In last week's article I wrote about what Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is and the common behavior patterns associated with it. This week I will be discussing 13 ways to heal.
Family
Establishing strong family values is an important part of the healing process. I have noticed that eating as a family is not as common as it used to be. Even more, parents are less attentive to their children and rely on technology to keep them occupied.DeGruy states,
"Establishing positive routines for the family helps to create a sense of stability; for example, having a daily check in before everyone leaves the house for school or work or before everyone goes to bed. Eating at least one meal together a a family without the television on or people on cell phones; watching an age appropriate movie and having a discussion afterwards; reading an article or book as a family; getting together with other families or friends seeking positive engagement" (DeGruy, 161).
2. Eat Healthy
Communities of color are affected the most by food deserts. Food deserts occur when there is an absence of fresh, nutritious food options in an area. These are most often seen in urban areas with low-income residents. Usually these communities are filled with fast-food restaurants and liquor stores. Because of this, it's important to return to buying and cooking healthy foods and even consider creating urban gardens to grow fresh foods.
3. Pay attention to Local Government
Local and state politics are often overshadowed by national politics; however, it's important that we pay attention to both. More importantly, we need to vote during local elections so we can take control of our living because local and state government affects our daily lives.
4. Know your Worth
Do not allow society to influence you to devalue your worth or think you are lower class because of your skin color.
5. Take Control of your Emotions
"Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it."Even though situations arise that trigger our anger, there are no benefits to being angry. We must keep our composure and have self-control.
6. Self-Care
Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally! Exercise and eat healthy to take care of yourself physically. Meditate regularly to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally. Take time to write your feelings in a journal or even color. We're never too old to color. Basically, do anything that helps you relax. Also, evaluate yourself at the end of each day or at the end of each week. Determine what you need to work on for yourself and strive to become the best version of yourself.
7. Don't Be a Mindless Consumer
Strive to make sound financial decisions.Do not become a materialistic person. No matter what name brands we wear, it will never change how society views us.Like Kanye said, "Even if you in a benz, you still a nigga in a coup."
8. Racial socialization
Racial socialization is the process of preparing black children how to survive in this world as a black person. Teach them what it means to be black in America so they can position themselves to survive in the future.
9. Be a Positive Role Model
Representation matters.It is difficult to believe you can attain your goals when you have never see anyone who looks like you that has attained goals like yours.For example, I used to be apprehensive about becoming a prosecutor because I had never seen anyone that looks like me attain this goal. However, I have been blessed to have been able to meet black criminal justice professionals who serve as real-life examples that my goals can be attained. Therefore, serve as real-life, positive examples for the next generation of black children to look up to and follow.
10. Share your Family History
"The more children knew about their family's history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem and the more successfully they believed their families functioned" (DeGruy, 181). If we know about ourselves and our family background, we feel more confident in who we are.
11. Faith, Spirituality, Religion, and God
You do not have to necessarily follow a specific religion, but it's good to have faith in something whether it is God or the universe. Having faith in something keeps you going, and it gives you something to look to during hard times.In my opinion, spirituality is the most important. We need to keep a healthy spirit. Meditate and surround yourself with positive energy because this will lead to a healthy spirit and allow you to be optimistic.
12. Come Together as a Community
Make efforts in black communities to improve them and create programs for black youth so they can stay education and grow up to become leaders.
13. Be a Leader and Support Other Black Leaders
We need black leaders in all aspects of life.Be a business leader to help other black Americans get to corporate America.Support black-owned businessesSupport black politicians. . .You get where I'm going. Just support each other.These are the 13 different ways we can heal from Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome.Take time to try some or all of these ways to heal so that you and future generations of black children can have better lives than our ancestors before us.