Racism and my mental health
The purpose of this blog is to discuss mental health issues. Discussing the current state of race relations in the USA may seem unrelated to mental health, but it is definitely an issue affecting my mental health. The protests, riots, discussions and reactions have left me feeling depressed and very anxious about the future of the USA.
I keep asking how it is possible for fear and hatred of a person’s skin color to exist in the modern world. How is it possible that thousands upon thousands of Americans have begun their lives in the care of black women—nurses, nannies, babysitters—yet so many of us remain silent (or worse) as black women and their families lose their lives to poverty, disease and murder. How is it possible that thousands upon thousands of Americans have entrusted the care of their frail and aging parents to black caregivers, yet fail to protect the families of those black women?
Black women usher us into this life and out of it, yet thousands of Americans fail to offer them the respect, dignity and security they deserve and are entitled to. We trust them to care for our babies, parents, and grandparents but fail to pay them a living wage to do so. They are, indeed essential workers who must be recognized for the critical role they play in American society.
Black women labor to keep our babies safe, to keep our old people comfortable, to keep our homes livable. Meanwhile legions of black men fight our fires, protect our streets, drive our buses, deliver our packages and mail. Yet these essential men are murdered in the streets.
I am saddened and depressed over the senseless loss of life. I am anxious because it’s hard to know what I can do to help. I know what I plan to do and I entreat others to join me:
• Listen to what members of the black community say they need. Speak to anyone you can reach who can help accomplish those things.
• Speak up and out against anyone who promotes bigotry—even in jokes
• Advocate in your community for a policy against excessive of force by police, for the mandatory use of body cameras when police accost citizens, and for independent review boards comprised of police and citizens from diverse backgrounds
• Work to ensure that black and other minority educators are included in the staff of schools that minority children attend.
• Donate to groups that are working to ensure voting rights for black citizens.
• Become active in groups that lobby for racial justice.
Let’s start right now:
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
I keep asking how it is possible for fear and hatred of a person’s skin color to exist in the modern world. How is it possible that thousands upon thousands of Americans have begun their lives in the care of black women—nurses, nannies, babysitters—yet so many of us remain silent (or worse) as black women and their families lose their lives to poverty, disease and murder. How is it possible that thousands upon thousands of Americans have entrusted the care of their frail and aging parents to black caregivers, yet fail to protect the families of those black women?
Black women usher us into this life and out of it, yet thousands of Americans fail to offer them the respect, dignity and security they deserve and are entitled to. We trust them to care for our babies, parents, and grandparents but fail to pay them a living wage to do so. They are, indeed essential workers who must be recognized for the critical role they play in American society.
Black women labor to keep our babies safe, to keep our old people comfortable, to keep our homes livable. Meanwhile legions of black men fight our fires, protect our streets, drive our buses, deliver our packages and mail. Yet these essential men are murdered in the streets.
I am saddened and depressed over the senseless loss of life. I am anxious because it’s hard to know what I can do to help. I know what I plan to do and I entreat others to join me:
• Listen to what members of the black community say they need. Speak to anyone you can reach who can help accomplish those things.
• Speak up and out against anyone who promotes bigotry—even in jokes
• Advocate in your community for a policy against excessive of force by police, for the mandatory use of body cameras when police accost citizens, and for independent review boards comprised of police and citizens from diverse backgrounds
• Work to ensure that black and other minority educators are included in the staff of schools that minority children attend.
• Donate to groups that are working to ensure voting rights for black citizens.
• Become active in groups that lobby for racial justice.
Let’s start right now:
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
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message 1:
by
Rina
(new)
Jun 05, 2020 02:20PM
If I could write, this is exactly what I would say. I grew up with a black "housekeeper". We loved her. And even met and got to know two of her brothers a bit. I can relate to your second and third lines. I don't understand how we didn't get better at race relations than we have. Don't understand it at all. And agree with all the rest of your statements. Going to print it and use it as a handout! Love you.
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Well said Linda. So sad how little progress has been made over the years. Can't believe we are discussing the same damn issues that were brought up by Martin Luther King...hope we will see some progress in our lifetime.
Right now, I am optimistic because of the demonstrations taking place all around the country. The NFL even reversed its position on "take a knee"
I agree with everything you said, Linda. But let's not forget Black doctors, lawyers and politicians (e.g. Ben Carson) who overcame racism and poverty to take their rightful place in American society. Not all Blacks are in the working class jobs you mentioned. My psychiatrist is Black. Thank you.
It is absolutely true that there are numerous professional and successful Black people. I am very sorry if the post made it seem that I wasn't aware of that. I guess because of the virus situation, I was too focused on essential workers, particularly care-givers
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