This week, I finished Dr. Joy Degruy’s book Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. I attended an education conference in early December where Dr. Degruy was the opening speaker. During her opening presentation, she explained how Black people are still coping with the traumas from slavery which she termed post traumatic slave syndrome. It was something that I had not previously considered but is now something that needs to be understood by all Black people and other people of color who have a tumultuous history.
What is Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome?
The term Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome implies that Black people in America (and applicable to others around the globe) experience generational trauma as a result of chattel slavery. Consider the ways in which we downplay our own accomplishments or the accomplishments of others. Dr. Degruy argues that this action has a direct relation to slavery. Slaves would not want to praise the efforts of their children or themselves as a way to avoid being sold to other slave owners or to break up their families. It was a tactic employed to keep families together. This rhetoric has been passed down and is a common occurrence amongst Black people today. Dr. Degruy argues that PTSS is apparent through our vacant esteem, racist socialization, and ever-present anger. I would suggest you read the book to truly understand what this means but, in simple terms, Black people have been conditioned to believe that we are inferior which diminishes our self-value leaving a sense of frustration presented as anger. Deep right?!
The best chapter of the book is the last chapter titled “Healing”. The book offers practical advice on how we, as a race, have to acknowledge and work through the generational trauma of slavery. Dr. Degruy acknowledges this is centuries of trauma which can also take centuries to repair however she suggests that family is important and worth fighting for. Ultimately we, as a people, have to do the inner work before we can demand institutional change.
Prior to reading this book, I had the most common understanding that how we navigate through the world is a direct relation to slavery. I had not previously considered the ways that some of our most basic mannerisms, such as redirecting a compliment, is a direct result of slavery. After reading this book, I have a stronger sense of caring and supporting Black people under any circumstances. I recently had a “conversation” on Twitter about the IG account, THESHADEROOM. While I don’t care about the account that much, what I am not going to do is to downplay a platform that is made by Black people for Black people. Why? Because we have been conditioned for centuries to demean our own as a way to uplift oneself. In no way do I want to continue the cycle. Naturally, I am always going to talk my mess and be critical but it will come from a place of love and support.
The greatest takeaway I had from this book is that you have to do the inner work long before you can do anything else. Think about when you’re on a plane and the emergency spill is happening where you have to help yourself before you can help anyone else. This same logic applies to being a Black person in America. It is important to be secure in yourself. It will take many years to enact institutional change but if we work within we can make great strides that will positively influence generations to come.
