The Culture Corner is a chance for us to focus on and highlight a specific piece of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work. It is a monthly publication from the DEI Department to facilitate difficult conversations surrounding racism, bias and discrimination with your teams.
“Race is a culturally structured systematic definition of a way of
looking at, perceiving and interpreting reality.”
– Professor Audrey Smedley
From Trauma to Healing
WEEK 1: Trauma to Healing
We hear a lot about trauma related to combat veterans, those who’ve been in significant accidents and those who’ve been the victim of violence. Racism is also trauma, and many Americans are subject to racism in both overt and covert ways every day, including the youngest among us. Racism is painful, violent, harmful and deeply felt by those on the receiving end. The lasting effects and trauma of experiencing racism can show up in emotions, behaviors and in many other ways.
Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy suggests that rather than asking, “What is wrong,” a trauma-informed approach would be to ask the question, “What happened to you?” Numerous studies show that racism and discrimination are forms of trauma, and the lasting psychological effects can be similar to those of veterans who have experienced combat. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is becoming more commonly diagnosed in marginalized communities as racism and discrimination continue to create psychological, emotional and physical harm. It is important to understand this trauma to be able to move forward.
Did you know ... ?
- 81 percent of Black people report experiencing discrimination. One in 10 developed symptoms of PTSD due to racism and discrimination. American Psychological Association
- 4 in 10 Latinos say they have experienced discrimination in the past year, such as being criticized for speaking Spanish or being told to go back to their home country. Pew Research Center
WEEK 2: Read "Healing the Hidden Wounds of Racial Trauma" (7 minutes)
WEEK 3: Read "The Link Between Racism and PTSD" (5 minutes)
WEEK 4: Read this list of 8 ways to practice self-care to support you and your loved ones when you are personally affected by racism. (4 minutes)
Questions for discussion:
- How does racial trauma impact individual and community health?
- In which ways can individuals protect their mental health after experiencing racial trauma?
If you are in need of additional support for Culture Corner, please contact the DEI Department by using the DEI Request Form.
Additional Resources