African Americans have been striving for fairness for years, even generations, and justice is way long overdue. As Black individuals, we bear racism in practically every single feature of our lives, from education, jobs, relationships, and housing. To the ultimate betrayal of the criminal system and, of course, healthcare. Racism is intensely entrenched in every surface of our lives and those who are minorities. Even as a Caribbean Canadian, this affects us as well.
While programs such as the Black Lives Matters movement remains in full stride, there’s one aspect of this historical movement we have sustained to oversee when it comes to mental health well, our mental health. Racism is also performing such an essential part in determining the difficulties of Black mental health. Still, there’s a shame. Well respected and beloved celebrities have spoken about their experiences such as Jennifer Lewis, first Lady Michelle Obama, and Actress Jada Pickett Smith. They’ve been outspoken for the efforts to push the conversation in normalizing the struggle of mental health in our community. Especially in this current climate of social injustice and unrest across this nation and even the world.
African Americans have experienced or even observed racial activities, incidents, microaggressions, even hate offenses and much more. Due to the discernment, they seem to be a relegated grouped that do face high levels of stress and anxiety. Racism can also explain co-opted racism and even self-hate, producing individuals to subconsciously or deliberately have undesirable opinions about their blackness and value. As we investigate more significantly into black mental health, racism also clarifies why we are unwilling to pursue mental health maintenance and disregard our mental health requirements.
We are fighting for revolutions internationally; we cannot allow overlooking our mental health.
Now is the season to place ourselves primarily and absorb how to challenge our discomfort and flourish. We can’t strike for this movement if we aren’t invigorated and taking care of ourselves. It will be unbearable for us to display as associates, campaigners, parents, or young siblings if we do not study how to bestow ourselves.
Educating ourselves on how to stay in touch with our feelings and our agony is a deed of self-protection.
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