Black Brains are Wired Differently?
Happy Black History Month all!
Did you know “Black children are both more likely to face adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and to see lower volumes of gray matter in certain parts of the brain, with possible impacts on mental health”? That is an unfortunate reality. In fact, Black children are more predisposed than White children to suffer from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I recently trained to become a trainer for a program designed around the ACEs study. Recent findings by researchers have shown that Black youth are impacted by “toxic stress” as a result of poverty and other adversity at a higher rate than White youth. I have a psychology background, educationally and professionally, so I had a pretty decent familiarity with the concept of ACEs and how these adverse experiences can continue to affect the outcomes for individuals during adulthood. But as a mother, it is a devastating reality. Some of the life factors that I hope to shield my child from, are likely directly impacting her. Being a single mother, I am likely pushing a level of independence on her that can be a blessing and a curse. I try my hardest not to be too stoic. I want her to be comfortable showing emotion, feelings, and receiving healthy affection. But, based on my own upbringing and some adversely traumatic experiences, I struggle. In fact, research has shown that the brains of the Black population tend to age at a faster rate than that of the White population.
I don’t know why I am so prone to doomscrolling. I think I have watched so many police body cam videos and read so much literature on racially related topics, that all of my social media platforms assume it’s what I’m looking for when I activate an app. The reality is, when looking through YouTube videos or Facebook clips, the comment sections are the first place I go. I often find myself scrolling and comparing the comments of videos where the perpetrators are of black descent vs. those of white descent. The comments appear harsher on the videos of black assailants. For example, you will likely see keywords and phrases such as, “Thugs”, “Ghetto”, “Ebonics”, “They always play the race card”, “I wish they would speak English”, various combinations of the “N-word” to fool the algorithm, etc.
I remember having a conversation with a former co-worker who seemed truly interested in learning, but had not quite recognize that their zeal to be an “ally” was often overshadowed by constant, unintentional microaggressions. It always bothered me that no matter how educated I was, no matter the experience that I have, no matter how many times I attempted to have regular conversation, that co-worker would find a way to remind me that we were not the same. I was there to work, not be the sole representative of the Black population who needed to be reminded that I am Black. I remember going into the homes of people who did not truly want to welcome me, to de-escalate mental crisis situations. I can still feel the burning frustration and sorrow that I had to bury inside of me, as I work to calm a patient in crisis, while the family member who called for assistance talk to me with their backs turned or respond to me while making eye contact with my counterpart. Make no mistake in thinking that I am feeling as though I was a victim. If I had a penny for the amount of times I heard someone complain about minority groups suffering with “victim mentality”, I would have enough money to pay someone to write this blog for me. You see, we as a people are not victims any more, we are the example of resilience. Day in and day out, many of us wake up, get ready to go to our places of employment, hoping we land in a safe place. We sometimes have to push aside our anxieties within in which we are unsure of the awkward, uncomfortable interactions we may face during the day, because some perceive that the more melanated our skin may be, we must have different lived experience. You are probably sucking your teeth, assuming I’m exaggerating, right? Well, here’s an example from a few days ago. I attended SAMHSA’s Prevention Day a few days ago. It was an awesome event and I’m so thankful to have experienced this. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event! Anyway, I attended a session on Diversity and Inclusion in Prevention. That should have been a safe space, right? The speakers were phenomenal during this session. The final presenter gave us the challenge of discussing potential barriers to leading prevention efforts in an inclusive environment with our neighbor. I was seated beside my co-worker (black male) and there was a woman to my right. My co-worker and I turned to the lady, who quickly stood in front of us and said (not verbatim): “I have to run, because I have a presentation soon, but I will say that I have been researching what YOU GUYS have been going through. I have been reading up on it and listening to people share their stories. There’s so much that I’m learning, that I didn’t learn growing up. It’s so saaaaaaddd. I’m still learning.” We were both stunned. I was speechless. My co-worker says, “Thank you for sharing” and I said, “Good luck with your presentation”. When she left he and I laughed. She was the example of what we often face in situations of leadership. Although, I’m sure she was very sincere in what she was explaining to us, the unintentional microaggression of grouping us into a category of perceived lived experiences stings.These reminders that we are different begin in childhood. There will always be an instance where someone reminds the child that they are different, because of their skin. These experiences have become engrained generationally. The brain has been constantly repaired itself, to protect us from the next potentially adverse interaction. We are resilient people.
I’m glad that the research is being done and awareness is being brought to this reality.
How can we be agents of positive social change?
Educate yourself and children on the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Be open to the tough conversations. Listen unjudgmentally. Do not invalidate another person’s experience.
Work to view others through an unbiased lens. I understand there may be prior experiences, but do not assume that all people will behave or interact in the same manner. Give every person a clean state upon first meeting them.
