Coping With Trauma
Facing our trauma is difficult because what we lost in Charleston in addition to the lives of our Beloveds is so much more. But, there are some practical things we can do right now to aid our recovery. We can do so as the title of Edwidge Danticat’s award-winning novel suggests by using our “Breath, Eyes, and Memory.”
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- Catch Your Breath: We are in a period of grief and mourning. Its okay if you are finding it more challenging to grant forgiveness, grace and mercy. Healing takes time. Be patient with yourself and others around you to work through the natural stages of trauma recovery.
- Focus: Trauma can create emotional and relational blind spots. Focus on acknowledging what you are seeing and feeling and believe it the first time. Seek help if you observe any of the trauma symptoms described earlier. Focus on doing what is meaningful and enjoyable to you.
- Remember: There is inherent power in remembering. Engage in social, religious, or other community activities that afford opportunities to remember the lives of the victims. Establish or participate in a local healing circle. Most importantly, know that you can honor the memories of the victims by speaking their names: Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., Rev. Sharonda Singleton, Myra Thompson, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Hon. Rev. Clementa Pinckney. Rest In Power.
We will get through this.
Dr. Wizdom Powell is Assistant Professor of Health Behavior at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. Dr. Powell is also a faculty member at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Director of the UNC’s Men’s Health Research Lab.
Breath, Eyes & Memory: How We Find Healing After Race-Related Trauma was originally published on blackdoctor.org
