Black women are the foundation of America, and somehow, the most unprotected individuals you will ever meet. Black women are always put on a pedestal for all the wrong reasons. Society wants them to push through the toughest situations possible with little to no support, but if they begin to crack under pressure, they are disregarded as weak and useless individuals. They are expected to be calm, agreeable, and put together. But alas, when they present these qualities, the Uncle Sams of the world perceive it as “synthetic etiquette” or incantations to get what they want. The system was strategically placed to keep these women inferior. And they are never to step outside of this box unless they want to be looked down upon. This mentality has trickled down into several areas of life, both socially and mentally.
Historically, medical professionals have assumed that black women are much more resilient than white women and therefore don't need protection. We've been used as experiments for medical practices due to this very thought process. Why is it that so many doctors and psychologists believe that black women feel less pain? And why should I still be able to see the effects of this teaching in today's world? The amount of times I've heard the tales of black women having to exaggerate their pain in order to get any form of medical treatment is astounding, but if they have to fight this much for physical care, I can only imagine how unnoticed the pleas for mental health care are.
Though I can't completely blame the medical system for the way black people generally perceive mental health, it can largely take credit. The black community as a whole being the second highest community with major depression is one thing, but the fact that more than half of this statistic consists of women is another issue. This would mean black women have been suffering mentally the most, but I've barely seen any kind of advocacy or help given to them. Have you ever considered that this might be the reason therapy is seen as such a taboo for us?
As I sit before the women in my family, all of these issues are reflected within them. I've heard about their individual situations, and I've seen the way their coping mechanisms reflect their mental state. Between drinking, lustful behaviors, or hostile actions…I've never seen anyone take the time to ask why they do the things they do. The judgment they face is immeasurable, but what makes it worse is that no one truly cares openly until they're no longer around. It's always “I knew something was wrong” or “someone should've helped her” until they sit back and realize they had the resources to do something.
Though I can't completely blame the medical system for the way black people generally perceive mental health, it can largely take credit. The black community as a whole being the second highest community with major depression is one thing, but the fact that more than half of this statistic consists of women is another issue. This would mean black women have been suffering mentally the most, but I've barely seen any kind of advocacy or help given to them. Have you ever considered that this might be the reason therapy is seen as such a taboo for us?
As I sit before the women in my family, all of these issues are reflected within them. I've heard about their individual situations, and I've seen the way their coping mechanisms reflect their mental state. Between drinking, lustful behaviors, or hostile actions…I've never seen anyone take the time to ask why they do the things they do. The judgment they face is immeasurable, but what makes it worse is that no one truly cares openly until they're no longer around. It's always “I knew something was wrong” or “someone should've helped her” until they sit back and realize they had the resources to do something.
You can't make the ones you rely on the most feel like liabilities just because you haven't seen all the tears they shed. it's impossible to water a flower that has already withered. Pay attention to these women. America owes them the world.
ALEXANDREA SUGGS
SHE/HER
