Module 5

Discussion

Do you think PTSS is a theory that we should still be using in 2020

and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black

racism? Why or why not?

@Oct 7, 2020 3:28 AM

"you're probably imagining it", "its just a joke, I'm not racist" , "stop being so sensitive" These are some of the many phrases of which Black people have been told and in which many have internalised over a prolonged time. This is one of the vacant esteems in which Dr Joy Degruy has identified along with "marked propensity for anger and violence,” and “racist socialisation". Thus, I would like to state that PTSS is a theory in which is still relevant in our current society.

I would start off with saying that once you are hurt, you will always be hurt. What I mean by this statement is that even with centuries of historical racial prejudice and oppression built around colonialism, many Black groups are met again with different forms of racism whether its the formation of the Ku Klux Klan in 1860, the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Rosa Parks in 1955, killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012 to even George Floyd's death from police brutality in 2020. When many thought that it's over, it's not. Trauma and violence has indefinitely taunted Black people and even in 2020, it's still circling around them.

PTSS is still prevalent among many Black communities across the world and many are so tired of the fighting and violence. While Dr.Degruy states violence as a vacant esteem, Black people did try to be peaceful. When the BLM movement assembled peacefully, no one listened. While violence in protests should not be justifiable by any means, "violence" against property is not comparable to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and the numerous Black individuals. Why are you more concerned with the nature of the protest instead of the fact that an African-American man has died again in the hands of the police?

While I can't say fully what it feels like to be burden like my fellow Black peers, as a South-Asian, I recognise my privilege and I see the injustice, fear and discrimination among the Black community. While I may face oppression within my own culture, I understand that the racism we face aren't the same. Thus, PTSS is a very real thing faced and instead of saying that "it is their culture" we must use our EYE to engage outside of an Euro-Centric way and take action. Educate, donate, sign petitions, it's only a matter of choice. Don't see this as a white American's problem, racism is a global structure.

@October 22 at 2:19 PM

Hey ___! You wrote an amazing post, as always :) I liked how you used both historical and recent instances of anti-Black racism to support your point because these examples illustrate that these issues are prevalent, ongoing and intergenerational. I agree with you, I believe that PTSS is a valuable and insightful theory to describe how historical instances of discrimination, oppression and racism continue to marginalize many Black communities today; despite their constant protest, outrage and push for systematic change

Side note: I also really love how passionate and educated you are about this issue, it's truly inspiring!

Cindy

@October 23 at 3:01 AM

Hey ___,

Thank you for reading my discussion essay haha, it really means a lot that someone took the time to understand my work. I'm glad that we were able to agree on different points of PTSS and this shows how even with a discussion like this, we can create a conversation. I think what many of us should learn to grasp further is that racism is not a moment but a continuous movement that never ends.

Thank you again for reading my response!!

@October 23 at 11:04 PM

Hey ___, one again I believe you were spot on with your response this week!. I completely agree on the idea that "..once you are hurt, you will always be hurt. " Many people like to gaslight any feelings of anger/ frustration that Black people express when it comes to discussing instances of PTSS, it's true that just because I wasn't directly a slave on the cotton filed doesn't mean im not affected by the repercussions of anti-Black racism and how it affects my place in society. I would like to thank you for shedding light and advocating against this mentality, Black women are too often labelled as angry when they express feelings towards the intergeneration effects of anti-Black Racism, it's time to end the cycle.

@Oct 9, 2020 10:53 PM

I think the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism can be looked at through the theory of PTSS and depending on a situation, the theory can still be used. The consequence of years of multigenerational oppression of Black people as a result of slavery evidently effects future generations, regardless of how long ago their ancestors were enslaved. As Dr. Joy DeGruy states, the normalizing of this PTSD is bound to go from generation to generation, as children learn the PTSD symptoms that their parents learned. The cycle continues due to the lack of treatment for Black people, and the generational effect continues. However, I believe there is more to the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism than Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, as there are current effects today that take a toll on Black people. The intensifying police killings on the Black community, the constant discrimination and prejudice, and numerous other factors that continue to perpetuate racism, all add to the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. While slavery was the foundation of this cultural trauma, and continues to have negative impacts on the following generations, there is more in society today that contributes to this problem. As the critical race theory shows, racism is "integral to social practices and institutions", meaning anti-black racism is ever prominent in many social aspects, as white supremacy continues to reign. This highlights and demonstrates the multifarious factors that help us understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism, including PTSS.

@October 13 at 3:49 PM

Hey ___, I agree. Anti-Black racism didn't stop in our history books. There are even more issues that are ever present today, and these issues continue to negatively affect future generations. Though, rather than purely focusing on the lack of treatment for Black people, I believe that the need to confront anti-Black racism in our society is more important than anything, otherwise this cycle of anti-Black racism will continue, as well as its negative generational effects. Whether there is treatment or not, if there is no challenging anti-Black racism from society, there is no use.

@Oct 10, 2020 11:32 AM

Dr. Joy Degruy's clip was a paradigm shift for me. I think it offers a very healthy look at the issue because it acknowledges where the problem is stemming from, and that is the first step in solving it.

It makes complete sense that someone who has endured the horrors of enslavement would be deeply affected by it psychologically. It directly damages the person's self-image and worth and results in hopelessness, feelings of guilt, sleep disturbance, and anger outbursts, which are major symptoms of depression. I think PTSS is real, and I think that it is still affecting Black communities. I also think that the demographics that we are ought to focus on are children and teenagers.

I think this theory would explain the effects of anti-black racism that have been there for a long time. Just like Dr. Degruy said, there must be some residual left from those experiences.

@October 20 at 1:00 PM

I agree that focusing on children and teens is important. Present day racism can affect their health and well-being and contribute to further challenges. I think doing things like changing beliefs and biases, speaking up, stopping institutional racism, or making sure there are programs in place to help those that are poor and bring them out of poverty can help change things for the better.

@Oct 13, 2020 3:27 PM

Dr Joy Degruy said, “Hundreds of years of trauma, no treatment. Freed, more trauma, no treatment.” She argues that if others in your environment are broken and traumatized, then you’re going to be learning from those broken people and thus, normalizing that “broken behaviour”. I also have to say, when hearing of these symptoms of PTSS (e.g. outburst of anger and hyper vigilance), I thought, this doesn’t seem right.

When going beyond Dr Joy Degruy, Dr Kendi’s article is a read that provides another perspective that disagrees with this theory. If you want to check it out, it is called “Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a Racist Idea” https://www.aaihs.org/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome-is-a-racist-idea/

Dr Kendi stresses that Black people don’t need to be healed from racist trauma. What they need is the freedom from this trauma. And that’s something our societies have yet to work on and continue to confront and advocate for. He states, “Black people must realize that the only thing wrong with Black people is that we think something is wrong with Black people. Black Americans’ history of oppression has made Black opportunities—not Black behaviors—inferior.” This is something I thought about. What exactly is the point here about the behaviours of Black people? It sounds like Black people have these “behaviours” that ultimately need treatment and healing. Like Dr Kendi says, I think this idea is in fact, racist.

I can see how this theory emphasizes just how unacceptable and inhumane anti-Black racism is, and the effects will most certainly be negative throughout generations. Though, when reflecting on Dr Kendi’s points, I believe this theory inherently has flaws that bring down Black people. I do not think this theory should be used to understand intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism.

@October 14 at 6:35 PM

I really enjoyed reading/watching Dr Joy Degruy's work when researching for this discussion. Her words and views helped me understand from a new perspective what PTSS is and its effects are. So I think it's great you are sharing her article as I think it's definitely something everyone should check out.

You made a really good point using Dr Kendi's theories to support how you believe PTSS is flawed and brings down Black people. It made me reevaluate my thinking because I actually didn't think about how this theory does have its pitfalls.

@October 17 at 4:52 PM

Hi ___, thanks for reading through my thread. I'm happy I was able to find Dr Kendi's stance of PTSS and got to share a different perspective. Have a good day!

@October 15 at 12:36 AM

Hey ___! I liked how you tied in the connection of PTSS to Dr Kendi's stance and say how as quoted "Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a Racist Idea". It made me think to myself and see from a different perspective. I didn't think about how this theory does have its flaws and how it brings a sort of shame down on Black people. While I do see how PTSS is a good representation of the effects of racial trauma on Black people, Dr Kendi's point on saying that Black people shouldn't condemn themselves just because they are black is a valid stance as well.

@October 17 at 4:51 PM

Hey ___, yes, I can also see how PTSS has valid ideas. Thanks for reading and responding to my thread!

@October 17 at 4:05 PM

Hi ___!

I thought your analysis and inclusion of Dr. Kendi's views and quote was very insightful. I think there is truth in the necessity of both healing and freedom from trauma, because my interpretation of "healing" was uplifting and providing positive reinforcement, in response to the negative feelings and beliefs that are cultivated by society. I think to have one without the other could potentially be damaging, but this is based on my rather limited knowledge. Either way, your post provided a valuable perspective that I didn't consider.

@October 17 at 4:49 PM

Hi ___, I completely agree. There is always a different perspective to consider, and I'm glad I got to share Dr Kendi's. Thanks for the kind words!

@October 20 at 2:13 PM

This has led me to view this topic from a new perspective!

You cannot control trauma responses. An individual is not "broken" while experiencing post-traumatic stress. If someone were to try to convince me so in the context of personal mental health, I would have adamantly denied it. I realize now that there's a heavy weight to the concept of PTSS.

Dr. Kendi's points are well founded. I didn't even consider the implications of what fixing "trauma" meant. In the end, it is a means of reconditioning Black people to act in the "right" way: the white way.

Thank you for this wonderful response!

@October 22 at 8:03 PM

Hi ___!

I actually really enjoyed your perspective on Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome and how it truly portrays Black individuals. It was very interesting to consider the downfalls PTSS can actually have. While this theory might act as a "justification" for younger generations' traumas being "passed down" to them, it also does present Black behaviours (affected by past traumatic experiences) as negative or unacceptable.

Your post made me consider this theory from a totally different perspective. Amazing post!

@Oct 14, 2020 6:14 PM

PTSS is a theory/term that I believe should continue to be used in 2020 and onwards. There isn’t a better term to describe this type of trauma, as it is specific to the racism that has been experienced by Black people since slavery.

PTSD is brought on by witnessing/experiencing a terrifying event and can be healed and treated with time, specialized PTSD treatment, and good self-care. But PTSS is a completely different ball park. This is multi-generational trauma that never got the time and attention to be healed, instead it’s trauma is internalized because it never stopped. We’re talking about generations, hundreds and hundreds of years of trauma that never got healed and is only being catalyzed by more racial inequities.

For example, If I were to tell you, that someone had wants to have there wedding at Auschwitz concentration camp, where millions of jews were murdered, you would say that’s wrong and disrespectful. But how is this any different than plantation weddings? This is a norm, it is NORMAL for white people to have their wedding, “the happiest day of their lives” on a plantation where Black slaves were worked until death, beaten, raped, starved, forced to 'breed,' and lynched. But yet Black people are socialized to accept it, that this should should be ‘acceptable’ to them. This example is one of many reasons why PTSS exists, because it’s injustices that started from slavery and continue to be socialized and accepted as a 'norm.'

I was watching a video about PTSS by Dr Joy Degruy where she broke down how the behaviours of Black mothers are influenced by PTSS and will often appear more ‘hostile’ or ‘harder’ on their children than white parents. For example, in a situation where a Black mother and white mother will have a high achieving child, the white mother will often praise and speak highly of their child. Whereas the Black mother will always have a ‘but’ statement. Ex. “Trey is getting straight A’s in all his classes, and is the captain of the basketball team, but he’s such a handful, and that stubborn attitude of his.” This type of behaviour is the result of “appropriate adaptation” which occurs in hostile environments. If you were to look back 300 years and a Black mother was approached by a white slave owner, and the white slave owner says, “wow that boy is really coming along” the Black mother will say “no, he’s not, he’s stupid, and stubborn, and he doesn’t listen.” Why would she say that? Because she doesn’t want the white slave owner to sell her child. This pattern of behaviour carries on throughout generations, because by the time ‘Trey’ realizes why his mother said those things, he would’ve already been hurt by it. Thus, the cycle will continue, and 'Trey's' future children will be subject to the same trauma, thus creating an unending cycle.

The reason I believe that PTSS should continue being used is because other terms such as transgenerational trauma, PTSD, or generational trauma simply aren’t specific enough, because they aren't specific to the trauma Black people faced/are facing. There’s a history and pattern that is embedded within this trauma, and that broader terms/theories simply don’t suffice the way that PTSS does.

@October 20 at 11:03 AM

Hi ___,

I absolutely loved your post. You have such incredible examples to help each of us understand more in-depth what Dr. Joy Degruy was trying to explain when it came to the differences between parenting. Relating this back to PTSS and how parenting has continued to operate from a place of fear was incredibly eye opening.

I also agree that there is history embedded within trauma experienced or classified as PTSS and that any other term or theory simply would not be specific enough to capture all that has occurred throughout history of enslavement and beyond.

@Oct 14, 2020 10:01 PM

I believe this theory is a staple and provides strong evidence on the long-lasting effects racism has on the Black community. Using this theory will provide insight to individuals, groups, and organizations about the multi-generational trauma experienced by Black people due to the years of mistreatment and oppression. These traumatic effects create certain behaviors and ideas (for example avoiding certain places, people, or activities and feeling “numb” to certain events that are similar to what caused the trauma) of those affected, and using a theory like PTSS breaks down the mental health the certain behaviors that were passed down through generations and are even transmitted into their environments. The main importance of continuing the use of this theory is with the right information gathered, it can help those break out of the cycle of intergenerational trauma.

@October 19 at 5:58 PM

I find it interesting that you said that the importance of continuing this theory is to help break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and that is a very powerful statement. That caught my eye and is something that should be in bold writing all over the news channels. That line made me truly analyse the extent to which this trauma could pass on. It's a serious issue because no mother wants to give her child the same pain that she faced all throughout her life. And the worst part is that the mother would not even be able to identify that she is suffering from PTSS.

@Oct 17, 2020 3:34 PM

I think that the theory of PTSS should still be used and talked about in 2020 because it has not been addressed or taught nearly enough. I personally only just learned what PTSS is and what it means, however it makes a lot of sense and it confused me how I’ve never heard of it before. I think PTSS is a very real issue that is ignored and pushed aside. Dr Joy Degruy said, often the behaviours of generations and generations of black people was pushed aside as being “a part of their culture,” when realistically culture and the result of trauma are two very separate things.

Not only has the theory of PTSS not been spoken about enough but all things considered it’s a realistic assumption to say the effects of PTSS are still well and alive for a few reasons. One reason being that slavery was not something of millions or even thousands of years ago, slavery in Canada ended in 1833, thats less than 2 thousand years ago (Brown, 2019). It is not something of the dinosaur ages but something of close ancestry. We are out of it but the effects of slavery still linger in our world today and we can see that plain and clear.

The other reason being that untreated trauma is lasting trauma, always. It has been proven that behaviours stemming from trauma cannot go away on their own. This means that in one way or another the trauma of slavery has been and will continue to be passed down if not treated. However what that kind of treatment would look like I’m not sure, how do you treat thousands of years of trauma in the generational effects of the present?

In conclusion I think that the theory of PTSS needs to be a relevant and discussed topic in 2020 to bring awareness to the fact that people are struggling and it’s being categorized as normal and a part of Black culture, which it shouldn’t be. It makes me wonder if there are currently any resources dedicated to PTSS and its effects, if maybe there are structures in place that just aren’t very well known. Maybe there are and I’m just not aware of them. Do you think there’s anything specific that could be put in place to help treat PTSS?

@October 19 at 3:49 PM

Hey ___,

I agree with all the points you've made. I especially liked how you pointed out that slavery was not something that happened millions of years ago, even segregation only ended in 1964. These events can cause long-lasting trauma on the families affected which can be passed down to the next generation and the generation after that.

I also agree with how you said that untreated trauma is lasting trauma. Since this trauma only affects a certain group of people, it should have its own sub-category of therapy like PTSS to deal with and understand the unique intergenerational trauma faced to this day.

