Unbreakable Resilience: Healing Our own Traumas!

 African and Black Women have demonstrated tremendous fortitude and perseverance in the face of Tragedy and trauma throughout their lives.

Today’s article celebrates and honors their bravery while also delving into the transformative power of healing their own wounds. It also aims to show the importance of self-care, community support, and self-compassion in the process of healing to rise above own past and welcome a brighter future.

How do we begin to achieve this as individuals and as a collective? 

By:

1.      Unveiling the Trauma: The first step toward healing is to acknowledge the pain and trauma. It is recognizing the horrors that may have left many of them damaged. This may involve them confronting historical and systemic injustices, personal experiences of racism and discrimination, and the impact of societal expectations that bring pressure, in order to be strong and resilient. By Doing so we create safe spaces where women and girls can begin to unpack their burdens and feel comfortable enough to express their emotions without judgement. We can facilitate this by:

ú  Providing community centers and youth groups who encompass trusted adults and peers who understand these unique challenges;

ú  Having culturally competent therapists who understand the cultural context and historical experiences that shape women and girls’ realities;

ú  Providing online forums and support groups that offer anonymity and connection with others who share similar experiences;

ú  Conducting creative expression workshops that allow women and girls to explore their emotions through art, music, or writing.

2.      Having Self-Compassion: embracing their vulnerability, accepting themselves with kindness and understanding, even when struggling is key to healing and self-empowerment. Self-compassion is a balm that soothes wounds and nurtures inner strength. This can involve:

ú  Practicing self-affirmations such as repeating positive statements that remind them of their worth and strength;

ú  Engaging in forgiveness by letting go of self-blame and resentment towards themselves and others;

ú  Celebrating their accomplishments by recognizing their achievements and progress, no matter how small;

ú  Learning to say no by prioritizing own needs and setting healthy boundaries.

3.      Embracing Self-Care: prioritizing self-care and investing in their mental health, women and girls can create a foundation for a more fulfilling and enjoyable life. This can involve:

ú  Regularly engaging in activities they enjoy such as spending time in nature, listening to music or dancing;

ú  Practicing mindfulness and meditation i.e. calming their mind and managing stress and anxiety;

ú  Getting enough sleep and eating right i.e. taking care of their physical health and eating nutritious foods, which is linked to their mental well-being;

ú  Seeking professional help if needed by connecting with therapists or counselors who specialize in working with Black and African Communities.

4.      Finding Empowerment through Creativity: Art as Therapy Art has a unique way of healing wounds and empowering the soul.  Through creative pursuits, women and girls can:

ú  Explore their emotions using art as a safe space to express feelings that may be difficult to put into words;

ú  Process own trauma by giving shape and form to past experiences to better gain understanding and release pent-up emotions;

ú  Celebrate their identities by expressing their cultural heritage and individuality through creative forms;

ú  Connect with others who share their stories and experiences through art and create a community of understanding.

5.      Having a Supportive Community: Support and Sisterhood Community support is an invaluable source of strength during the healing process and in overcoming adversity. This creates a network of support where they can:

ú  Hold space for each other’s healing and growth by listening deeply and offering encouragement;

ú  Share resources and knowledge about mental health, therapy options, and self-care practices that empower them to take control of their healing;

ú  Challenge harmful narratives and societal expectations by supporting each other’s unique identities and aspirations, and dismantling harmful stereotypes, and create a more inclusive world.

6.      Rewriting the Narrative: Having a positive outlook in life and embracing a positive identity often trumps negative self-talk and societal pressures that distort their self-image. To overcome this, they can:

ú  Reclaim their stories and experiences by taking ownership of their past and build a new identity based on their strength and unbreakable resilience;

ú  Connect with their cultural heritage by exploring their African and Black heritage to provide themselves with a sense of belonging, pride, and identity;

ú  Develop healthy coping mechanisms by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs, promoting self-care, and managing difficult emotions in order to build their self-esteem.

7.      Breaking the Silence: African and Black women and girls are often discouraged from talking about their experiences due to stigma and cultural expectations. To combat this they can:

Advocating for Mental Health Awareness Mental health awareness is essential for breaking the silence around trauma. In this section, we'll celebrate how African and Black girls use their voices to advocate for mental health, reducing stigma and fostering a culture of understanding and support

ú  Openly and honestly share their stories by speaking out about their struggles to help normalize conversations about mental health and reduce stigma;

ú  Educate others about trauma and its effects by sharing knowledge about the impact of trauma to help create a more understanding and compassionate society;

ú  Advocate for systemic change by amplifying their voices to demand access to culturally competent services and resources in their communities;

ú  Use social media platforms for awareness campaigns increasing their audience reach through online resources and spark important conversations.

African and Black girls' resilience is a testament to their self-compassion, self-care, and empowerment. They break the silence surrounding trauma by advocating for mental health awareness and fostering a culture of compassion and understanding. By rewriting their lives, they become beacons of inspiration for others.

We should celebrate and support these women and girls, empowering them to heal, rise above their past, and embrace a future filled with strength, courage, and boundless possibilities. Together, we can create a world where every African and Black girl knows her worth, embraces her power, and thrives with unyielding resilience.

References:

Burke, T. (2017, October 15). The Me Too movement is about power, not just sex. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/arts/tarana-burke-metoo-anniversary.html

Carter, R. T. (2007). Racism and psychological and emotional injury: Recognizing and addressing race-based traumatic stress. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0011000006292033

Comas-Díaz, L., & Griffith, D. R. (2017). Introduction to cultural competency in counseling and psychotherapy: Spirituality and religion. https://www.amazon.com/Integrating-Spirituality-Religion-Into-Counseling/dp/1556203101

Evans, N. J., Davis, M. L., & Smith, L. B. (2022). Bridging the academy and the community, one breath at a time: The healing power of Africana women's studies. In Persistence is resistance: Celebrating 50 years of gender, women & sexuality studies (pp. 253-271). University of Washington Press.

McGirt, E. (2023). Black Girl Joy: How to heal in a racially unjust world. Healthline. https://www.healingblackwomen.com/

Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. W. (2016). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (7th ed.). https://www.amazon.com/Counseling-Culturally-Diverse-Theory-Practice/dp/0470175141