M7 Discussion – Historical Trauma in Children and Families

1. In your own words, explain historical trauma. Reflect on what it means to you.
2. How might historical trauma impact a relationship between an elder (parent, grandparent, etc.) and a child and/or effect child-raising practices in general?
3. Describe a racial microaggression that you have witnessed in a social interaction, human service practice setting, or educational setting.  How did you feel about the microaggression and how did you respond? If a child or teen experienced microaggressions on a daily or weekly basis, what do you think the cumulative impact might be?
4. How might you implement culturally-responsive strategies in working with people who have experienced historical trauma? If you are unsure, what resources (including people) could you draw upon to help you?

Historical trauma is a multigenerational trauma experienced by specific race, culture, and ethnic groups. An example I have witnessed is the black lives matter movement that began last year all over the United States. It stems from slavery and African Americans, causing tension between caucasions and African Americans. Trauma can be passed down from generation to generation. Generationally, Black Americans have been taught we have to be twice as good as others to be good enough. With this, Black Americans reinforced the idea that strength has to be measured by how much you can endure, physically and emotionally (Ayana, 2021). Trauma can lead to African American families having talks or thoughts with their children or community that a typical white person would not have to worry about or think about. African American past generations have been through American Slavery, the Civil Rights movement, and other periods of time that African Americans were under a microscope. They were taught it was either life or death, so they did not have the time or choice to question anything. We are taught to respect our elders, we try not to question our elders’ decision either as they grew up in a different time period as us. It is important for generations to have access to services such as therapy or programs where they can discuss past events that can affect them. Each member from different groups has a different experience and reaction to what they have gone through. This trauma is still alive today. 

Sources:

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/equity/projects/infantmortality/session2.2.pdf