@October 20 at 3:27 PM

Hello ___!

Prior to this week, I had also never had the opportunity to learn about PTSS. I completely agree that the most important distinction to be made is between actions stemming from culture and those resulting from trauma.

Your post additionally challenged me to think about PTSS in new ways. When we say PTSS is intergenerational trauma, it really has not been many generations. This close link in time, I believe only further defends the position that PTSS is the root of ongoing trauma. I appreciated your comment that "untreated trauma is lasting trauma" and see this as very insightful when recognizing behaviours stemming from trauma.

I also emphasize that PTSS needs to be recognized as relevant, and in response to your question, I believe this is the first step in the road to recovery. The causes and effects of PTSS must become universally known in order to de-normalize behaviour and distinguish between culture and trauma. I wish I was able to answer with specific strategies, however, I feel as if we must focus on responding to those in need and listen before we act.

@Oct 17, 2020 3:48 PM

I think Dr. DeGruy's theory is extremely relevant now and will continue to be in the future. Vacant esteem and racial socialization are perpetuated by society and the expectations held for Black people serve to intensify those feelings. For example, Ontario's academic streaming for grade nines. It was proven to be disproportionally affecting Black students who were often placed into applied streaming, affecting graduation rates and university acceptances. Before this came out, I would assume it was not hard to not notice the racial disparities. To be underrepresented in doing well and overrepresented in doing poorly because of systemic racism and stereotypes is incredibly harmful. I cannot imagine how upsetting it must be to be expected to fail and further shamed when you do, but to be ignored if you succeed and have your success attributed to affirmative action or external factors, rather than your hard work. Having people question your merit can plant lingering seeds of doubt in your mind, contributing to imposter syndrome which is high among minorities in professional and academic settings.

I think there is truth in that the effects of grievous maltreatment and discrimination shape someone, and subsequently shape the following related generations. Trauma is incredibly powerful, and often something people cannot forget. Even if it unconscious, feelings like fear, anger, resentment, sorrow and hopelessness will manifest themselves, and are easily absorbed by others, especially if there is a connection. I feel it would be negligent to ever start discounting slavery from understanding the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism, because while the same experiences cannot be passed on, the trauma and feelings can.

@October 20 at 1:54 PM

"Trauma is incredibly powerful, and often something people cannot forget" Very true!

When addressing the adversities that the Black community faces today, I believe it's quite important to understand the root of the issues, and where most anti-Black sentiment stems from. Understanding and addressing the history of anti-Blackness and the lasting impact on Black people offers insight as to why things exist the way they do in the present. Doing so will allow liberation to begin.

I also like your point about imposter syndrome! The successes of Black people are often invalidated. It would no doubt plant seeds of doubt into one's mind about their own achievements.

@October 20 at 7:26 PM

Hey ___!

I agree -there is value in unpacking and dissecting the root of discrimination, especially so we can see where that discrimination is still present i.e. systemic racism.

Thanks! Imposter syndrome affects so many minority students, and should really be cause for preventive measures in universities.

@October 21 at 8:10 PM

Hi ___!

I agree that Ontario's academic streaming process in secondary schools has further contributed to the trauma which the Black community faces here. As well, the fact that Black youth are expected to fail and yet when they do, they are still shamed, is so confusing and can cause mental health issues such as imposter syndrome. I agree with your statement that that maltreatment and discrimination will lead to trauma and shape generations as it is a powerful experience. Further, I also think it would be ignorant to exclude slavery from the conversation of intergenerational trauma as offspring learn from the environment around them, so it is impossible for them to not inherit their parent's trauma if it is still prominent.

@Oct 19, 2020 9:59 AM

PTSS is a theory that we should be still using in 2020 and beyond. This theory makes the understanding of intergenerational trauma experienced by Black communities easier, as it compares the experiences and the effects to a more commonly recognized form of trauma; PTSD. But is also puts emphasis on how radical social change is requires to treat PTSS, and how it is not simple treatable by commonly used therapies and clinical treatments.

@October 19 at 8:53 PM

Hey ___, I agree with how you mention that it is not simply treatable. PTSS has been around for years and is not acknowledged enough and this resides in Black households as they live in fear of what may happen to them. With the lack of awareness, it is emotionally and physically hard for Black communities to not be scared and fearful of the situations that have happened and can still happen. How do you think people can raise awareness for PTSS (Donating to health facilities, media, etc)?

@Oct 19, 2020 4:28 PM

I strongly believe that Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a theory that should still be used in 2020 and in years to come. This is due to the fact that having an understanding of the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism is still important to have now and in the future. Generations to come still need to be aware that the African American population was never given the help or intervention they needed in order to heal from the slavery and anti-Black racsim they went through. The effects of this are still happening today through learned behaviour from generation to generation. As are the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as Dr. Joy said are a feeling of a foreshortened future, exaggerated startle response, outbursts of anger. These behaviours can become normalized within the family and passed on to the kids, and those kids can also go through further trauma due to anti-Black racism in their lifetime. Due to this being passed on people have assumed this behaviour is a part of their “culture”, which is false. The fact that anti-Black racism is still occuring today makes it even more important that this theory should be used in 2020 and beyond.

@October 19 at 5:41 PM

I could not agree with you more. I also mentioned how these signs and elements are so normalized within the community which is so wrong because these are serious emotional and mental issues that need to be addressed by a health care professional. When I was reading your response, I also thought to myself, if I ever felt paranoid about my surroundings or felt the fear of a foreshortened future, I would seriously consider talking to someone (like a therapist) because it is not something that is normal within my community. And this just shows the difference that generations of oppression make. To add onto your post, I would also like to say that PTSS is something that I only heard about today and it is alarming that this is the case. And I am sure for many of us it was our first time. A serious issue like this should not be taken lightly and that is why this theory needs to continue in 2020 and years to come.

@October 20 at 10:38 AM

Thank you for the response!

I also only heard about PTSS when I started this module. I feel that this is another way that are education systems in younger grades has failed us. The fact that many things we are taught in this class is the first I am learning about it is very sad. In my opinion I feel it should be common knowledge and well understood by all, but that is not the case. What do you think?

@October 23 at 11:13 PM

Hey ___, I complete agree with your response!. When you stated how "...Generations to come still need to be aware that the African American population was never given the help or intervention they needed in order to heal from the slavery and anti-Black racism they went through..." I believe you hit on a very important reality that Black people face, it's not as simple as to just 'get over it' The parameters placed on Black people and their racial equity/success are too binding to allow Black people to dismiss its effects. PTSS is all too real in modern society and unfortunately still prevalent today.

@Oct 19, 2020 5:31 PM

Absolutely. I 100% believe that PTSS is a theory that we should still be using in 2020. Firstly, the trauma experienced from centuries of slavery decades ago is something that is very obscure to all societies, in the sense that it is never spoken about. The societal oppression of the Black community is still very relevant and prevalent in all societies across the world. The trauma from slavery has been carried from generation to generation in the African American community. PTSS comes into light especially nowadays when innocent lives are taken away from police are filmed for everyone to see. This embeds fear in many Black people because they are aware that it could be them or someone they know next. Due to this Black Americans may tend to avoid certain areas, feel paranoid about their surroundings and general feelings of hopelessness - adding onto Dr Joy stating the fear of shortened life as another sign. These are all elements and symptoms of PTSS and I think this should be spoken about more since people who are effects by this are able to get the help they don’t know they need. It is also very unfortunate that the symptoms mentioned above have been so normalized in the African American community.

@October 20 at 12:52 PM

I agree with your response and it is true that you see some of the effects of trauma within different generations.And these effects can be major, or even minor.

For example, whenever I am driving with my parents and there is a police car near us, we suddenly start feeling a bit anxious even though we've done nothing wrong. If one has done nothing wrong, there is no need to feel anxious. But because many police officers have been abusive of their power towards Black people for generations, it can affect something as simple as going out for a drive.

@October 20 at 12:59 PM

I completely agree with your post. I like what you said about police brutality, as such can definitely add to the trauma experienced by many in the Black community.

For example, at some point my parents were so fearful of police brutality that they no longer allowed me to put a hood over my head at night to avoid looking "suspicious", regardless of how cold it was or whether it was snowing or raining.

These types of things are not spoken about often enough, which is why this theory is important and should be taught and applied more today.

@Oct 19, 2020 8:41 PM

PTSS theory is something that should be mentioned and talked upon as it is not addressed enough. The trauma that African Americans endure still goes on from when slavery ended to now. It is important to be empathetic if you yourself are not Black because the situations that Black communities have faced is illegitimate and fearful. The past and present situations of slander towards Black people is rarely spoken about and only minimally acknowledged if it is to benefit others like politicians. Black people and their communities face societal oppression and tyranny everyday and it needs to be changed. PTSS has not been addressed and this will move on to further generations, with media's showcasing the cruel past and present, it is fearful to Black people. The lack of awareness and considering that others think it is apart of the culture is completely wrong. Dr. Joy DeGruy talks about the absence of opportunity in Black communities. I think this is important to address as due to the lack of acknowledgment of Black people it is hard to access and heal to society when you are not given the chance like others. Overall, there needs to be more awareness and relevancy towards PTSS as it is becoming more and more normalized.

@October 20 at 10:49 AM

I think this is really well said!

I like how you mentioned that issues faced by the Black community are rarely spoken about unless it is for someones benefit. Many politicians will say anything to make people happy. I believe you can say anything but it is the actions you choose to make afterwards to drive change and back up what you said is what counts the most.

@Oct 20, 2020 9:38 AM

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is explored by Dr. Joy Degruy and explained as generations of trauma which continued without intervention. It is necessary to recognize that the effects of slavery did not end when we, as Whites, decided to finally understand the cruelty of our actions. The emotional and physical trauma felt by those, who had been enslaved, continued throughout their lives. The symptoms of PTSS, as outlined by Dr Degruy, include: feeling of shortened future, outburst of anger, hypervigilance, and difficulty staying or falling asleep. These symptoms were perpetuated onto children as they began to learn their behaviour from the environment they grew up in. The theory of Nature vs Nurture supports this argument through the recognition that personality and actions are learned behaviours which are nurtured to us through our agents of socialization. Family, being the most influential agent of socialization in a child’s life, shares residual impacts of trauma with those who had not themselves experienced the original trauma. I believe it is paramount that we recognize the root cause of this intergenerational trauma and distinguish between the nature of individuals and the imposed oppression of a population. The PTSS theory remains relevant when understanding the long-term cause and effect of enslavement. I agree with Dr. Degruy that learning from broken people, those who were never given an opportunity for healing, creates an environment of normalized behaviour. While the theory has remained relevant, it becomes our responsibility to distinguish between culture and generations of victims of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome.

@October 22 at 12:06 AM

Hey ___!

I liked how you answered this discussion on understanding post-traumatic slave syndrome. I like how you added the connection to the theory Nature vs Nurture as I believe this theory supports this argument as well. Overall great work on sharing your thoughts along with giving great detailed information to support your discussion.

@Oct 20, 2020 10:54 AM

I absolutely feel we should continue to use PTSS Theory as a way to understand intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism now and going forward. This theory is apart of Black history and a theory that helps to understand the intergenerational effects those of the Black community are still experiencing today. It gives context to why those who have not personally been effected by anti-Black racism still experience trauma in their every day experiences. It enables individuals to understand why fear is so prevalent in their daily interactions. If we were to take away this theory, or rename it something else, I feel like it takes away apart of history and understanding. Regardless of the strides we make to move forward to combat anti-Black racism, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, in my opinion, will always have a place in understanding the history and the challenges that those of the Black community continue to be faced with today.

@Oct 20, 2020 11:01 AM

I do not think that PTSS is a theory that should be used to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism and Black behaviours. While watching the video of Dr. Joy Degruy talk about PTSS I believed that everything she was saying sounded logical and true. Then I found an article written by Ibram X. Kendi stating that PTSS is a racist idea. He talked about things like how it's based on anecdotal evidence and generalizations which lead to conclusions on negative behaviours of Black people with no actual proof. The problem with PTSS is that it it leads to the conclusion that Black people behave more negatively than other groups. However, he also mentions a true point that you could present anecdotes of similar behaviours from White individuals as well. PTSS theory makes people believe that there is something wrong with Black people, which is the opposite of the views and values of an antiracist. I agree with Dr. Kendi, because in the end he states, "Black Americans' history of oppression has made Black opportunities -not Black behaviours-inferior" (Kendi, 2016).

https://www.aaihs.org/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome-is-a-racist-idea/

@October 20 at 11:07 AM

Wow, ___. Thank you for sharing such an opposite view and argument against using the theory PTSS in 2020 and beyond.

I can certainly see and appreciate what Dr. Kendi is trying to say, it is essentially placing a label on something that continues to separate Black communities from the rest of the population.

Do you think that there is still value in recognizing and acknowledging Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome as part of history, even if we strongly argue that continuing to use that theory going forward only contributes to racist ideas?

@October 20 at 12:30 PM

I do think that there is still some value in recognizing and acknowledging PTSS as part of history because it's not like slavery didn't happen, also Black people never got the help or therapy that they should have gotten for healing. And of course it can lead to intergenerational behaviour problems resembling PTSS but it does not make Black people inferior or 'barbaric' considering emotions and mental health symptoms can be seen equally across many different races. I think that better healthcare in general towards Black people is necessary but their mental health should not automatically give people the impression that something is wrong with them or belittle them as humans.

@October 23 at 12:21 AM

I agree that this theory should not belittle Black people as humans. However if people have a deep understanding of this theory and collectively try to tackle the problem in the correct approach no belittling will happen. Is someone who has bipolar disorder any less of a human? No, and what a crazy question. Just as crazy it is that the acknowledgement of the theory in any way belittles Black people. Recognizing an issue, which the theory was intended as I mentioned I mean think about it why would a Black women develop a theory that in any way is intended to belittle Black people.

"Essentially what she looks at is how intergenerational trauma has been passed down from slavery and how there is a lot of behaviours that served us well during slavery and now they are showing up and they are extremely harmful and hurtful. Her work specifically tries to recognize these things."

The people who believe that recognizing this theory makes Black people look as you said 'barbaric', are people who do not understand the theory. However I do agree Black people should be offered resources such as therapy, better health care etc. Without acknowledging this theory therapists cannot approach the correct kind of therapy to help African Americans.

@October 22 at 9:44 AM

Hey ___,

I love how you expressed a different view on the theory purposed by Dr. Joy Degruy. Now connecting it to the idea shared by Ibram X. Kendi shows another perspective that I never thought of. When watching the video Dr. Joy Degruy repetitively stated how the culture is angry and broken now at the same time we also can't dismiss the deep rooted issues that were left unresolved especially when they're dealing with racism and violence towards Black individuals. These historical events allowed them to be some of the strongest members in today's society. With the amount of tough situations they went through I think it would be wrong to deny PTSS as it's covering a topic on mental health that was carried on through generations. Our society validates White individuals who deal with mental illness but why not do the same for Black individuals? Mental health does not resemble weakness but rather resilance and strength.

Overall, well done especially with showing another perspective!

@October 22 at 1:49 PM

Hi ___,

Your thoughts on PTSS are definitely very similar to what was going through my mind when I read the opinion of Kendi. The fact that this term may contribute to the generalization of Black individuals experiences was what caused hesitation for me. I too at first thought this was an excellent way of helping those who have experienced intergenerational effects to identify with the root of them. However after reading about how this can be perceived as a racist idea completely changed my perspective.

@October 22 at 5:39 PM

Hey ___,

I appreciate how you took a different approach to this topic. I think your perspective makes so much sense and I'm sure it'll educate others and get them thinking more deeply about their own stance.

The points you made really back up your opinion, thank you for this! I'll have to be mindful of your comments!

@October 22 at 8:49 PM

Hi, ___!

The perspective you brought to the conversation is one I hadn't even considered prior to reading your thread. While I do believe that generation trauma must be addressed, I also understand why PTSS would be considered racist. The implication is that the way Black individuals behave is the issue, a generalization which I personally don't understand. However, I believe the continuous mistreatment of Black people does, in some ways, result in a shared traumatic experience; whether this is acted upon is where the conversation becomes problematic.

