Celebrating Juneteenth While Dealing with Racial Trauma
While most Black folk are looking forward to celebrating “Juneteenth” on June 19, I’d like to use this time to draw attention to highlight a more serious issue; particularly mental health issues and the racial trauma experienced by many Black folks.
Why am I doing this? You might think, “Oh, you’re being such a buzzkill,” or “Let’s just celebrate the happy occasion,” – and I will! I’m actually stoked about Juneteenth – but I’d also like to talk about certain things that don’t always get the spotlight.
Yes, Juneteenth was truly a momentous win for us Black folk, but sadly, we’re still plagued by ethnic discrimination, racial bias, racism, and hate crimes up to this day; it’s a sad reality that many of us still face.
This is why I’d like to talk more about Juneteenth, as well as racial trauma – along with useful resources that provide support to Black and African American individuals. So, let’s dive in!
About Juneteenth
So, you know that Juneteenth is an important day for Black folk, but do you truly know what happened on that day? Here’s a snippet of a proclamation that was made on June 19:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” — General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865
It was a truly historical day – federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865, took control of the state, and guaranteed that all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation!
This day was truly monumental as it marked the end of slavery in the US….well, more like the slavery of the time, since we all know that prisons and the “justice” system took it’s place. But I digress.
Also, did you know that it’s considered the longest-running African American holiday? In 1979, Texas officially became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. Over the years, several other states followed suit. It officially became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Biden signed it into law.
Juneteenth is a significant event in American history and shows us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black folks – a battle that sadly continues to this day.
Dealing with Racial Trauma
There are so many ways you can observe and celebrate Juneteenth, from educating yourself to supporting Black businesses (like AnnodRight), to using your voice to spread the love. You can also take time to learn more about prominent Black figures in American history and share stories of Black folks you admire. Especially since wyt folk have spent so much time working to erase the history.
Personally, I’d like to take this time to draw attention to the fact that we are still facing an uphill battle to this day. While I can’t deny that there have been significant improvements, Black folks are still dealing with discrimination, racism, and hate crimes that result in more racial trauma.
What is racial trauma? Also known as Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS), racial trauma is defined by Mental Health America as “mental and emotional injury caused by encounters with racial bias and ethnic discrimination, racism, and hate crimes”.
While there have been many great strides in terms of acceptance, many Black folks still face discrimination to this day–especially the darker and more kinky hair’d you are.
Discrimination can be a very traumatic experience. It can cause similar symptoms to PTSD, as well as anxiety and depression. Exposure to discrimination, either indirectly or directly, can trigger racial trauma.
Symptoms. So, how do you know you’re experiencing racial trauma? Many people with racial trauma experience PTSD symptoms, especially after direct experiences of discrimination or hate crimes.
Symptoms may include:
Anxiety
Depression
Hypervigilance
Avoidance Behaviors
Loss of Appetite
Sleeping Problems
Nightmares or Flashbacks
Increased Substance Use
Coping with racial trauma. Now, how do you deal with racial trauma? You might be asking, “Is it even possible to recover from such hate that’s being directed at me?”
It may be difficult to imagine right now, but let me tell you: It IS possible. But, I do have to say that it won’t be easy; it’ll take a lot of time, effort, and patience, especially since it keeps coming at us, directly and indirectly, but you have to know that healing is possible.
So, how do you do it? First and foremost, self-care is key. Racial trauma can affect your physical, sexual, and mental health, so prioritize self-care, eat regularly, get enough rest, throw in some body movement, and prioritize pleasure..
Aside from self-care, here are some other ways you can cope with racial trauma:
Being seen and heard is crucial to healing. If you’re looking for someone to talk to – someone who you can engage in racially conscious conversations with and who can help you process your emotions and thoughts, I invite you to join “In My Black Feelings” sessions. Weekly meetings are starting and you can join by clicking here. As you join us, you’ll be able to meet other Black folks who’ll truly understand what you’re going through – you can share your story or simply listen to others. This is a safe place where you can just be.
Explore opportunities for activism. For some people, connecting with other Black folks in community – and engaging in different forms of activism – can be a very healing experience.
Engage in mindfulness, prayer, spiritual practices, and the use of positive mantras. There are some great ones on the Therapy For Black Girls website
Learn to recognize the symptoms of racial trauma (such as those mentioned above). Then, identify ways to cope with these symptoms. Keeping a list of 10 or more go-to coping skills on your phone is a great way to make sure you are never caught slippin’. More than anything it means that you won’t have to figure some out when you need it. You will just go to the list and try something
Seek professional help if you need it (some resources are available below). Contrary to what most people think, there’s no shame in seeking help!
Mental Health Resources for Black Folks
Did you know? Only half of Black adults with mental illness get treatment. Why is that? Honestly, this statistic makes me so sad, but I get it to a certain point. After all, I understand that several factors contribute to Black adults being hesitant to seek professional help.
For instance, the legacy of systemic racism in health care has generated mistrust among POCs; and just 2% of the estimated 41,000 psychiatrists in the U.S. are Black, and just 4% of psychologists are Black. Now, add in the cost of treatment – it’s easy to see why getting therapy can be difficult for Black folks.
Fortunately, in recent years, mental health organizations and advocates have made a serious effort to attract Black clientele (I focus on treating Black womxn in my practice!), ensuring that Black folks have access to the resources needed to prioritize their psychological well-being.
If you’re looking for some other helpful resources, here are some I encourage you to check out:
Aside from these mental health organizations, you can also set an appointment with the AnnodRight team for therapy OR if you need coaching, consulting, or training, Dr. Donna is the way to go with her focus on DEI in mental and sexual health.
Final Thoughts
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the US; however, it’s important to acknowledge that it was only the start of freedom. The wounds of historical, generational racial trauma run deep and many of us Black folk still experience a lot of hate, discrimination, and racism up to this day.
Understand that confronting trauma is never easy. You might even think that it’s impossible to heal from it. But, let me tell you: Healing IS possible. Be honest about how you’re feeling and don’t hesitate to seek help – these are great steps that you can take towards healing.
Juneteenth is an opportunity for Black folk and as a country to do just that. Some days may feel like we’re making progress; other days may feel like we’ve taken several steps back. That’s ok. The important thing is that we don’t give up – let’s keep fighting for the legacy of freedom that our ancestors began.
Join a community of Black Folks and enjoy a safe, weekly space where we can get the WORD from a therapist and have some space to be in our feelings. Sign up for In My Black Feelings here.
To schedule a 1:1 therapy session, consultation, or workshop, contact us.
Resources:
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/
https://www.mhanational.org/racial-trauma
https://www.insightintodiversity.com/addressing-the-lack-of-black-mental-health-professionals/