Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome
Did you know that Post-traumatic Slave Syndrome is a condition that many people of Color are afflicted with? So, when we have dialogues around systemic racism, oppression, and historical trauma, we should not overlook Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS). The term draws parallels to the more widely recognized Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS), and treats the lasting effects of slavery on generations of African descendants. PTSS challenges the belief that slavery is a relic of the past, irrelevant to today's society, and was a teaching tool, by highlighting how the trauma endured by enslaved people continues to impact their descendants. Many people react to the notion of PTSS with skepticism, and often dismiss it as an excuse for current societal issues or as a way to place blame on history, or as a way to continue to ignore the clear and present danger that is in front of them. These reactions, however, show varying levels of understanding and emotional enga...