@October 23 at 12:25 AM

Hi ___,

I understand your view however hopefully this might change your view .

Theory of P.T.S.S. was developed by Dr. Joy DeGruy as a result of twelve years of quantitative and qualitative research. Essentially what she looks at is how intergenerational trauma has been passed down from slavery and how there is a lot of behaviours that served us well during slavery and now they are showing up and they are extremely harmful and hurtful. Her work specifically tries to recognize these things.

12 years of research I don't believe she will come out with as you put "no actual proof". Especially since she did use not only qualitative but qualitative data, ,numbers, which means she has numbers to back up her research shown on this website https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome.

I also want to point out that nowhere in her study does it say that Black people behave worse than any other race. We must keep in mind that white people did not just do this to Black people , white people have colonized people from the Indigenous people to Jewish people the list goes on. In saying that, I want to prove the this intergenerational trauma is not just within African Americans. Jewish people experience this with the holocaust, Indigenous people experience this with the effects of Residential schools, in saying that P.T.S.S is not real you are saying that none of these events have any affect these people, their children children, and anybody after that. You are saying that after this event these people were totally fine and came home, went about their days being happy. Even so, if Black people wanted to act out we couldn't, even the slightest movement nowadays you are penalized. Going back to my example from my post, white people performed public lynchings to tell other Black people "this is what happens when you try to advance", "this is what happens when you act out". Black people cannot even walk out in the street at night, use a cellphone in public without someone calling the cops. This theory does not infer that Black people act out. This to me is the same attitude people have when people say "all lives matter" , I think you are completely missing the point stating that P.T.S.S does not exist or that we should not use this theory anymore. Going back to my point with the Indigenous people of Canada. https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/thesescanada/vol2/OSUL/TC-OSUL-382.PDF This is an article that explains how Residential schools have intergeneral impact on Indigenous peoples. From what I have read, there were a lot of beating, raping and deaths in those schools. The rape of someones sister, beating of someones best friend, death of a brother, all of this is happening on a daily basis, all of this affects someone. If someone is mentally sick and has not received treatment they take this behaviour out on others. “Hurt people hurt people''.

This picture shows positron emission tomography (PET) scan graphics of the temporal lobes in a healthy and abused brain. Children with damage to this part of the brain suffer severe emotional and cognitive problems as well as have difficulty in making and/or sustaining positive relationships.

Historical Trauma is an example of intergenerational trauma demonstrated in this article https://www.acf.hhs.gov/trauma-toolkit/trauma-concept . It’s caused by events that target a group of people. Thus, even family members who have not directly experienced the trauma can feel the effects of the event generations later.

Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, a Native American social worker, associate professor and mental health expert. conceptualized historical trauma in the 1980's, as a way to develop stronger understanding of why life for many Native Americans is not fulfilling "the American Dream".

https://www.ihs.gov/sites/telebehavioral/themes/responsive2017/display_objects/documents/slides/historicaltrauma/htreturnsacredpath0513.pdf

There are still institutions in place that prevent Black people from doing things. Yes there are opportunities for Black people but they are ones that we have created, ones we had to fight to be put in place. There are only so many opportunities for Black people which should change

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3307045/

@October 23 at 12:26 PM

Hi ___,

It was interesting to see a different side to this argument- my thoughts were similar so I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Dr. Kendi's ideas about PTSS are what changed my perspective as well, and it was something I hadn't thought of before. I can see the problem with how this theory generalizes the Black community, and while I think it is still important to acknowledge the theory, I also think it's fair to say that it isn't without problems. I can appreciate your critical perspective.

@October 23 at 5:51 PM

Hi ___,

Dr. Kendi's ideas about PTSS is what changed my perspective as well but your perspective on this gave me a better understanding. I also agree with the end statement, "Black Americans' history of oppression has made Black opportunities -not Black behaviours-inferior".

@October 23 at 6:12 PM

Thank you for the link. Your thread really highlighted how it's easy to see something as fighting against anti-Black racism when really it's reinforcing racist ideas and stereotypes. I didn't see this theory in that light at all, I'm really glad I read your thread.

@Oct 20, 2020 12:39 PM

I believe that PTSS is still a valid theory even in 2020.

As Dr. Joy Degruy mentioned, once slavery was over, many Black people still struggled with PTSD as a result of the experience, and since it was never treated or even diagnosed, it worsened.

To make matters worse, there have been new causes of trauma since slavery that have passed onto younger generations. For instance, Black people often deal with racial profiling, experiences with white supremacists, police brutality, wrongful convictions, etc.

Naturally, the symptoms and behaviour associated with all this trauma become normalized and are passed on for generations, and these behaviours are evident in many Black people today. Unfortunately, this continues to prevail because many do not recognize this and simply view it as “a part of Black culture” and that “it is the way Black people behave.” For example, many believe that Black people are naturally violent and prone to crime. However, Black people generally have fewer job opportunities and higher unemployment rates compared to White people; and as Dr. Kendi mentions, there is a higher correlation between long-term unemployment and violence/crime than there is with race and violence/crime.

Another reason why PTSS is still prevalent today is the stigma that surrounds mental health and seeking help. Seeking help can be especially troubling for many Black people, as, historically, they have often been mistreated at the hands of medical professionals.

@October 21 at 11:30 AM

Hello ___!

I agreed with each point you made throughout your discussion post. Enslavement left individuals with long term emotional consequences that was then passed on to the next generation: beginning the cycle we are still seeing today. I think it is important to note the trauma that is additionally being faced by the Black community, as you mentioned, in the forms of: racism, racial profiling, white supremacy, and police brutality among others. These stresses are adding to the intergenerational trauma already prevalent as a result of PTSS.

I too believe it is essential to differentiate between culture and trauma. I appreciated learning from Kendi's perspective as well and additionally when he writes: "We are not meant to fear suits with policies that kill. We are not meant to fear good White males with AR-15s. No. We are to fear the weary, unarmed Latinx body from Latin America. The Arab body kneeling to Allah is to be feared. The Black body from hell is to be feared" (Kendi 76). To me, this is powerful quote that symbolizes society's inability to separate violence from culture.

@Oct 20, 2020 1:38 PM

PTSS is a form of intergenerational trauma that illustrates the experiences of Black people in North America, in my opinion, quite accurately.

Trauma is deeply ingrained in an individual, and it affects the ways they interact with others. As children are products of their social environments, it would be reasonable to assume that Black parents would unintentionally pass on the intense trauma that followed the enslavement of Black people. If socialized by a traumatized community, developing similar issues would be likely.

With inadequate mental health resources for the Black community, and the cultural stigma of experiencing mental health issues, it would be difficult to prevent the cycle from continuing along further generations. The post-traumatic stress that Black people have endured from centuries of enslavement is quite evident. PTSS as a theory is not something unusual when one understands the way that Black children are taught to understand the anti-Black society they exist in.

@Oct 20, 2020 7:41 PM

Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome refers to indirect or direct feelings of a shortened future which include symptoms of outburst of anger and trouble falling asleep. When putting this theory into perspective on the effects of anti- Black racism I would agree that PTSS should still be used when discussing the intergenerational impact that slavery has had on Black people. Learning from and witnessing people you care about who have suffered verbal, mental and physical abuse over generations can lead to some with feelings of despair. There has been no treatment for those who have faced discrimination and violence from others. This has resulted in anxiety and depression that can significantly harm a person's quality of life. I believe the term PTSS is appropriate as there is no immediate cure to the cumulative impact that slavery has had on Black people, and the way the system and society has been unable to reconcile the oppression of Black people for generations.

@October 21 at 11:54 AM

Hi ___,

I like how you mentioned that there has been no treatment for the mental stress that the cumulative impact of anti-Black racism has had on Black people. As there is no treatment, there can be no resolution of that trauma. As racist behaviour continues to be perpetuated across all groups of people, PTSS is a relevant term when discussing the untreated intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. Reconciliation is impossible while anti-Black racism remains a prevalent issue and while that trauma is ongoing.

@Oct 20, 2020 9:17 PM

PTSS, a term coined by researcher Joy DeGury describes the multigenerational trauma and injustices experienced by the Black community and how these disproportions continue to impact millions of individuals in the contemporary world. I believe that this concept is an excellent way to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism because it connects the early years of slavery and colonialism to current racial injustices like police brutality, employment inequality, and institutionalized discrimination. PTSS shows us how racism directed towards Black individuals is passed down as family heirlooms in the form of racial socialization and internalized racism.

Furthermore, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome also explains and validates many of the characteristics, fears, and coping mechanisms that Black individuals have adapted to survive in a world that is constantly discriminating, oppressing, and even murdering them. Such characteristics include:

Avoiding certain places, activities, and situations that may remind them of the traumatic experience
Feeling jumpy and on edgy, difficulty concentrating
Feeling emotionally numb or “vacant esteem” including feelings of depression, hopelessness, and self-destructive

Before this module, PTSS was not a concept that I’ve ever heard about. I’m glad I’ve learned about this concept because it also makes me wonder about the other forms of multigenerational trauma that other minorities experience. As a Chinese Canadian, I wonder if perhaps I’m influenced by the alienation and xenophobia that my ancestors have faced centuries ago (maybe I'm not, who knows?) I wonder whether or not other minorities are impacted by the pain, discrimination, and slaughter that their forefathers have endured.

https://www.sharp.com/health-news/understanding-post-traumatic-slave-syndrome.cfm

https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome

@October 21 at 9:07 AM

Wow, I am always amazed at your takeaway from the discussion question. I agree that PTSS is an excellent way to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. I agree that PTSS connects with internalized racism and creates a broken self-image based on what society says. Society standards make it more favourable to be white or lighter-skin tone. In slavery they are taught they are objects to be sold or used. This idea that they are just objects or not worthy to be treated with dignity and respect gets passed down. This all leads to the outburst and the self hate because they have not been taught how to unlearn what was taught for thousands of years. Even now the standards of beauty have not changed significantly where most black people are comfortable being themselves. There was once a law that Black woman could not wear their natural hair. Therefore, many struggles to love their natural hair or even know how to take care of it.

There is also a lack of knowledge in society when it comes to black culture and why certain tribes in Africa would braid their hair a certain way. Many things have been lost when being traded in slavery. There is a disconnect for Black people when it comes to their past because on White history is being taught. We learn we were slaves. I just learned the difference between the word’s slaves and enslaved. It is now I come to understand were not slaves but enslaved and we have so much to our history that is not discussed because it has been wiped out of western history textbook. If we were taught not just about slavery but who we were before that we would have a different view on how we see ourselves.

I think PTSS can relate to other multigenerational trauma for other minorities. I am also surprised that PTSS is not talked about often. This is not only your first time hear it, but it is my first-time hearing about this concept. I think with more awareness on PTSS we could create a program that aims to address this problem and provide a solution to end generational trauma.

Thank you for the links you attached!

@October 23 at 8:23 AM

Hello ___! Thank you for your response :) I agree, PTSS should be a theory talked about more often, especially because it can help to combat intergenerational trauma. You bring up some very interesting points that I have not thought of, such as the objectification of many Black individuals during slavery and our Euro-centric beauty standards that make many Black people uncomfortable being and expressing themselves. There are simply so many factors that can contribute to intergenerational trauma because as you mentioned, many have been not "unlearnt what was taught for thousands of years". Also, I was not aware of the law against wearing natural hair and this is something that I will definitely have to look into. Thank you for your insight!

@October 21 at 2:54 PM

I love the way you explain it! Good job! I totally agree with you and I feel that it shows that society is still not willing to spread awareness about PTSS as much. It has affected many Black individuals in their lives and affect the lives of their children as well where they have to scared to do certain normal things such as walking with their hands in their pockets in order to not be killed.

@October 22 at 2:26 PM

Hey ___, thank you for taking the time to read my discussion response! And yes I agree, I believe that PTSS explains how some Black children are socialized to be cautious and aware of their environment as a result of the direct and indirect messages they received about their own race going up. I believe this is similar (in some extent) to how little girls are often taught to never walk home alone or how they're told to cover up certain parts of their bodies. I believe that the way children are socialized by their family, community, and media really impacts how they interact with their environment and how they perceive themselves in relation to others

Thank you again for your response :)

@October 23 at 2:57 AM

Hey ___,

Your posts are always so well done! I totally agree with you and I feel that PTSS should be taught more frequently as like you said "connects the early years of slavery and colonialism" to current racial issue in today's society. Also I thought that your last sentence on ancestral trauma really stuck out to me since as a Chinese-Indian Malaysian, there could also have been centuries of despair and tragedy which our ancestors have put through which we never knew about. Thus, I think by spreading awareness and to never educating educating ourselves on terms like PTSS, we can together cease a generation out of trauma.

@October 23 at 8:30 AM

Hello ___, thank you for reading, as always :) And I agree, the concept of PTSS has helped me reconsider and reflect on the different types of intergenerational trauma that may be experienced by many minorities. Although I have not come to a solid conclusion or understanding of this concept yet, I am glad I learnt about PTSS because it taught me to see things in a different perspective.

Thank you for your response!

@Oct 20, 2020 11:07 PM

I believe that post traumatic slave syndrome is still an appropriate theory to be using in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. The historical effects of slavery are part of the deep roots that institutionally affect Black people today. Although slavery is abolished and is not legally binding Black to be dehumanized, the effects of post slavery and trauma lingers. As Dr. Joy Degruy states in her speech that the lack of mental health institutions offering their support post slavery, lead Black people to the suffrage of untreated PTSD. Take into consideration the women that have untreated mental health concerns regarding undiagnosed PTSD, anxiety and other issues. Without proper treatment and care, the women has no way of looking her mental stability. If that woman has a child, those amounts of high level anxiety, emotional and behavioral trauma especially in a woman, can affect her baby as well. The response of a fetus in a woman suffering from any mental health related issue or stress can stimulate the fetus’ stress regulation system involving the brain and the body. This article provides modern scientific examples as to how the correlation of a mothers stress can affect her child. Women with such symptoms as stated above suffer from higher levels of cortisol hormones, molecular modifications allow for cortisol genes to the growing fetus. Aside from the scientific everlasting effects of trauma, the upbringing of that child, and the intertwined impact of slavery into societal norms have also harmed Black people for generations to come. Post traumatic stress disorder is the result of traumatic experiences, (domestic) abuse, physical or sexual assaults' etc.. Mental health treated or not still has the inclination to come back anytime as hormones fluctuate regularly in men and women.

Aside from the biological impacts that allow for PTSS to be a relevant theory used today, the political and structural grounds of governments still illustrates those perpetual ideologies in politicians today. Lack of political concern lets less and less representation and continues to deny Black people the basic human rights that they deserve. Politicians today commonly express the definition of White fragility, such as defensive movements of fear, anger, argumentation and silence. Without realizing that the within the policies of governance leaves this underlying trail racist ideologies that sprouted from the times of colonialism and slavery, how can PTSS not be used as an example to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism?

@October 22 at 1:55 PM

I really like how you correlated the effects a pregnant mother has on her unborn child with high levels of anxiety and behavioural trauma. I like this perspective because in parenting/pregnancy the goal is to keep the mother stress-free so I can't even imagine how the fetus would respond to such detrimental effects that occur due to PTSS.

@October 23 at 11:09 PM

Hey ___, I agree with the part when you stated how "..The historical effects of slavery are part of the deep roots that institutionally affect Black people today..." The abolishment of slavery is not equivalent to the allowance of racial reality of equity. The lack of mental health institutions and mental health resources to the Black communities is a problem that is very prevalent to modern day, many people assume that because Black people of modern society weren't present at the time of slavery that therefore there were no aftereffects applicable to them, and this is simply not true.

@Oct 21, 2020 8:38 AM

Avoiding certain places, activities, and situations that may remind them of the traumatic experience
Feeling jumpy and on edgy, difficulty concentrating
Feeling emotionally numb or “vacant esteem” including feelings of depression, hopelessness, and self-destructive

https://www.sharp.com/health-news/understanding-post-traumatic-slave-syndrome.cfm

https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome

@October 23 at 1:23 AM

Hey ___!

