- Feb 9, 2001
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Often, we, at Destee.com, have conversations about Black people's behavior, thinking patterns, and relationships. Sometimes these conversations are presented in a way that are perceived to blame our relationship failures on each other--Black men and Black women. A lot of opinions are offered, agreements and disagreements stated. Most comments are based on the day-to-day observations or experiences by some with what might seem as simple, straight forward solutions presented, i.e., change the way you think, don't believe the hype and treat each other more respectfully and, dare I say, lovingly.
I and maybe some others think the problem is deeper and more complex and stems from a system of white supremacy that was started centuries before our time and that which has manifested itself in the form of deep psychological and emotional conditions still today.
Do Black people have an aversion to mental therapy? Do we believe that we can change who we have been taught to be without it? To get beyond the talk...the act of simply recognizing that we have problems, to action, I submit this article and ask, what do you think?
"On Feb. 1, 1960, four stools at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., sparked national media attention and led to hundreds of subsequent sit-ins across the country. The immediate and impactful influence that these four African-American students had on the non-violence movement during the civil rights era is frequently praised, particularly during Black History Month. However, the enormous personal stress that they likely experienced as they occupied those stools is less often considered. In honor of the four African-American students and African-Americans across the diaspora, the Ethnicity and Health in America Series is raising awareness about the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination as it relates to stress. The chronic condition of stress was selected because of its prevalence and impact on health within health disparity population groups (e.g., people of color), and their high association with many other chronic diseases.
Although the chronic condition of stress can have negative side effects on all persons, the unique psycho-social and contextual factors, specifically the common and pervasive exposure to racism and discrimination, creates an additional daily stressor for African-Americans. Often, African-Americans do not realize daily stressors that may affect their psychological or physiological health and so we have compiled a collection of articles and additional resources to understand the health effects that result from exposure and perception of racism and discrimination."
Read more
I and maybe some others think the problem is deeper and more complex and stems from a system of white supremacy that was started centuries before our time and that which has manifested itself in the form of deep psychological and emotional conditions still today.
Do Black people have an aversion to mental therapy? Do we believe that we can change who we have been taught to be without it? To get beyond the talk...the act of simply recognizing that we have problems, to action, I submit this article and ask, what do you think?
"On Feb. 1, 1960, four stools at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., sparked national media attention and led to hundreds of subsequent sit-ins across the country. The immediate and impactful influence that these four African-American students had on the non-violence movement during the civil rights era is frequently praised, particularly during Black History Month. However, the enormous personal stress that they likely experienced as they occupied those stools is less often considered. In honor of the four African-American students and African-Americans across the diaspora, the Ethnicity and Health in America Series is raising awareness about the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination as it relates to stress. The chronic condition of stress was selected because of its prevalence and impact on health within health disparity population groups (e.g., people of color), and their high association with many other chronic diseases.
Although the chronic condition of stress can have negative side effects on all persons, the unique psycho-social and contextual factors, specifically the common and pervasive exposure to racism and discrimination, creates an additional daily stressor for African-Americans. Often, African-Americans do not realize daily stressors that may affect their psychological or physiological health and so we have compiled a collection of articles and additional resources to understand the health effects that result from exposure and perception of racism and discrimination."
Read more