, and whichever side you are on, it’s important to take a step back from heated interactions to find your composure, think about your motivations, and regroup with yourself to ensure you are moving forward in the most effective way possible.
Own Your Situation - Whether it’s trauma, privilege, or basic discrimination, taking ownership of your identity and your situation gives you the strength to overcome it. Know that other people are facing similar situations, and your feelings regarding them are valid. The key difference is that you are at the heart of your own situation, so let it be with you and strengthen you.
Turn to Friends and Family - Your support system is there to help you through your hardest times. They likely know you better than you think, and they can help overcome the racial trauma you may be facing. Friends and family may also be able to help you acknowledge whatever privilege you may have and give your perspective on your own words and actions. Be open-minded and receptive as often as possible, and use them to your advantage!
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