I completely agree. This is the first time I have heard about PTSS as well. I think this shows how society still believes in stripping the identity of Black people. It is shown in History books , I remember only one paragraph about the Black soldiers, I only had one page on slavery. Society does not have systems in place for Black people to advance so they try to do everything in their power to push us out. This can be connected to the movie hidden figures which was based on a true story of a Black women in the background of the white male researchers but a male in the movie made it increasingly hard for her to do her job saying that the redacted information was "classified". Another example is in the music industry. there was a time when information was withheld from artists, and artists were told to trust their managers when in actuality money was being withheld from them and this happened to many groups (Ex.New Edition). I completely agree that there should be open discussions about PTSS and more people should know about this. I really enjoyed your post.

@Oct 21, 2020 9:27 AM

In my view, yes, we should be using the theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome in the years to come as it helps in understanding the sufferings and trauma that people of colour have to face. The Whites, do not really understand how privileged they are and have literally zero clue about the fears with which Black people lead their lives. Hence, it is important to know and solve the fear they carry, and PTSS is the perfect tool for this. The recent civil unrest in response to ongoing racial injustice in the U.S. highlights the trauma that African Americans have experienced and carried over the generations.

There are events that have led to such trauma in the minds of Black people. I would want to highlight a few f them: Month of June marks the anniversary of the Juneteenth and the Massacre of Black Wall Street. Juneteenth is the day that all slaves were freed in the United States.

The Massacre of Black Wall Steer was another event that caused enduring damage both economically and psychologically to the African American community. It remains the deadliest recorded act of racial aggression in the U.S. history. On June 1, 1921, white residents of Tusla, ignited two days of unparalleled racial violence against the town’s African-American community, following the accusation that a Black man had attempted to rape a white woman. The entire community was set on fire, leading to 300 deaths, 800 injuries and thousands homeless. These are just few of the many traumatising events that the Black people have to face.

Such events connect to African-American’s physical and mental health. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS), a term coined by Joy DeGury, describes the multigenerational trauma and injustices African-Americans-from the dawn of slavery to the recent deaths of Black citizens at the hands of police.

Symptoms of PTSS:

Avoiding certain places, people, or activities and events that may remind the individual of the trauma or experience.
Difficulty concentrating, feeling jumpy or being easily angered.
Appearing emotionally numb this includes feelings of hopelessness, depression and a general self-destructive outlook.

Unfortunately, when it comes to seeking medical or mental health assistance, African Americans are often suspicious of the care they will receive, and therefore, may only go to the doctor as a last resort. Historically, African Americans were mistreated at the hands of the medical profession, including being used as test subjects. Treatments have been based upon the belief that Black people are strong and do not need health care.

Hence, in my view PTSS as a theory should be used and talked about since it highlights the mental exhaustion that the Black people have faced in the past and continue to do.

The following link helped me in my research and gain insight on the topic:

1. https://www.sharp.com/health-news/understanding-post-traumatic-slave-syndrome.cfm

@October 23 at 2:48 AM

Hey ___,

I found your discussion to be really informative yet straight to the point. I liked how you drew connections between events which can lead to many having PTSS. By illustrating it through a real life event, it deepened my understanding on the effects of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. I totally agree with the theory and what you said hehe.

@Oct 21, 2020 11:48 AM

I believe that PTSS is a theory that can be referenced to understand the intergenerational effects of Anti-Black racism because of the way trauma is passed down from parent to child. Going back hundreds of years, Black people have suffered from anti-Black racism in all of its forms, from slavery to microaggressions, all of which have had lasting impacts. Whether an act is explicitly racist or subtly racist, these acts have lasting impacts on one's mind, especially when these acts are reoccurring.

Parents/guardians are significant contributors to a child's socialization, and so the PTSS endured by parents is passed on to their children. For example, when a parent teaches their child how to act in public, how to talk to strangers, and how to interact with authority figures, specifically police.

Because every generation has had to endure anti-Black racism, this is an unending cycle. The PTSS experienced by every new generation will be passed on to their children and so forth, which allows us to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. It affects the way that Black children are raised as well as how Black parents react to their child's shortcomings.

@October 21 at 4:39 PM

Hi ___,

I like how you talk about how parents/guardians are significant contributors to a child's socialization. Children are extremely impressionable so how parents act around them or how they teach them is very vital to how that child will act in the future. When a child sees their parent or guardian suffering from PTSS it will impact them and PTSS will move down to the next generation. Unless we as a nation intervene this cycle will continue to happen which is unfair to Black communities.

@October 21 at 8:17 PM

Hi ___!

I agree that whether an act of racism is in the form of a microaggression or slavery, that it will have long-lasting effects on the victim. I think that parents and guardians play a huge role in their child's socialization and it is inevitable that their untreated trauma would be passed down through generations. These untreated side effects of the traumatic event will influence how the child acts in all aspects of their life. PTSS is an educational way of understanding how and why the consequences of anti-Black racism has been passed on from generation to generation.

@Oct 21, 2020 12:17 PM

I think that PTSS is a theory that we should still be using in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of Anti Black Racism because it is still relevant today. As Dr. Joy Degruy mentioned in her video, PTSS does not simply refer to one event, but rather the effects it had and how those effects were passed on through generations. After hundreds and hundreds of years of trauma left with no treatment, the existence of residual impacts of that trauma becomes inevitable. PTSS is a theory that should still be used in 2020 because the Black community continues to face traumatic experiences, directly AND indirectly, today. The impacts of the trauma that they face, similar to the impacts of the trauma caused by slavery, will be passed down through generations. PTSS should be a theory that is still actively used in 2020, so that we can understand and compare the causes of trauma, and actually make a change this time. Rather than leaving the trauma to be untreated and passed down to the next generations, the PTSS should be used as one of MANY reasons as to why treatment must be offered to those in the Black community, who have experienced trauma due to Anti-Black racism. The PTSS theory should be used also as a way to educate those who have yet to understand the injustice that Black people are facing today due to Anti-Black Racism, so that the world moves one step closer to putting an end to Anti-Black Racism. Overall, I believe that the PTSS theory should still be used in 2020 and beyond because it is still relevant in today's society, and it will help promote treatment for PTSD caused by Anti-Black Racism, as well as educate others on the serious impacts of Anti-Black Racism.

@Oct 21, 2020 1:42 PM

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is the theory that suggests that the psychological impact of Slavery is passed down through the generations. Each new generation grows up with parents and grandparents that suffer with symptoms of PTSD and learn those to be normal. A Dr. Joy Degruy, explains in the video, that this happens because there is no intervention to deal with these issues. There is still no active attempt to address them. The socio-economic impacts of segregation, police brutality and systemic racism are bound to cause more mental health issues that may continue to be passed down.

The policies that might help, may include making therapy more accessible for all people, maybe by making it free. Other policies to address socio-economic imbalances like tuition free colleges, some form of income support, more public housing, a jobs program. All these taking race into account. These might break the chain of PTSS. But as long as there is no intervention, PTSS would be a relevant theory.

@October 21 at 4:36 PM

Hi ___,

I like how you highlighted that with each generation symptoms of PTSS are being learned as norms. It pains me that when slavery ended there was no help offered to those who had suffered through this torture for many years. There was probably no help offered because even though they were freed from slavery, Black people didn't have a lot of rights until later on in history. I also like how you included policies that may help with this issue. I feel that after all we have put Black people through, now is the time where we need to start righting our wrongs.

@October 23 at 4:32 PM

Agreed!

@October 21 at 7:56 PM

Hi ___!

I agree that creating policies to make therapy more accessible - free - for people could aid in the trauma which Black people experienced or are experiencing. I also thin addressing and changing the socio-economic inequalities in our society due to race is an important step in treating PTSS. I think that even with treatment PTSS would still be a relevant theory as post traumatic stress disorders usually cannot be cured. For example, soldiers coming back from war who suffer from PTSD can go to therapy and still later suffer the consequences of their experience.

@October 23 at 4:32 PM

Hi ___,

Do you think if the passing down of the symptoms of PTSD could be stopped?

I was thinking that if for example, the parent gets therapy and learns to manage the symptoms, maybe get better than the children would be safe.

@October 22 at 8:39 PM

Hi ___,

I think it's interesting how you highlighted injustices from an economic standpoint. Unfortunately, we currently exist in a system than benefits from the oppression of Black people, so while I agree that various supports would be beneficial, I don't believe it is a plausible solution in our current state. PTSS must be addressed, but prejudices prevent a good number of people, specifically those in positions of power, to see the importance of treating the hurt inflicted to each and every Black individuals as a result of the horrific crimes committed against them.

@October 23 at 4:26 PM

Hey ___,

Unfortunately I agree with you on this. The policies that I suggested might be difficult to get through to those in power. But I feel like things are changing. More people are aware of our past and agree on what needs to be done. Do you think the BLM protests may have shaken the people in power up, made them aware as well?

@Oct 21, 2020 2:49 PM

I think PTSS is a theory we should still be using in 2020 because many Black individual are affected by PTSS which can be passed down from generation to generation. As Dr. Degruy explain that children can be affected by learning from their parents which can have negative influence if they are dealing with trauma as stated "What happen in your environment are learned from your significant others in your environment (4:45-4:49). If a parent or both parents experienced trauma either directly or indirectly it will affect everyone in the environment especially if they both did not receive any treatment as Dr. Degruy stated "When we are talking about shadow slavery, we are not talking about one trauma [or a] specific event we're talking about generation of trauma with no intervention"(0:8-0:24). Without any intervention or treatment, things can become a lot worse and create an unsafe environment. It is important that we recognize this and use to understand intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. For example, many people of color would teach their children to take their hoodie off to avoid looking suspicious or keep their hands out of their pocket to avoid being killed because they look like they had a weapon on them. This can pass on the trauma to them and at a young age, your role model is your parents and their behavior will affect them and how they perceive the world. According to Dr. Degruy, she explains "Mom who saw dad sold or sister raped has PTSD...Mom has outburst of anger, feeling of foreshortened future, difficulty of falling or staying asleep, hyper vigilance...Johnny or Mary or Shaquiesha did not have the original trauma but what are they learning from Mom"(4:00-4:29). These children can be traumatized and can passes the trauma on to their future children and so on so forth.

@October 21 at 4:32 PM

Hi ___,

I like how you highlight that PTSS can be passed down from generation to generation, I feel most people believe that disorders like this cannot be passed down genetically which is incorrect. Like you mentioned from the video, a mother who has witnessed things like a sister being raped and has PTSD and is showing the symptoms, children can easily pick up on that and learn from what they see. I feel that's why it's important for us to continue using this theory, so we can help those who are still suffering.

@Oct 21, 2020 4:28 PM

I think the PTSS theory should still be used in 2020, and should continue to be used in future years. Just because slavery isn't used anymore and is well in our past doesn't mean it should be ignored, ignoring this issue is the same thing as disregarding those who were victims of slavery and their descendants that walk with us today. Like Dr. Joy Degruy talks about in the video we watched, when slavery was over the victims were not offered any kind of therapy or professional help to cope with what they and many other generations had all had to suffer. Because of this they have developed PTSS, which would affect future generations to this day. In order to understand how anti-Black racism has effected Black people for generations we need to use PTSS, we need to understand that we as a nation put millions of Black people through slavery for hundreds of years and then offered no help to them. Which is why, though slavery has been over for years now, it's still a very traumatic subject for some Black people.

@Oct 21, 2020 7:48 PM

I think Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a theory that should continue to be used in 2020 and onward to better understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. Dr. Joy Degruy gives a thorough explanation of what PTSS is as well as the negative effects it has on Black people through generations, either directly or indirectly affected by slavery. She explains how just because some Black people have not experienced slavery, does not mean they do not experience symptoms of slavery. She talks about how slavery has caused Black people to develop PTSD, or PTSS, due to the generations of cultural trauma starting from slavery with no intervention. Slavery does not refer to a single event but instead hundreds of years of trauma with no treatment. As well, even after enslaved Black people were ‘freed’, trauma continued to occur and still no treatment was provided for them. The trauma stemming from the slave trade has never ended leading to victims inheriting residual effects. Black people with PTSS endure symptoms such as outbursts of anger, a feeling of foreshortened future, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and hypervigilance. Since they have not received treatment for the trauma they have been through, this behavior becomes normalized and gets passed onto their offspring. While their offspring did not directly experience slavery, they will now experience and normalize the same symptoms of PTSS and therefore act in the same ways. This behavior being passed through generations is what creates the false stereotype of Black ‘culture.’ This theory is an effective way of understanding how today’s Black youth can be indirectly affected by slavery and the current trauma they face today. In addition, I believe that learning and understanding this theory could help aid people with white fragility. If uneducated white people can educate themselves and better understand why exactly Black people act the way they do, there may not immediately become defensive in a conversation about racism.

@October 23 at 3:21 PM

Hello ___!

I absolutely agree with the emphasis you placed on understanding intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism and its connections to PTSS. Whether direct or indirect trauma, symptoms remain impactful. I also appreciated your perspective that just because individuals become physically 'free', it does not equate to emotional freedom. I further agree that as behaviour becomes intergenerational, it also becomes normalized. It is our responsibility to never blur the lines between symptoms of trauma and culture. We must always seek to understand the root causes of trauma and conflict in order to promote health, well-being, and peace.

@Oct 21, 2020 8:00 PM

I fully believe this theory is still prevalent and should be used in 2020. This theory was very interesting to hear, and I never thought about how it can carry on into several generations. Our system is corrupt, and we have broken yet strong people coming out of it. Black people came out of years of slavery and emotional trauma just to hear “it’s in the past get over it”, but is it really in the past if the trauma carried on into 2020 with riots from anger outbursts? No, it’s a present-day issue. We have therapy and many resources that can be very expensive and it becomes difficult to seek when they have people around stating leave it in the past and get over it. They had ancestors go through the trauma of being labeled as “property” and abused in every possible way just to enter 2020 with police brutality and the killing of innocent lives. A way to think about it outside of race would be a father abusing his children by taking out his unresolved issues onto them, this then goes into the child’s future family, a domino effect plays out. Our society can understand an abusive parent and trauma that the child undergoes yet dismisses slavery and the trauma a whole race dealt with. Using the theory PTSS would be beneficial to educate our society and even Black individuals on it (they might not know they even deal with it). The theory makes a lot of sense especially when connecting it to the protests and the way cops handled it poorly. They have every right to be angry, hurt, or upset. Instead of labeling them as looters, rioters, or thugs like Donald Trump called them we should be spreading resources and reach out to those affected.

@October 22 at 1:46 PM

Hi ___!

I really liked how you used the example of abuse to further explain and put this theory into perspective and also to further prove the long lasting effects trauma can have. I think this theory should not only be talked about more in the media but also in schools. If this was taught either in high school or elementary school it would be an easy way for more people to become aware, it is unfortunate that this is not the case. What do you think?

@October 22 at 6:52 PM

Hey ___,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I think you made some really good points, and in particular, I love your perspective on therapy. It is so true that therapy and supports are pretty expensive, and while here in KW we do have the opportunity to access free services, thats not the case for everyone. And more often that not, people's bias still plays a role which is similar to what you mentioned with the "get over it" idea. I think we really have to combat the racist ideas that dwell in people's conscious and unconscious bias and use education to make it work as a whole. Which is unfortunate, considering that this is a global issue.

@October 23 at 8:07 PM

Hey ___,

I thought that you did an amazing job with your post. I think that it is really interesting how you compared how different the treatments of generational trauma from anti-Black racism/slavery and family traumas are. It truly is crazy that people will fully embrace a trauma that they claim "doesn't exist" as long it stems from a different situation.

@Oct 21, 2020 8:02 PM

I believe PTSS theory is a theory we should be using in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. I think it's important for people to understand that millions of Black people were traumatized for hundreds of years and there is no possible way for Black people to not have lasting mental issues such as Post Traumatic Slave Syndrom. As Dr. Joy Degruy said in her video, "What is Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome and the Effects," there were hundreds of years of traumatic experiences towards Black people, without any treatment, then Black people were freed into more traumatic experiences towards Black people, without any treatment. There was no mental health help for Black people after years of being treated like lesser human beings and then being perceived as dangerous, unworthy, reckless, and animals all over tv.

