Racial discrimination becomes traumatic

[The Straight Story]

Racial discrimination becomes traumatic

Posted: June 20, 2005
by: David Melmer / Indian Country Today
WASHINGTON - American Indians who have experienced racial discrimination and harassment but are denied justice in the court system may soon be able to claim they are traumatized by the effects of racism.

Racial harassment and discrimination may lead to trauma similar to post traumatic stress disorder.

Proving racial discrimination or harassment is difficult. ''Racism has been an integral part of our history. Racial harassment and discrimination are legally sanctioned,'' said Robert T. Carter, Ph.D., a professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Carter was chosen to conduct a survey on the psychological effects of racism.

''Do people experience racial discrimination as trauma? If so, what is their redress?

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411104

[ananda]

1. ermm

Racial discrimination has -always- been traumatic and always will be.

Sue

[Vyan]

2. Agreed - n/t

[The Straight Story]

3. I think they are working on things in a legal sense:

What does all of this mean? It could change the way the legal system and mental health system looks at people who have suffered from racial discrimination or harassment. The outcome could eventually change the way society deals with racial differences, much like with gender.

''Lawyers today don't think of mental health injury as a viable area to litigate. What they focus on is a violation of legal rights and don't contend that people have the right to be free of emotional stress. I argue that the stress is injurious and can cause psychological distress.

[sui generis]

4. I would add to that

discrimination for any reason you are unable to change is traumatic. Being fired for being fat or female or gay or crippled is as traumatic as it is for being black or native American or Mexican.

Crippled Black Mexican Zaftig Lesbians = quadruple trauma!

Seriously, all discrimination is traumatic - whether we like it or not some part of our self-esteem is injured when our fellow humans treat us as "lesser" just because of who we are.

[Village Idiot]

5. ''Do people experience racial discrimination as trauma?"

If anyone ever wants to read a true, touching and profoundly tragic account of this EXACT PHENOMENON, read Farley Mowat's "People of the Deer."

"Sixty years ago, the Ihalmiut numbered 7,000. When Farely Mowat visited them, their population had dwindled to forty. For two years, Mowat shared their hard life--the bleak winters, the shortages of food, the fervent struggle to withstand the intrusion of white men--and came to understand them. Here, Farely Mowat indicts those who have abused the Ihalmiut. But, foremost, he pays tribute to the last of the People of the Deer--the proud, valiant Eskimos, desperately trying to survive."

To be absolutely honest, I broke down quite a few times while reading this paperback, as I am sure Mowat did while witnessing events contained therein...

[Karenina]

6. It is traumatic, destructive

and ever-present. Ever wonder about the stats for blacks and blood-pressure? (Don't gimme that diet shit til you check your own Speisekammer).

There IS NO REDRESS. One deals with it, or not.