By Melody Wright, LMFT

There is an invisible force that has been silently affecting the lives of those with extra melanin in their skin. For centuries many people have felt this force in their day-to-day lives, yet they haven’t been able to name it. Some have described it as a cloud that follows them and never seems to lift. Others feel as though they must question their own thoughts and feelings with simple daily tasks. So what is this invisible foe? The answer is racial trauma. 

What is Racial Trauma? 

Racial trauma is physical, emotional, and mental distress experienced by the BIPOC community due to racism in society. The reason we are calling racial trauma the invisible foe is due to the fact that it is not something that is experienced during a single isolated event, but rather something that stacks over time by continual exposure either directly or indirectly. Racial trauma is also something that is rarely acknowledged as a valid human experience, which causes confusion throughout the community. 

Signs of Racial Trauma

Now that we’ve put a name to our foe, I’m sure you are wondering what signs of racial trauma are. Some people experience anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, and even feelings of guilt and shame around regular day-to-day tasks. However, did you know that trauma can be stored in the body? It’s possible that you may be experiencing physical symptoms in response to the long-term effects of stress from racial trauma. Physical symptoms can include insomnia, headaches, and hypervigilance. The more exposure to racial trauma the more you may see these physical symptoms could intensify. 

Indirect vs Direct Racial Trauma

Exposure to racial trauma is a different experience for each individual. This trauma can come in the form of direct or indirect exposure. Unfortunately, many BIPOCs experience both in today's society.

Indirect racial trauma is probably the most predominant form of exposure. This can look like watching the news and finding out about police brutality in your area, having a family dinner out, and overhearing conversations with discriminatory phrases. These situations affect you without being necessarily directed at you. They may stimulate feelings of worry, anger, or confusion, all of which are valid responses to what you’ve experienced.

Direct racial trauma exposure is discrimination that is specifically directed at you. For example, you are at the grocery store buying some snacks for a gathering you’re having and you accidentally bump into someone. When you turn to apologize you are met with someone who responds with a racially motivated insult. After this, you may have feelings of anger and resentment, but you may also experience thoughts that make you think there is something wrong with you for having a different skin color. 

Acknowledging The Invisible Foe 

It is important to remember that you are not alone in your experience with racial trauma. This is a real thing that many people struggle with.

Acknowledging racial trauma is the first step towards creating more awareness about its effects on people’s mental health. We must also strive to create an environment where people feel safe to talk about their experiences without fear of judgment. There are many people out there who understand what you’re going through and can provide support and resources to help you cope with the pain.

If you are wondering where to start, finding a culturally competent therapist would be a great first step. Our therapists at Life By Design Therapy carry a social justice lens. If you are interested in working with our team please click HERE to schedule your free phone consultation. 

**If you’re interested in expanding your awareness and knowledge on race-related matters, check out these books below:

1. My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

2. Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad

3. White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson

4. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Joy a Degruy

5. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

6. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum

7. How to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

8. Caste (Oprah's Book Club): The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

9. White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo 

10. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

11. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson 

12. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

13. Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis 

14. Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz 

15. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee

**Some product links are affiliate links, which means we'll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.

other blogs you may like