@October 22 at 5:04 PM

I agree! I think your last point about mental health is still really relevant. Even today, there is such a stigma about mental health in Black communities. For many Black people, mental health problems may never be diagnosed or treated out of fear or lack of resources. This could definitely stem from PTS

@Oct 21, 2020 9:27 PM

I believe that the post-traumatic slave disorder theory is very important to recognize and discuss to a full extent especially in today's generation. The root of the problem lies within PTSS. As eugenics refuse to die, in our world today we still have Black people facing trauma as racism can physically and mentally damage a person. Looking back at history although treatment was not accessible, today we see there are many resources available yet, PTSS is still an ongoing condition. The effects it has on anti-Black racism can be clear as stereotyping, for example, can lead to triggers that can lead to stress and anxiety (White woman clutching her purse in an elevator when a Black man enters) After learning about this theory I have a greater understanding. This is something that needs to be more looked at and spoken about as this is my first time hearing of such a theory.

@Oct 21, 2020 11:39 PM

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a theory we should carry on into 2020. People struggle to understand those past traumas can be carried out into our future. Dr. Joy Degury referenced that we learn from what we see. If a mother, dad, or caregiver sufferers from angry outbursts, exsaturating startled response and hypervirulence, you will adopt those same behaviours and normalize them. People need to understand that the negative stereotypes surrounding black people about being loud and violent were normalized due to past trauma without having the resources or knowledge to treat it. One hundred years of physical and mental torcher leaves a scar that cuts so deep we carry it forward. In school, I remember learning about residential schools. Kids were ripped from their homes and stripped of their culture. They were beaten, physically, mentally, sexually abused. They were living in conditions so bad that they would die from diseases. No love, care or sense of home was ever taught or shown to these kids. When the last residential school closed, the damage was already done. Most of the kids ended up feeling very disconnected or hated their culture. Even when they had families of their own, they would abuse their children. They showed no love or care because they had no idea what that was.

History always contains the answers to why things are, the way they are.

@October 22 at 9:26 AM

Hey ___,

Your discussion was well said especially with tying it into historical events like residential schools. I also agree we should use the PTSS in 2020 especially when our mental health organizations and several health care providers can state how PTSD is real and a lot of soldiers deal with it, yet I've never heard any of them validate how PTSS cuts deep into the culture and race of people. I totally agree with the theory and what you said.

Well done!

@October 23 at 2:50 AM

Hey ___,

Your conversation was very much said particularly with integrating it with recorded functions like private schools. I likewise concur we should utilise PTSS in 2020 particularly when our emotional wellness associations and a few medical care suppliers can state how PTSD is genuine and a great deal of officers manage it, yet I've never heard any of them approve how PTSS cuts profound into the way of life and race of individuals.

@Oct 22, 2020 1:36 PM

Although I do think it is important to acknowledge and create awareness surrounding the effects of intergenerational trauma relating to Black individuals, I believe we should not generalize this into one category or one term, in this case PTSS. After reading this weeks chapter and the thoughts of Kendi (2017), I believe that using this term could potentially create a generalization that the all Black people are ‘damaged’ or ‘traumatized’ (p. 97). Using the term in this context could contribute to erasure, failing to promote healing and empowerment among Black individuals. We must be careful to not diminish Black resilience to the sole identity of ‘traumatized’.

@October 22 at 1:53 PM

Hello ___!

I think you offer a very unique perspective on this issue, one that I have not thought of. Although I had an opposite standpoint, you bring up a very good point that is helping me reaccess my perspective. It's definitely damaging to generalize Black individuals into one group, especially because everyone's experience is different and we don't want to declare that everyone is 'damaged' or 'traumatized'. This makes me think of my own experience with internalized homophobia. Historically speaking, the LGBTQ+ community is one that has faced decades of rejection, invalidation, discrimination, and even violence. As a result, many Queer individuals today experience internalized homophobia or the feeling of disgust or 'negative social attitudes' towards their own sexual identity. Even though I can understand why this is a common feeling in my community, it is also something that I have never really experienced in my life. Personally, I didn't struggle much with accepting the fact that I was gay, it just made sense to me. I've met other Queer individuals who have felt the same way, despite the fact that many other members in our community experience feelings of shame and disgust with their sexuality

But does this mean that internalized homophobia should never be used to describe the LGBTQ+ experience? Should PTSS be used to describe intergenerational trauma despite the fact that many Black individuals have different experiences? Honestly, I don't have answers to either of these questions, but I think these are things worth thinking about nonetheless. I think PTSS is an interesting theory, and both arguments to support/reject it are just as fascinating.

Thank you for sharing your post! It definitely helped me think deeper on this subject :)

___

@October 22 at 10:47 PM

Hi ___,

I agree with you that we have to be careful. We don't want to diminish resilience into trauma. This is why education and the promotion of healing is important. Absolutely.

@October 23 at 12:18 AM

Hi ___!
Your post offered a different perspective than mine, and I am glad I was able to see this different point of view. While I had an opposite idea, I definitely enjoyed and agree with your post. Generalization has been one of the most detrimental aspects of racism, specifically in terms of stereotypes. Black people have been placed into stereotypical groups for years in terms of class, behaviour, and even their biology. Using the Post Traumatic Slave Disorder in 2020 could definitely contribute more to these harmful generalizations. I completely agree with you, we must avoid diminishing Black resilience by categorizing them as simply 'damaged'. Perhaps this theory could be reformed. While I agreed with some of its aspects, after seeing your point of view I am now well aware that it has a few setbacks.

@October 23 at 1:51 PM

Thanks for your response!

I definitely agree that this theory could be beneficial if reformed and in the right context so thank you for pointing that out. I do agree that it is very important to recognize the intergenerational effects such oppressive events had and continue to have on Black individuals, but Kendis response made me feel as though how we go about acknowledging them is very important. My hesitation is definitely the generalization that comes with the term PTSS. Despite this I can definitely see where the responses in favour of the theory are coming from

@Oct 22, 2020 1:50 PM

From what I've learned in Dr. Joy Degroy’s video I would say yes, PTSS should still be used as a tool to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism even in 2020. One point that stuck out to me in her video was that the generations of Black people after slaves were/are learning from the same broken people. She referred to it as becoming a culture. If that’s the case I can briefly look at some things that slaves went through that contributed to their PTSS and explain it’s relevance in 2020. These people were given absolutely no mental support before or after the period of slavery and were not taught how to deal or even identify the trauma they experienced. Since the generations after them are taking after these people, the effects of PTSS becomes an issue for those individuals, the ones after them, and so forth. This cycle is the reason why this theory should still be used to view and explore the deep-rooted effects of anti-Black racism. The link I've attached below gives more insight into Dr. Joy Degruy's theory of PTSS.

https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome

@October 22 at 5:21 PM

Hello ___,

I agree, when Dr. Joy degroy's talked about how generations of Black people were never given any help, then referred to it becoming a culture, stood out to me as well. The theory is a great way to understand the effects of anti-Black racism. I really enjoyed reading your post, good job!

@Oct 22, 2020 3:47 PM

Yes I strongly believe that PTSS is a theory that we should still be using in 2020 and beyond as we have seen the intergenerational trauma can effect you for generations and generations. Even though the trauma may not have happened to you or them directly it can still continue to affect them in other ways. There has been no interventions, or mental health resources to help those that were apart of slavery. The same for therapy, there was no treatment for them. This trauma has continued to build and build as it goes untreated. As we have seen through many different kinds of research, children are affected when their parents have been through some sort of trauma and then that affects them and their children and so on. It affects you whether it happened to you directly, or indirectly. Trauma just doesn't disappear and could have long lasting effects. You're learning from your parents, and eventually this behaviour and environment that you group up in because normalized. Cultural and racial trauma is very much still around and we need to be conscious and aware of this.

@October 22 at 5:11 PM

Hey ___,

I really liked the way mentioned trauma, therapy and how trauma can be passed down from parents onto their children even if the child didn't experience it directly. Your last sentence was very impactful. Great job on this discussion post.

@October 22 at 5:36 PM

Hi ___,

I like how you mentioned the fact that there was little to no treatment/therapy for those that endured trauma or suffer from any intergenerational effects. I believe it's so important that these individuals get the support and help they need because this generation is what forms the following generation, right? If it goes untreated and unnoticed, it'll become a cycle.

You're so right about how "trauma just doesn't disappear". In my discussion post I mentioned how many people don't think this theory should be relevant in 2020 because "it happened in the past", but like you said, it doesn't disappear!

@October 22 at 6:34 PM

Hello, thank you for sharing!

I agree with your post, PTSS is still very much alive. I agree that intergenerational trauma doesn't just go away. As a society and a community we must embrace that we need to work toward providing more accessible recourses for Black individuals. This way we can become allies and create a world that helps Black individuals' process of healing.

@October 22 at 7:25 PM

Hi ___!

I agree with your statement that "trauma has continued to build and build as it goes untreated." This is certainly accurate and it will continue to be like this if we all don't put some effort into making a change. We should not only acknowledge the effects racist encounters have been causing on Black people for years, but also stand up for their mental health and raise awareness globally.

@Oct 22, 2020 4:27 PM

I think the theory of PTSS can be successful when explaining and presenting to us the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. What I don't think is that PTSS can explain the entirety of one or various traumas taking place in younger generations.

I think in 2020 many traumas actually surge more from the ongoing events targeting Black people, especially the cases of over policing and police brutality happening daily, rather than from past generational experiences.

PTSS could aid when understanding these traumas, but personally I don't think they are the main reason why traumas caused by anti-Black behaviors persist for many generations.

@October 22 at 4:59 PM

I couldn't agree more. Slavery does have a huge impact on all Black people, but witnessing what is currently happening to Black people around the world is much more damaging because it gives the idea of "that could be me". I take PTSS as a starting point for looking at Black trauma, but there is so much more to unpack as well.

@October 22 at 8:23 PM

Hey ___,

I completely agree while the theory of PTSS can be used to explain the affects of anti-Black racism it can be used to explain the amount of trauma caused by anti-Black racism today. In today's society we can see affects of the past from microaggression and police brutality. But I can say that to day we have a lot more resources to recognize and treat mental illness with sensitivity.We also now have a voice to pinpoint and call out racial injustice.

@October 22 at 5:07 PM

Hey ___, I really enjoyed your discussion post. I think you hit all the right points. Good job adding in current examples of how Black people are still affected today. Black people were never given the time, resources, or help to heal and get better from everything that happened. Slavery might be over but yes, Black people still feel the lasting effect it has.

@October 22 at 10:37 PM

Hi ___,

You made a good point in how PTSS isn't a main reason to explain trauma in recent generations. The fact that there continues to be traumas in ongoing issues in - like you mentioned - police brutality, is still happening and this is part of ongoing traumas happening today.

On the contrary, if we are looking at how Black people are being raised (which has continually been used for comedy, I've seen recent TikToks made by Black content creators) which could actually be an intergenerational effect of the way Black slaves were treated, I think this could explain the parenting aspect of intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism.

@October 23 at 4:06 PM

Hi ___,

You made an interesting point about traumas resulting from what is happening right now in the world. I think that's incredibly important to acknowledge as trauma can be caused by multiple factors. I think looking beyond PTSS, we need to acknowledge that oppression still continues today as it greatly impacts the mental health of younger generations.

@Oct 22, 2020 4:53 PM

I believe that we should definitely be using the Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome theory to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. I feel like every Black person in society carries this sense of fight or flight when moving throughout society. Yes, it might be caused by the fact that we constantly see people like us being targeted, but it could also be because Black people as a whole have, historically, always needed it. When there is untreated trauma, it often affects one's day-to-day life. Dy. Joy Degruy talks about how most times, people acknowledge trauma and address it. When someone loses a family member, gets abused and exploited, or gets raped, it should be recognized and validated. The trauma is seen for what it is and can be used to explain why a person functions the way they do. However, when all of this was happening to generations of slaves, it is not seen for what it is. I've found that one main point Dr. Joy Degruy talks about is this question of "what do the injuries from slavery look like in Black people today?" Slavery can be over, but that does not mean that Black people today do not still feel what was felt or that it is not ingrained in us from the hundreds of years and multiple generations that if affected.

Not only does the Black community feel the trauma from hundreds of years ago, but we are immobilized every time we have to witness the death of someone who looks like us from a video on a device. This pain is passed through generations consciously and subconsciously. Sometimes parents will have these tough conversations with their kids about the tribulations of being a Black person in society, or other times a Black child just has to watch how their parents function in society to understand how hard it could be. PTSS theory explains something that is often overlooked. The collective pain and trauma of the Black population are so important to address but also assess and heal.

@October 23 at 10:39 AM

Hi ___! Thank you so much, if you ever want to continue this conversation feel free to email me :)

@October 22 at 6:39 PM

Hey ___!

Thank you for sharing your ideas,

I really appreciate the connection you made about the fact that yes, you feel the trauma from history, but you also feel the trauma from today, and how that also gets passed down. I think it's important that more people look at it this way, because we really shut a lot down if we close it off to just history. We know that there are serious issues still taking place, even if they're not slavery, and they too, take an enormous toll on the Black communities.

@October 23 at 10:41 AM

Hey ___, I'm glad we feel the same. If you would ever like a study buddy for this class, or would like to carry on the conversation just send me an email!

@October 23 at 10:35 AM

Hi ___! I really appreciate how you were able to talk about how the Black Community faces trauma from the past, but also how they are constantly going through traumatic experiences today! It really puts an emphasis on how anti-Black racism and its traumatic effects can take different forms but still have the same lasting negative effects that get passed down.

@October 23 at 10:44 AM

Hi ___, I definitely don't want to speak for the whole Black community when I talk about trauma, but I do feel like I'm not the only Black person who can be exhausted from the traumatic experiences of today. If you ever want to carry on the conversation, I'm an email away :)

@Oct 22, 2020 5:31 PM

I believe PTSS is a theory that should still be relevant in today's society and something we should all be aware of. It's a large part of history that should never be ignored, and it's a theory that individuals should take the time to educate themselves on. A lot of people think that this is something in the past and since it hasn't happened for many years, it's not important to be aware of. As stated in the discussion question, the effects of intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism is still very prevalent in our society and should be taken serious. It needs to be understood that "Black individuals face trauma and ongoing oppression" (Kendi, 2019) and that there is a fear that some form of slavery has potential to occur again. Since white supremacy still exists today, this fear is very relevant especially if someone with political power shares this stance.

This is a theory we need to remember and be mindful of because there's so much hurt and trauma within Black individuals, and unfortunately oppression and discrimination is still alive today. We need to be educated on Black history so we know how to properly address difficulties, challenge racism and support those that need it. The healing process from that time in history is very delicate and it's not over yet. We must be mindful, patient and understanding why this theory still should be addressed and not forgotten in 2020 or any time soon.

@October 22 at 6:26 PM

Yes! I totally agree with your post! This is such an important part of history that should be studies more rather than being ignored. We all need to understand the affects of PTSS and the intergenerational trauma associated with it, that way we can be better allies in helping Black individuals heal from this. To even be an ally we need to understand the past and the impact of it. We need to learn and be educated on these topics to create change in our society to promote justice, equality and equity for Black people. Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed reading your piece.

@October 22 at 10:32 PM

Hi ___,

I definitely agree with you that people need to be patient and educate themselves on slavery and intergenerational effects. Unfortunately, not a lot of people understand that you can continue trauma in families and it is important for people to be educated on that fact. Education is the most important part of challenging anti-Black racism!

