Coping With BIPOC Trauma
Trauma is something that, unfortunately, can happen to anyone. Trauma can happen for any number of reasons. Most commonly, someone may experience a traumatic event if they:
- Were in a car accident
- Experienced domestic, sexual, or emotional abuse
- A victim of a crime
- Witnessed a crime
But anything that caused extreme emotional distress can be considered a traumatic experience.
Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) have a unique relationship with trauma. Known as racial trauma, this is a shared and individual experience with traumatic events.
What Causes Racial Trauma?
Racial trauma can occur for any number of reasons, both personally and on a wider community level. Some reasons can include the following on any given day for a BIPOC.
- Not seeing your race represented regularly in the media, books, or television shows
- Being unsure if your race is the reason why the neighbors are not being friendly toward you
- Not trusting if your skin color or appearance is the real reason why you are being pulled over by law enforcement
- Being followed in a store because of racial profiling and the idea that you might be more likely to steal or commit a crime
- Any amount of success is seen as a “credit” to your race instead of just being a personal accomplishment
On a wider level, someone may experience racial trauma through:
- Witnessing or being the victim of a targeted crime
- Repeated exposure to hate crimes against your race
How To Cope With BIPOC Trauma
Don’t be ashamed of it
You should never feel shame for something you are feeling. Especially if you feel traumatized because of how other people perceive you in society. And you should never doubt yourself if it is okay to have trauma over what has happened to you and others.
Know you aren’t alone
There is a certain strength in knowing that we aren’t alone. Especially when it comes to topics surrounding race. It isn’t easy to know that there are people out there who know what it’s like to deal with BIPOC trauma. However, it does make it a little easier knowing we aren’t alone in this struggle.
Never be afraid to talk to others in your community or your family and friends about what you are feeling.
Healing may seem like an individual journey, but the truth is, there is power in knowing you are helping to heal others as a whole, too.
Search for the good news
We won’t even start on how awful the news is anymore. However, this doesn’t mean that only bad things are happening out there. There is still plenty of good and hopeful stories that circulate around – even though they don’t make it into big media that often.
If you are feeling down about the negative things in the world, don’t hesitate to seek out positive news articles. Try to find inspirational stories that will motivate you, calm your mind, and renew your sense of hope.
How to treat BIPOC trauma
Trying to cope with trauma on your own is nearly impossible to do so. Sure, all of the above may help and be beneficial. However, the truth of any type of trauma is that it’s affects can be unknown for long periods of time.
Seeking help for trauma sooner, rather than later, can have a profound effect on the rest of your life. There is nothing wrong to admit that you are not okay.
If you are struggling with trauma as a BIPOC, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Because when we say that we truly get it, we don’t just mean that as therapists but as humans too. Therapy for BIPOC can help you find the strength to keep going.