Earlier this month, a podcaster stated that Black people in America have generational trauma from slavery. However, he also stated that we have generational strength to rise up from adversity and succeed. He mentioned that during the Reconstruction Period after the Civil War, we owned property and businesses and held political offices. Then the Jim Crow laws came and took all that away. However, we kept doing what we had to so that we could survive. Until we were at a position to fight for our own rights in the Civil Rights Movement.
If you are a Black man or woman today, you have experienced your own generational trauma residues from abuse, poverty, and/or being denied a dream. I know it’s unfair that we have to be twice as good as a non-Black person just to be taken seriously. However, I want to remind you about our birthright – generational strength. From our bloodlines there has been kings and queens, warriors and priestesses, political and religious leaders, saints, musicians, writers, artists, inventors, scientists, and geniuses. We are a proud and mighty race. You are not stupid or slow. You are not lazy or a criminal threat. You have talents that are not limited by a grade on a paper or an 9-5 office job. You have so much potential. The only thing that is stopping you is the narrative you’ve allowed yourself and other people write for you. Burn that depressing novel and start a new story of love, hope, and taking educated chances. Acknowledge your past of generational trauma but step into the light of your generational strength that has been always been by your side, waiting for you to embrace it.
Until next time!
R.R. Peace, Author and Poet 