@Oct 22, 2020 5:43 PM

I do think that Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS) should still be used and studied to understand intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. The reason for that is to bring about change; we need to understand the roots of this situation. To make white supremacists face their actions and the causes of their action we need to talk about history to understand the consequences of those actions on Black people. There’s a history of multigenerational trauma along with continued oppressions, institutionalized racism, and the causes of internalized racism. All of these are still very much present today. We need to talk and learn about this more and bring awareness of this situation because it affects Black individuals on many levels. To prevent these, is not to criminalize Black individuals but to stand alongside Black people to bring about a just change. This is something that needs to be done in solidarity; it is one of the ways that we can have power with numbers to take the power back. Thus, is the first step in being alongside Black individuals in helping heal from intergenerational PTSS.

@Oct 22, 2020 6:29 PM

I do think that PTSS is a theory that we should still be using in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism, for a few reasons. First of all, being Indigenous, I know that intergenerational trauma is a real thing. If you’ve taken any Indigenous Studies courses, you’ve probably learned what it looks like. For Indigenous communities, it stemmed from racism and especially residential schools.It might even serve as an ‘explanation’, or as a ‘reason’ for the current and past states of Indigenous people. But it is for sure an effect of systemic oppression. It could also combat stereotypes such as the “drunk native’ stereotype (Indigenous peoples abused alcohol in order to escape their reality after experiencing the residential school system, and so their children experienced their addiction, which lead them to also have an addiction...and the cycle continues). Basically, what it entails is that the experiences of people, which may have caused them to act certain ways, pass through the next generations and the next generations learn from watching or experiencing. It’s similar to what Dr. Degruy explains about PTSD and PTSS.

Here’s the thing, while this is recognized to an extent in the Indigenous communities, it doesn’t reciprocate into the Black communities. This is a problem, as the Black communities have faced endless trauma and racism. Like the Indigenous people, this trauma and the experiences that Black people have faced and are still facing today, are also passed through generations whether you notice and address it, or not. Stereotypes (because of this trauma) arise and have created these generalized and racist ideas about Black people which contribute to anti-Black racism. And now, these ideas are believed to be the ‘culture’ of Black individuals, like Dr. Degruy explains in the video. I think it’s extremely important that people know and understand that White people are to blame for the state of our BIPOC communities today, as is racism in general. It is not at the hands of the affected group.

Essentially, I think that if we use the PTSS theory, it could combat a lot of pre-existing ideas and racism surrounding Black communities across the globe. I think it’s also important that we reinforce and continue to exercise the idea that just because these Black individuals might not have experienced slavery first hand, doesn’t mean that they don’t still face the effects of it today. I’ve noticed how often people ‘forget’ that racism came from slavery.

@Oct 22, 2020 8:26 PM

PTSS reflects the generational trauma unique to Black individuals in a colonized setting. This is especially relevant as the effects of the enslavement Black people suffered through are prevalent to this day. The documentary “13th” touches upon this fact; it states that enslavement of Black people was abolished only on paper, but the system itself is designed for the oppression of Black people at the hands of White. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This amendment in the U.S Constitution, the supposed end of enslavement of Black people, provided justification for the rates at which Black individuals are incarcerated. This is by design. The U.S. prison system, which is for profit, benefits from the increased number of Black bodies in the system, which further perpetuates Black trauma in different forms. PTSS demonstrates this, linking the past trauma of Black people who were enslaved to the effects it has in the modern day. For this reason, it should be used.

@Oct 22, 2020 8:54 PM

So from the video that was part of this module where Dr. Joy DeGruy talks about P.T.S.S, also known as Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, it really made sense. The theory basically states that PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that slaves had unfortunately acquired due to being traumatized during their slavery has been passed down to generations through Social Learning Theory. Social Learning Theory is when new behaviours can be acquired through observing and imitating others. Now as a psych student, this all makes sense because if slaves, who were parents all those years ago had PTSD or P.T.S.S, then their children would have imitated this behaviour and learned by observation and imitation of their parents.

It's known in Psychology that children are very impressionable and they learn a lot through imitating and observing. Parents have a huge impact on their children. Children retain most of their memories from childhood in their unconscious, you may wonder what this means but think of the example as riding a bike, when you get on a bike after first learning how to ride it your "muscle memory" kicks in, this memory is stored in your unconscious without you realizing or thinking about it. When children are around individuals who exhibit a certain behaviour such as the symptoms for PTSD or P.T.S.S then those children are more likely to exhibit that behaviour as they grow older.

after relating this to theories and ideas that I've learned from my psychology class it only makes sense and helps us to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. I have looked at some other articles that tried to disprove P.T.S.S and they don't have the theories or evidence to back them up. Most of the opposing theories state that not all black individuals are subject to this and that over generations it has faded away and that now Black individuals who end up in jail are in jail because of a "bad childhood". However, those theories are not thought out all the way, if they did have a so-called "bad childhood" we have to look at the reason for that. Everything stems from history and we may not realize how much our past affects us whether it be significant or insignificant but once again, a lot is stored in our unconscious without us realizing it.

I believe that it should still be used today because even though it has been years since slavery existed, it is still influencing Black individuals around the world whether that be simply changing their behaviour in certain environments. The effects may not be as identifiable today but I do think it is a term worth using in today's society.

@Oct 22, 2020 9:56 PM

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a condition that exists as a consequence of centuries of slavery followed by institutionalized racism and oppression have resulted in multigenerational adaptive behavior, some positive reflecting resilience, and others that are harmful and destructive. (Brandon Jones)

The theory of P.T.S.S was developed by Dr. Joy DeGruy. Essentially what she looks at is how intergenerational trauma has been passed down from slavery and how there is a lot of behaviours that served us well during slavery and now they are showing up and they are extremely harmful and hurtful. Her work specifically tries to recognize these things. For instance, sometimes in Black families there is a lot of negative self-talk. Which has a huge impact on the psyche of Black children, but when you break it down and look at the history of that, it is because they are repeating what the slave master had said.

James Marion Sims

A vaginal speculum is an instrument created to inspect the vagina. James Marion Sims is credited to have come up with this invention and is noted to be the wealthiest physician ever lived. He was a physician in the mid 1800’s. Sims had made a makeshift hospital in his backyard where he conducted surgical experiments on African slave women. Sims reasoned that African women were able to bear great pain because their race made them more durable and thus, they were well suited for painful medical experimentation. This is someone who had taken an oath to do no harm, but he cut into Black women without anesthesia. Where did they get these women you ask? The problem was that these women were not “fit” for duty by their slave masters. Many of these women stuffed their fistulas. A fistula is a breakdown of tissue in the vagina walls frequently as a result of childbirth which affects the bladder and or the rectum. This disorder causes leakage of urine and feces into the vagina. But this condition did not prohibit these women from performing their work on the plantation. The ‘duty’ the women were unfit for was to sexually serve their slave master. Their condition made them less desirable which made them ‘unfit for duty’. The explanation for rape was that Black women were lustful, noted in this article https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/gender/history2.html, and surely that makes it okay now because then if we are lustful we deserve it (sarcasm).” The Black female’s protruding buttocks were as physical evidence of pathology, as noted in this article https://www.jstor.org/stable/1343468?seq=6#metadata_info_tab_contents. It's hard to believe. The thing is everyone wants that butt now. It is an African butt, now people are injecting themselves to get it, injecting their lips to get big lips we were told were ugly on our dark faces. People are getting braids and the entire time they still call us ugly. One thing in Hasan Minhaj’s video that connects with this notion and that really resonates with me is that people love living with Black people when they are on screen but not in their house or up close. Hasan mentioned how Black people receive no help when it comes to being successful and this is true because nobody wants to help the Black person. But you want to listen to our music, dresses like us, do your hair like we do. People want the benefits of being Black but ignore the hardships. You want to tell us our dark skin is ugly but go out and get a tan. The sad thing about it is that we believe it. The notion of “good hair”, “light skin people”, and this is just the things we hear within the Black community. White people do not do that to other white people. We have pathologized what is naturally us. We use “nappy hair” as an insult. That is post traumatic slave syndrome. That is what that looks like, this is evidence of PTSS, slavery was an institution based on a pattern of imitation, fear, powerlessness. This is unconsciously passed on from generation to generation.

When they did the lynching of Black people, they did it in public as a warning to say if you progress too much this is what we will do to you. Trauma can change the DNA, traumatized parents traumatize their children. The effects of communities colonized. It is about trying to be white for social privilege and trying to be white for advancement. Trying to hide your African self and lessen the expression of your African self just to get by because you're reinforced with the more European you are. We are damaging our psyche on a daily basis to fit in. Even though people consider everyone free there are things that African Americans can't do, or have a difficult time because society forces the obstacles and barriers up

The history of slavery has imprisoned the mind of the people who suffered it to this day. That is why I firmly believe that the PTSs theory should still be used. It is the understanding of this theory and then implementing a remedy for these behaviours that have been passed down. It is then and only then we will see some kind of progress within the community of real help.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2563360/#ref6

https://jme.bmj.com/content/medethics/19/1/28.full.pdf

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/equity/projects/infantmortality/session2.2.pdf

@Oct 22, 2020 10:13 PM

I do think that we should still be using Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome in 2020. Yes, slavery was abolished but that has not completely changed the way people act towards the Black community. Some symptoms of PTSS include

Avoiding certain places, people, or activities and events that bring up bad memories
Difficulty concentrating, feeling jumpy or being easily angered.
Feelings of hopelessness, depression and generally self-destructive

These symptoms do not just appear from Black people who have experienced slavery. Unfortunately, many people from current society feel these symptoms simply because they are treated poorly for the colour of their skin. A difference that I see between PTSD and PTSS is that PTSD is not passed down from generations. The generations after, do not necessarily have PTSD unless they have experienced that certain traumatic event. For PTSS, parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and even great great grandparents have experiences or family experiences of slavery. Black Parents have to tell their children to be careful in different environments because they know that it is not safe or may not be friendly towards them. PTSS has progressed, maybe not as extreme as it once was however, it still happens today for certain individuals. During slavery, parents who had that post traumatic stress or symptoms of it have passed it onto their children who now imitate the same behaviour. It becomes like a second nature to them. The challenge was to come up from slavery, and the conditions of slavery had certainly limited social and intellectual development.

PTSS is not something that can be completely treated for, can see a doctor for, or be cured for. This requires social change in society and more importantly a change in individuals. We need to remember that the horrible things that happened in the past do not just disappear because they are not “happening” at this very moment in time (at least as badly). There are a lot of Black people who spend their lives worrying about whether they are going to make it home okay. Why? Because this is the reality that has been put in place for them. Their community has experienced horrible things that in some sense, still happen today. In today’s society, Black people have been receiving unfair treatment by the police. For example, a Black man in New York was strangled to death by the police for suspicion of illegally selling cigarettes. While the man was being strangled, he yelled that he could not breath 11 times. Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy was shot dead in Cleveland, by a police officer who claimed he had a weapon that was pointed at him. They later determined that this “weapon” was a toy. Philando Castile was killed while driving with his girlfriend. The police pulled them over and as they were doing their routine check, Philando told them he had a licensed weapon that he carried with him. He was shot and killed as he was reaching for his license. Although these events are not “slavery” per say and these men were free citizens, they were treated like nothing and less superior than they should have been. Therefore, Black people are afraid to leave their homes. This is why many of them experience PTSS today. Maybe not because they themselves have experienced it, but because their community has experienced and witnessed it way to often in historical times as well as recent times.

@Oct 22, 2020 10:29 PM

To be able to understand what PTSS is, I had to really listen to the video posted. I listened to it a couple times. As someone with cPTSD, I can relate to what is being said fully. So yes, I do believe that PTSS is a theory we should still be using in 2020. There were no treatment for Black people, for their children, and so on. Like Dr. Joy Degruy said, it turned into "culture." If you really look into the fact on why some Black people act the way they do and using Social Learning Theory to explain it, these are all learned behaviours going back centuries. The intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism really still continue to this day. Black people are still stigmatized, murdered, and experiencing hate for the colour of their skin every day - and more. So really, nothing has changed since slavery. Nothing magical happened which caused Black people to forget their heritage. Black people should be angry and they should be loud.

@October 23 at 1:08 AM

Hi ___

I just wanted to ask what "If you really look into the fact on why some Black people act the way they do " . I feel that this could easily be taken in a different way so being specific is definitely key. I do agree that there are still things that Black people cannot do. Since slavery there has been change in certain ways but I do understand what you mean, that there has not been as much progress as many people think. This ideology that Black people are free is still something that is questioned til this day. Are we free when there are institutions that push us out everyday?

The thing is with being angry and loud is when the stereotypes of Black people being angry and loud all the time is really recognized. People do not respond to loud. So yes being Black in this society makes us Angry but it also makes us sad, it isolates us. Black people have to be careful, so as much a mothers have to the option to be angry and loud, we need to be careful walking at night with food in our pockets, we need to be cautious walking from shopping marts.

@October 23 at 2:53 PM

Hi ___,

Interesting read! I'd have to agree with you on the fact that this is still happening today, yes we have come a long way but we are no where, not even close as to where we should be today. Keyara also makes some really interesting things, that i didn't even consider! Thanks for sharing both of you!

@October 23 at 4:33 PM

Hi ___,

I enjoyed reading your post! I definitely agree that PTSS can still be used today and it's still being passed down. While a lot has happened in our history there's still more that has to done. The Black community is still suffering and has been for years and it goes unnoticed by many. Do you think there are any ways in which we can stop these behaviours from being passed down?

@Oct 23, 2020 12:09 AM

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome can be defined as a condition that arises when a group has experienced multigenerational trauma resulting from many years of slavery, and they continue to experience oppression and institutionalized racism today (Burrowes, 2019). I believe that this is definitely a theory that we should still be using in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. It allows Black individuals to identify and understand their emotions, and it can generate conversations about important topics like the effects of slavery and racism in our community.

In our society, Black individuals often have their trauma dismissed when people tell them "slavery ended many years ago, get over it". Obviously, it is not that simple. Some individuals do not understand the lasting traumatic effects that slavery may have on a person, and so the experiences of Black people can be belittled. Many might suggest for a Black person to simply go seek therapy, but this generational trauma will certainly take more than a few therapy sessions to be alleviated. Even in Dr. Joy Degruy's video "What is Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome and the Effects", she discusses how when slavery initially happened, there was no therapy offered to those affected to alleviate their mental stress. Post-slavery, there was still no therapy options to help mend the trauma. After a buildup of generational trauma, it is no surprise that a simple therapy session will not fix everything. On top of that, racism exists everywhere, and it can be quite difficult trying to find a therapist who is not racist.

Overall, my point is that there has never been a way to properly identify and address the trauma that Black people experience everyday, but now individuals are able to use the theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome to validate their experiences and emotions. It can be useful to boost this theory so that more people can learn about it, overall leading to more anti-racist allies.

@October 23 at 5:56 PM

Hi ___,

I completely agree with your point, there has never been a way to properly identify and address the trauma Black people experience every day. I believe we as a society need to talk about PTSS more and educating ourselves on the feelings Black people may be experiencing. Before this Unit, I was not aware of PTSS and now that I have learned about it, it has opened my eyes to how Black people are struggling with the trauma of slavery to this day. It is really sad to see how soldiers get help when they return from war (PTSD) but Black people haven't gotten any type of assistance for over 400 years.

It was a great post!

@October 23 at 6:06 PM

Thanks for your response, ___!

I agree with you, before this unit I had never heard of PTSS, nor was I aware of the lack of trauma treatment for Black individuals. The point you made about soldiers is completely true. It almost seems as if our society diminishes the trauma of Black people and focuses on what they think is more important, like the trauma soldiers experience. Interesting how soldiers are given this treatment the moment they return from war, yet like you said, after 400 years of mistreatment, our society has done the bare minimum in assisting Black people with their trauma.

@October 23 at 7:12 PM

Hi ___!

I completely agree with your views! It is true that Black individuals are not provided with proper resources to seek help. Their trauma and racist encounters are often trivialized and even when seeking therapy, there is always a chance of them being gaslighted by their non-Black therapists. I however, took the opposite stance when answering this question. I believe the PTSS theory in a way might have a few racist notions as it is purely based on anecdotal evidence and also generalizes trauma, pinning individual destructive behaviours on a whole community. I also feel as if the PTSS theory alienates them from other racial groups by simply dismissing their trauma as effects from slavery, in a way separating them and their trauma from others.

