Lecture on Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome

Introduction

• Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS): An explanatory theory addressing multi-generational trauma associated with slavery and its aftermath.
• Common initial reaction: "It happened so long ago," but the trauma has continued across generations.
• Core Question: Did the trauma end with emancipation? The answer is no, leading to sustained trauma and its impacts.

Multi-Generational Trauma

• Examples: Natural disasters, wars affecting families over generations.
• Residual Impacts: Mental, emotional, and traumatic effects persist.

African-American Experience

• Starting Point: The African-American experience beginning with slavery as a long-lasting trauma.
• Behavioral Connections: Noticing survival behaviors in contemporary African-American life.
• Cultural Behaviors: Adaptive and survival behaviors that are ingrained culturally.

Example: Black and White Mothers

• A black mother downplays her son's achievements as a protective mechanism, rooted in historical context.
• 300 years ago: Denigration to protect children from being sold by slave owners.
• This behavior is an "appropriate adaptation" to hostile environments.
• Impact on Children: Black children may not understand the protective behavior and feel unvalued.

PTSD and PTSS

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Results from a single trauma and can be diagnosed just by hearing about trauma.
• PTSS is not PTSD because it becomes part of socialization, normalizing certain behaviors and beliefs.
• Historical trauma colors everyday life and what is perceived as normal.

Stress and Health

• Impact of Stress: Stress affects health, and being black in America adds unique stressors.
• Biological Impact: Stress compromises the immune system.

Addressing Multi-Generational Trauma

• Direct Impact: Work with directly impacted communities by providing information and having open conversations.
• Education: Larger society must be educated about these issues.
• Stopping the Assault: Requires social justice, change, and stopping systemic oppression.

Conclusion

• Healing is not just clinical; it involves social justice, fairness, equity, and safety.
• Both clinical issues (panic, anxiety) and systemic oppression need to be addressed together for effective change.