@Oct 23, 2020 12:11 AM

I believe that PTSS is a valid theory to use it 2020 and beyond because factors of oppression still exist and can trigger people. PTSS was explained in the video “What is Post Traumatic Slave Disorder and the Effects” that we watched presented by Dr. Joy Degtuy as being similar to PTSD in the behaviors expressed and shown. This type of trauma lingers in the Black community today because the threat of being killed, raped or brutally assaulted still exist. The Black community remains a targeted group to this type of violence and when videos or experiences of tragedies like the death of George Floyd, it reveals how dangerous this world is and it traumatizes them in that they could be the person in the online videos and they don’t even have to do anything wrong for this to happen. There are still issues where families witness the police shoot a family member which is devastating and starts the PTSS chain all over again; for others to be oblivious of the apparent fact that these traumatic accounts get passed down over generations and/or experiences that have not been emotionally dealt with and are difficult to overcome because these experiences continue to take place. Due to the experiences inflicted on them, the Black community is still traumatized (from slavery backgrounds) and are very fearful when their sons or daughters go into the world, because the world puts a target on the Black people especially when it revolves around stigmatized subjects such as basketball. As Ibram X. Kendi said in his book “How to be an anti-racist”, he writes “When I first picked up a basketball, at around eight years old, I also picked up on my parents’ fears for my Black body.” (Page 121) The fear in families displaying PTSS behaviors still exist in a smaller degree because the event that rightfully trigger these emotions continue to happen and it’s for reasons that are unpreventable.

@Oct 23, 2020 9:27 AM

I believe PTSS is a theory that continues to apply in 2020. This is because it is a condition passed down from generation to generation. Although slavery has ended, a Black person who has experienced many of the traumatic experiences enslaved people faced in their day to day life, due to their race, may likely develop PTSD. As Dr. Joy Deguy puts it, this condition renders many negative and concerning symptoms which are observed by their children, who make up the next generation. The real danger is kids observe these abnormal behaviours which consist of outbursts of anger along with exaggerated responses and reactions. They pick up these symptoms of PTSD and normalize this behaviour. Hence, this condition and state produced from the trauma of another Black person becomes passed down their generation. The sad reality Dr. Joy Degruy mentions is about how the Black community was not ONCE provided mental health assistance and therapy. Decades after their freedom from slavery, they were never provided with any mental health treatment that was long overdue. No intervention took place to help countless individuals affected by lifelong trauma. Thus, the effects of trauma due to anti-Black racism continue to affect generations after generations, and unfortunately remain within them.

sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHu6rKX4gRc&feature=emb_logo

https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome

@October 23 at 12:10 PM

I also want to add that I absolutely believe that the intergenerational trauma faced by Black people is a real and serious problem, and DeGruy's theory certainly helped to explain and analyze its effects. However, it was critiques I saw of this theory, including one by Dr. Kendi, that led me to the conclusion that isn't the best theory to continue using in 2020. It should not be ignored or forgotten, but simply looked at from a critical perspective.

@October 23 at 4:22 PM

Hi ___,

I would agree that PTSS is a theory that is still applied today. The Black community has suffered for years. PTSD is now being pass down to kids and has been for generations. Nothing has been done to help Black people who have suffered from traumatic events. Having not watched this video I wouldn't have realized that this has been happening for years and that still nothing has been done.

@Oct 23, 2020 11:59 AM

From what I understand and have read, I do not think that PTSS is the best theory for us to be using today. I think that it oversimplifies the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. Like Dr. Kendi says in How to Be an Antiracist, “there is a thin line between an antiracist saying individual Blacks have suffered trauma and a racist saying Blacks are a traumatized people (97). The intergenerational effects of trauma can manifest themselves in completely different ways with varying degrees of severity depending on the person. So, even though using the term PTSS makes it easier to address and understand, it also takes away from the many specific, individual issues caused by anti-Black racism across generations. Overall, I think that while Dr. DeGruy’s PTSS theory may have been a good starting point for recognizing and understanding the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism, it is not the best theory to describe such a complex issue. The theory was an important development, but there might be better ways to approach it moving forward.

@October 23 at 2:49 PM

___ you make some really good points! I would have to agree you after reading your post. It was a good starting point and I do believe that theory is important to keep in mind and but it might be outdated and there are more, like you said updated approaches we could be using and looking at!

@October 23 at 4:03 PM

Hi ___,

Great points made here. I agree that PTSS is a good starting point, but like you said trauma is so complex and it goes beyond just one thing.

@Oct 23, 2020 12:02 PM

I believe that the term Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome should be acknowledged and talked about in 2020 to be able to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. The reason why I believe this is because of the trauma that African Americans go through as a result of the centuries of slavery that they endured is still present and passed down from the generations after slavery was abolished, due to not getting the proper help they needed to let go of the trauma they went through during slavery.

@October 23 at 2:40 PM

You are right with them not getting the proper help they need. It's extremely sad to think about if the resources were out there and their for them how much that could have helped, but unfortunately this is not the case.

@Oct 23, 2020 4:00 PM

I think PTSS is a valid theory that can help people to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. On the other hand, the theory can also be interpreted as racist as it highlights that there is something wrong about Black people and could be used as a label. The extent of trauma experienced by Black people due to centuries of oppression and violence, is complex and deep. I think it is incredibly important to recognize the ways in which Black people are still suffering today due to historical injustices that continue to inflict harm today. The mental health of Black peoples is something that needs to be acknowledged and there needs to be more supports and resources available to them.

@Oct 23, 2020 4:08 PM

I believe that PTSS is a theory that we should still be using to understand the intergenerational effects of Anti-Black racism. However, this isn't to say that there aren't other valuable theories and perspectives that can be applied. Watching Dr. Joy Degruy’s video, I really grasped her points on how generations of trauma with no intervention continue to affect Black people. The white fragility that inflicted cultural trauma and pain to Black people greatly impacted their psyche. As Dr. Degruy mentioned, mental health assistance wasn’t an option before or after slavery. Even after slavery was abolished, trauma continued, and as we saw in Hasan Minhaj’s video, the trauma hasn’t come to an end.

Dr. Kendi discusses traumatic police brutality that occurred in the 1990s. Hasan reviewed twenty-five recent deaths of Black people, who were murdered for doing everyday tasks like shopping, running, and walking out of their homes. Dr. Degruy stated that the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder included a sense of a shortened future, exaggerated startle responses, trouble sleeping, anger outbursts, and hypervigilance.

When George Floyd was killed, I recall watching a youtube video on Black parents who sat with their children to discuss police brutality, and how to stay alive. I can personally say that as a white individual, my parents have never had to review these things with me. In fact, growing up, I was told that the police were trustworthy, it’s their job to protect all people. Since then, my views have changed. The children in the video became extremely emotional, claiming that they didn’t want to die. I can only imagine that a conversation such as that one would result in trouble sleeping, fearing a shortened life span, and anger outbursts of frustration with society.

Dr. Degruy mentions the social learning theory which makes it clear why this theory would still be prevalent in today’s world. Generation after generation, Black youth are learning from the resilience of their elders on how to take care of themselves. They’re seeing trauma in the media, viewing other Black people die for doing nothing wrong.

Beyond 2020, I still think this theory will be relevant. As Hasan said in his video, it’s crucial we donate our money and time to create much-needed change. However, there is still a long way to go, and I feel that it will be later generations who begin to see significant changes.

@October 23 at 9:10 PM

I appreciate your connection to the conversations Black parents have to have with their children. I think, for myself included, a lot of people think of these talks as somewhat of a new phenomenon. I can only imagine the kinds of conversations that were going on while people were still enslaved. These talks are a symptom of the trauma that can be connected to being enslaved or even to the Africans still in Africa fearing the "white cannibals."

@October 23 at 10:29 PM

I completely agree with you. It's so unfortunate that conversations like these have continued through generations. It goes to show how relevant the PTSS theory still is, in explaining the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism.

@October 23 at 10:38 PM

Hi ___! When you connected PTSS to the video you watched on Black parents having to sit down with their kids and talk about survival, it really gave me a new perspective on the reality of the crazy injustice that the Black community has the face. Thank you for using this connection!

@Oct 23, 2020 5:35 PM

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome describes as a condition that exists when a population has experienced multigenerational trauma resulting from centuries of slavery and continues to experience oppression and institutionalized racism today. I think that PTSS theory helps understand that this cannot simply be treated clinically but rather also requires a profound social change in individuals and institutions that continue to reify unequaled and injustice. But as Dr. Kendi mentions, "there is a thin line between an anti-racist saying individual Blacks have suffered trauma and a racist saying Blacks are a traumatized people. There is similarly a thin line between antiracist saying slavery was debilitating and a racist saying Blacks are debilitated people." this makes us question whether the theory should still be used moving forward.

@October 23 at 9:41 PM

Hey,

I like how you incorporated a quote by Dr. Kendi! It really shows that language matters, especially when discussing topics such as slavery.

@October 23 at 9:54 PM

I totally agree that mental health help should go hand in hand with profound social change because without social change, the trauma would keep happening and Black people would have a harder time healing. We have to start dismantling the system that is white supremacy while also giving out those mental health resources to treat PTSS.

___

@Oct 23, 2020 5:46 PM

I believe that we should be using PTSS in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. PTSS is something Black people have gone through for centuries now. When a soldier returns from war, they are thought to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and they get assistance for it. So when slavery was abolished, Black people went through Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome but they were never given the assistance and to this day they are not given the assistance to combat PTSS. If someone is traumatized by something, they are going to act and think a certain way, and that is going to influence the people around them. So for centuries now Black people have been going through PTSS and it has trickled down to Black people today. As Dr. Joy Degruy said in her video, sociology proves that when someone is going through something, their actions and mentality affects the people around them.

I have heard many white people say to Black people, "you weren't even around when slavery was a thing". What those people fail to understand is that the trauma has carried through many generations and Black people today are affected by what happened to their ancestors. I believe that PTSS is a theory that we should be still be using in 2020 and beyond 2020, many people fail to realize the lack of assistance Black people have gotten over the years regarding their mental health. PTSS is something we need to talk about more often and acknowledge the reality of it.

@October 23 at 9:37 PM

Hey ___,

I really like the points you made! I agree PTSS should definitely be a theory we use right now and in the future. I really like how you brought up the remarks that white people make when addressing the topic of slavery - it really puts things into perspective. The people who make such statements were also never around during those times. It really does break my heart to learn that events which took place hundreds of years ago can really affect those around us.

@Oct 23, 2020 6:08 PM

I think PTSS is a bit of a breakthrough theory in the sense that it’s a diagnosis very specific to a minority. It should be used in 2020 with room and resources for growth. This theory is looking directly at the particularly horrific set of circumstances Black people face. I’ve never heard anyone consider the effect of being enslaved on that person’s mental health and psychological well-being. Even in the case of generational trauma, I’ve only heard that used towards indigenous groups about residential schools. I think we should be using this theory to make the generational trauma a solid, seeable, and talked about thing. Use this as a driving force to pour more money into mental health resources for Black youth and communities. Our society likes diagnoses, understandable, graspable, checklist-type things, this theory has that ability to have traction. It’s a useful theory that should be investigated and explored more, branched out, and have action brought to. This theory seems bluntly, logically, true. I don’t understand how this isn’t talked about more. Generation upon generation of trauma carried through families and constantly present in our society, entire institutions are triggers. It should be used to understand this unique generational trauma. Tracing this trauma from the starting point of slavery onwards while accounting for other collective and individual traumas, has the power to expose an entirely different understanding and approach to mental health for Black people. The impact of discrimination, minority stress, and microaggressions aren’t given the credit and attention they deserve. But of course, lack of concern and healthcare is part of discrimination. I think this theory should be used to create an entire field of research and practice focused on minorities. This brings a different light onto George Floyd for me, with this theory applied, it makes George Floyd more than an upsetting video as white people view it. It’s a viral video that’s personal and triggering generations of horrific murders. The reaction and impact seeing that, and other similar murders, would have an affect so far out of my comprehension I can’t even begin to try to understand. I think this theory needs to be explored, expanded, and acted upon.

@October 23 at 9:46 PM

Hi ___,

I stand with everything you said. I really like how you explained how this theory shed a different light onto George Floyd for you. I have been thinking about that as well and reflecting on many different injustices similar injustices to that one. I agree with you that this theory needs to explored, expanded and acted upon 100%. We need to see a transformation in society and it requires a great amount of people everywhere to act on this.

@Oct 23, 2020 7:04 PM

According to Dr. Joy DeGruy, PTSS is a theory that deconstructs the "etiology of many of the adaptive survival behaviours in African American communities throughout the United States and the diaspora." It aims to explain generational trauma initially caused by the oppression and enslavement of Black individuals in North America. Furthermore, it is difficult for American Americans to seek out help for their mental health, as therapy is a privilege, and there is a high chance of them being gaslighted by their respective therapists.
DeGruy argues that dysfunctional and negative behaviours such as lack of parenting, outbursts of anger "are in large part related to trans-generational adaptations associated with the past traumas of slavery and on-going oppression."
Initially, I believed PTSS to be an entirely rational theory because no one can deny the atrocities and horrors the Black community has been through. However, after researching and taking a look at Dr. Ibram Kendi's work, I believe that the well-intentioned theory might be somewhat outdated and have a few racist notions.
According to Dr. Kendi's research, PTSS theorists rely on anecdotal evidence. Adding on to that, it targets negative behaviours and pins it onto Black individuals and trauma, thus perpetuating the negative stereotypes that tail the community. It feeds the racist idea that something is wrong with the Black community, which is scarily similar to the nineteenth-century views on how Black individuals needed to be civilized. The PTSS theory, in a way, generalizes the behaviour of the Black community by concentrating on the individual negative behaviours.

@Oct 23, 2020 7:58 PM

I do think that PTSS should still be used in 2020 and beyond to understand the lasting effects of anti-black racism. I personally didn’t even know that this was an established theory until we started this module. I tried to look up PTSS to gain further insight, but I found little to no information. This goes to show how little information there is about the effects that anti-Black racism has. Because of this, I feel that we should not only continue its use but also speak up about it and its findings. We need to inform more people of the very real and lasting consequences that it has. It’s important that we learn and educate others about the past and how it impacts our future. I also think that it’s extremely important to recognize that shared trauma is a thing. Like Dr. Joy Degruy mentioned, you do not have to experience the traumas of slavery firsthand to feel its effects and suffer from them. I thought that this also related to the recent uprising and fight against anti-Black racism. With graphic media coverage of the horrific and vile ways that other Black people are being treated in our own backyards, it has become a shared trauma within the Black community. We may not have experienced these “events” personally, but we feel the pain. Black individuals take up a disproportionately large percentage of people suffering from mental health issues. This is largely due to the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. I think that if more research is done on PTSS we will finally have a chance at helping those that are suffering.

@October 23 at 8:13 PM

I totally had the same experience with you in terms of research!
When I tried to look into PTSS a little more, there was little to nothing on the topic, and this really pushed home how important it is that we continue to look for these effects.
Thanks for the post! I really enjoyed reading your insights

@October 23 at 9:44 PM

Hey, I am in the same boat as you guys! I tried researching PTSS and Google kept asking me if I meant to search up PTSD. At that point, I was worried if I was searching for the right thing.

This goes to show that we must really start educating everyone that we can. I believe that the PTSS theory is an important topic that should be taught in mandatory high school courses such as Grade 10 History. I can admit that since this module, I am now more aware and more educated on this topic. I hope we can all educated at least one person on this theory!

@October 23 at 9:56 PM

Hey ___,

Its really is wild. I completely agree with you and I like how you mentioned that it should be taught in high schools. That would definitely help bring attention to this topic and hopefully inspire others to take action.

@October 23 at 9:52 PM

Hey ___,

Thanks for your feedback! It's crazy just how little there is to find about this topic. Especially when you consider its importance.

@Oct 23, 2020 8:11 PM

I believe that PTSS is still a viable theory in order to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism.
In my opinion the only time that this wouldn't be a viable theory is when the impacts of slavery have completely been erased from our society. This is a herculean task to take on, as the impacts of slavery are written into the laws that founded our countries. They are written into the DNA of the families who's ancestors were enslaved. The impacts of slavery are reaching their tendrils into the upbringings of Black children and until those impacts are stopped the theory of PTSS will still be valid.

@Oct 23, 2020 8:15 PM

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome theory is something we should still look at in 2020. We should first understand what Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is trauma caused by all the years of slavery, and even after slavery was abolished, Blacks were still traumatized and did not get any help. These now freed Blacks did not get the help they should of causes many side effects. Many young Black people felt like they were not going to live long, had startled responses, outbursts of anger, and difficulty sleeping. The previous sentence includes all of the symptoms Black people get from Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. If Blacks were provided with therapists for their mental health after all the trauma they have gone through; then the trauma would not have affected generations after generations. This trauma has caused people to see Blacks culture as aggressive and dangerous when it is not. The Intergenerational effect of anti-Black racism is understood through the Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome theory. How is this understanding achieved? Well, let us go back to how Blacks went through slavery trauma for generations after each other. Only after an insane amount of generations later did slavery get abolished. However, even though that took place, no one gave Black people mental health help. Even after they got Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, they were still not treated, which went on for generations. This shows the discrimination Black people received even after slavery was abolished. Therefore, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is something we should keep an eye on because, to this day, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a trauma that has been carried over for generations. By keeping an eye on Black people, I mean providing Black people with the therapists they need mental heath so that it cannot pass down Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome to the next generation.

@Oct 23, 2020 9:02 PM

I think we should definitely use the PTSS theory to understand the effects of anti-Black racism. Growing up, with family members who served in both world wars, I’ve heard of the intergenerational effects of that trauma. Husbands abusing wives, sons becoming alcoholics trying to forget their father hurting their mother, daughters never trusting men because of their father's alcoholism. And have seen habits that are passed down, like storing up on essentials like flour and sugar. The untreated trauma from war is immense and affects all aspects of the soldier's life. The idea of passing down intergenerational is not new. It has not been used to understand African American trauma because of racist ideas of a tougher, less emotional Black body. For White people to admit that they enslaved humans capable of the same emotional depths as they are would be to admit the evilness of what occurred. The first step in any recovery process is to admit that there was a problem. The PTSS helps move forward the healing process in America. When treating a patient doctors might try to relieve the symptoms but without treating the cause of the symptoms the patient won’t recover. America, and the wider world, try to treat the symptoms of PTSS instead of acknowledging the causes. Understanding the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism is the only way to overcome the issues that are still facing Black people around the world.

@Oct 23, 2020 9:30 PM

I believe that PTSS is a theory that we should be using in 2020 and in future generations. Dr. Joy Degruy goes into detail about what it is like to be directly and indirectly diagnosed with Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. Until now, I have never heard of PTSS and I am sure many of you have not either. I think this is such an important topic to discuss and educate ourselves and others on. We learn about history in highschool but it is only focused on White people and we do not learn about the history of people of colour. We need to start educating our current and future generations about the unfortunate events that took place hundreds of years ago because if we do not, we will never learn from our mistakes. While some may say that “the past is the past”, historical events will always end up repeating itself which we can see happening in our generation right now. Dr. Degruy asserts that there was no therapy treatment, or any treatment provided, during and after slavery ended. You do not need to be directly diagnosed with PTSS in order to show symptoms. Symptoms include feeling over shortened future, outbursts of behaviour, trouble sleeping, and many more. In modern society, those who are diagnosed with a mental illness or experience trauma are most times provided with treatment such as therapy and medication. Dr. Degruy states that people who were enslaved have done everything alone and have not received any help from anyone - even to this day. This upsets me a lot because it should not be a luxury to be provided with help. Everyone and anyone should have access to treatment when they experience any type of trauma. Enslaved trauma is carried on for generations. Referring to the example given by Dr. Degruy, a mother may be the one who experienced trauma but her kids will grow up learning and adopting her symptoms. While her kids are indirectly affected, they will grow up to learn that the symptoms their mother shows is the norm. The kids will then start displaying those symptoms such as having outbursts of behaviour, onto their own kids, and so on and so on. If the mother received treatment at any time in her life, the possibilities of her future family experiencing the same trauma will be decreased.

@Oct 23, 2020 9:37 PM

I strongly believe that we should be using Dr. Joy DeGruy’s theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome in 2020 and forever on to understand the truth of these intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. It would allow non-Black people to get only a glimpse of how anti-Black racism has affected Black people through hundreds of years of trauma as Dr. DeGruy states.

In one of her talks on this theory, she goes on to explain after these centuries of trauma, there was no treatment such as mental heath assistance. Even after many racist policies were abolished like slavery, those that were then free didn’t receive any assistance, but the reality was that racism continued and was still very much constructed in the social systems where they were constantly discriminated against on top of the trauma they are carrying. Since the rise of the BLM movement, we all have seen posts saying we can support the movement by educating ourselves and I believe this theory is one way someone can start to educate themselves in order to gain a great amount of social change at the individual level and leading to the level of society as a whole. This will require a keen and genuine effort. In “How to be an Antiracist”, Dr. Kendi speaks on Dr. Degruy and her 12 years worth of research for PTSS saying, “DeGruy is a hero for ushering the constructs of trauma, damage, and healing into our understanding of Black life.”(pg 205.)

@October 23 at 9:57 PM

I definitely agree that this theory can be used as a way to educate ourselves on how racism affects Black people. It's rare that people talk about the indirect repercussions of centuries of trauma but I feel like it's one of the most important and dangerous effects of racism. People don't really understand just how important mental health truly is.

___

@October 23 at 10:23 PM

You're right! When the BLM movement began, every social media platform was filled with different ways of educating ourselves, our friends, families, etc. Interestingly enough, this theory was introduced as a new concept to me only recently. I agree with you that PTSS would do an effective job of educating people on understanding the effects of anti-Black racism. As you said, a keen and genuine effort for social change is so important!

@October 23 at 11:10 PM

Hi ___,

I definately agree with you in regards to how much of an issue it was that Black people weren't provided with the assistance that they required. It's crazy to think about as if you compare slavery to the holocaust in terms of how they were remedied, surviours of the holocaust were able to receive the proper rehabilitation as well as treatments to ease the effects of the traumas they faced.

@October 23 at 11:27 PM

Thank you for bringing up that example. It's insane to think how at such a young and impressionable age, many of us were taught about the holocaust and how much we were taught about it when hardly anything about the centuries worth of injustices Black people have faced has been taught.

@Oct 23, 2020 9:49 PM

I don't think this theory should be used to understand the intergenerational effects of Anti-Black racism because it only breeds anger, violence and internalized hate. In order to understand these intergenerational effects, other methods can be used. Instead of promoting these negative emotions, we should be educating while at the same healing from these effects. Although easier than done, if society works together to create a social change to remove the systemic racism that is implemented throughout our society, one day we may be able to heal. We should never forget but we should also never give in to the anger and violence that is associated with PTSS.

@October 23 at 10:47 PM

Hi ___,

I found your discussion post interesting to read. Personally, I believe that the feelings anger you describe are righteous and inevitable. I actually believe that PTSS should be used as it allows for the recognition of intergenerational trauma that persists today. I realize this is not the same circumstance, however, in my own experience, I found great relief when diagnosed with my own illness - not only in my personal healing and seeking support, but in how others respected or acknowledged my suffering. I believe that the theory of PTSS does just this. I think that it's powerful in its acknowledgment of history and relevant in its healing of communities as a whole. All in all, I really enjoyed reading another perspective and broadening my understanding of these issues!

@October 23 at 11:01 PM

Hello ___,

I do see your point here but I also believe that these "negative emotions" are in dire need of being overcome and the only way to do that is by discussing the deeply-rooted issues as it is a part of the healing process and will allow these individuals to properly heal from the trauma.

@October 23 at 11:14 PM

Hi ___,

I do understand your point of view but I believe, in my opinion, we need to learn the history of what Black people have been through in order to understand the theory. More importantly, I believe that understanding the history is a crucial part of the healing process. Black or white or anything in between, we all need to understand the history and the affects of history that it has on Black people (such as PTSS), in order for us all to stand in solidarity to bring about equality and justice for Black people. Just because we are personally not affected by their situation, it doesn't mean that it is okay, and it doesn't open a door for ignorance. Yet again, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

@Oct 23, 2020 9:50 PM

I think PTSS is a theory that we should still be using in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism because Black people are still going through trauma due to systematic racism every day. White supremacist systems and hate crimes are alive and well, and if we want to dismantle white supremacy and the effects it still has on the minds of Black people, PTSS is vital to understanding it. Racism still affects the mental health of Black people across the world, even if they never experience discrimination in their lifetime, the trauma is still there from previous generations. Furthermore, if we want to compensate Black people for the years of trauma, giving them effective mental health resources is a way to start.

@October 23 at 11:06 PM

Hi ___,

I totally agree with your statement, we need to provide Black people the resources they need in order for them to heal from their trauma that they have been dealing with for centuries. Using the P.T.S.S theory will also bring awareness in society of what they have been through and the way they are still being oppressed because of white power and systemic racism.

@Oct 23, 2020 10:37 PM

I definitely believe that PTSS is a theory that should continue to be used in 2020 and beyond in order to better understand and describe the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, developed by Dr. Joy DeGruy, is a condition in which centuries of slavery followed by institutional racism and oppression result in multigenerational trauma. Trauma describes adaptive behaviours that, can at times reflect resilience, but are ultimately destructive and cause harm.

The reason why I believe that this theory remains extremely relevant today and will continue to be used is due to the fact that Black people have not yet received their "reconciliation" but instead continue to endure ongoing plights of racism. Dr. Joy DeGruy describes how PTSD patients are typically treated with various therapies, support, and at bare minimum - an acknowledgment. However, if we consider the traumatic stresses of those enslaved Black communities who's offspring continue to face systemic oppression, we recognize that no supportive measures have been given and, instead, the injustices persist. This indicates that a whole race has, for generations, been subjected to abuse via inhumane rights and treatment. Surely, such systemic, continuous cruelty results in intergenerational trauma that can be traced back to the first instances of slavery. My reasoning, then, is that PTSS will continue to be relevant until we abolish white supremacy and achieve equitable life.

@Oct 23, 2020 10:54 PM

I believe that this theory should still be put to use as it thoroughly explains the social, emotional and physical toll that institutionalized oppression took on African Americans which contributes to the trauma felt then and which is still felt by many today. When it comes to discussing these deeply rooted issues which are embedded in the African/African -American community, there seems to be so much resistance especially from those who find themselves unable to relate to these issues or who feel “naked” in a sense as everyone’s role in slavery is uncovered and thus makes the oppressors and the oppressed uncomfortable as the oppressors reflect on how the treated the slaves and paved way for their susceptibility to the traumas in addition to how the slaves reflect on the trauma’s themselves and how badly they were affected by them. As we are now in 2020, I believe that it should be modified to some degree( as these traumas are still present in the lives of the ancestors of the slaves) so that it may also explain how one should heal from them by means of taking the theory further and developing ways to aid the individuals who have suffered and are still suffering in hopes that one day these traumas can be alleviated and furthermore abolished so that Black people everywhere may reside in a society where they can feel properly accepted, considered and can contribute to society at their maximum capacity.

@Oct 23, 2020 10:54 PM

Yes we should be using the PTSS theory in 2020 and beyond to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism. This condition exists because Black people have been oppressed for centuries since whites used them as personal property/slaves. This behaviour and power from whites have transformed into racism in systemic/institutionalized systems, which has led to inequity, social problems and injustice that consistently impacts the Black community. As a society we need to openly talk and have discussions about how salvery has caused intergenerational trauma. Talking about it and providing resources to the Black community is one step to help them to heal and gain strength from all the pain they have endured and dealt with in the past. Thus, using the P.T.S.S theory will enable individuals to be acknowledged and have awareness on this issue that impacted Black people’s lives.

@Oct 23, 2020 11:00 PM

In short Yes. Many arguments against PTSS claim that we have evolved from the trauma/ mentality in association with this syndrome, the we as Black society are indifferent to the intergenerational effects correlated to PTSS but that is not entirely accurate.That’s as if to say saying PTSD is invalidated because there were cases where soldiers from war were able to integrate back into society unaffected or who became successful people. The success of those soldiers does not negate trauma they may still experience due to their PTSD in the same manner, a modern day successful Black person is not automatically unaffected by the racially motivated repercussions that are integrated in instances of PTSS. Dr Kendi makes reference to Degruy’s Theory in an essay titled"Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is A Racist Idea", it discusses his stance on PTSS. He concludes his take on the theory by stating“Black people do not need to be ‘healed’ from racist trauma – All Black people need is to be ‘freed’ from racist trauma.” I disagree, I don't believe it’s as Black & White as he’s depicting it as. The idea of PTSS shouldn't be disregarded of completely but perhaps redefined to suit more modern terms As shown in the video and in her works discussing PTSS, Dr. DeGruy elaborates that its not solely a disorder that can be easily cured/remedied clinically but in turn relies on social changes to be altered in individuals and society as a whole. To summarize yes, I do believe that some aspects of the PTSS syndrome are still widely applicable when discussing and analyzing intergenerational effects, as Rapper Joyner Lucas once stated in his song “I’m not Racist”, “... and even if I wasn't picking cotton physically//That dont mean I wasn't affected by the history// My grandmama was a slave that sh*t gets to me..”. This is just one of many examples of how many of the challenges our ancestors faced are still reflected onto us in modern society, in different ways.

sources: https://www.aaihs.org/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome-is-a-racist-idea/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43gm3CJePn0

@Oct 23, 2020 11:01 PM

Post Traumatic Slavery Syndrome should still be used in 2020 to understand intergenerational trauma. It should be taught as a fact and not only a theory, as indigenous peoples have also suffered trauma due to colonization and residential schools. I will never understand the trauma Black people face due to enslavement and discrimination but I have an idea about generational trauma as a first nations person. Historically, African Americans were mistreated at the hands of the medical profession, including being used as test subjects. Treatments have been based upon the belief that Black people are strong and do not need health care, or that Black people have higher rates of schizophrenia than white people or other ethnicities, which may prevent them from receiving the care/ therapy they may have needed to heal from trauma. According to Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome "P.T.S.S is not a disorder that can simply be treated and remedied clinically but rather also requires profound social change in individuals, as well as in institutions that continue to reify inequality and injustice toward the descendants of enslaved Africans".

@October 23 at 11:16 PM

Hey ___,

I love your take on this theory and I also believe that it should be something that one is educated on and not just a theory so that others can take from it, learn from it and apply it to their lives.

@Oct 23, 2020 11:12 PM

PTSS stands for post-traumatic slave disorder, a term coined by internationally renowned researcher Joy DeGruy, Ph.D., to describe the multigenerational trauma and injustices experienced by African Americans from the dawn of slavery to the recent deaths of Black citizens at the hands of police. I think PTSS is a theory that should still be used in 2020 as racism, segregation, racial profiling are all relevant today. The term describes the continued struggles black people are going through, although slavery may be abolished there is a new set of problems to tackle. I think the term resonates will black people around the world as there is this sense of community when we all experience the same things.

@Oct 23, 2020 11:28 PM

I understand why some people might think that the Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a theory that can be used in the current day and age to understand the intergenerational effects of anti-Black racism however, I don't think that we should use it solely. This theory means that those that were in slavery ultimately suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and did so without being treated for it. Now the effects of this would carry onto their children for generations and some people may say that this is the reason the 'Black culture' is the way it is. I think post traumatic slave syndrome might play a small part in the culture they live in today but I don't think that it should be the only factor that caused this outcome. The prejudice that Black people experienced from the time of slavery until today has, I think, been the biggest factor in creating the culture they live in. They have been neglected by society causing them to turn to unhealthy lifestyles. Overall, I think we can keep in mind the 'PTSD' they went through when explaining their 'culture' but I don't think it should be the only factor we consider as there are so many other factors.