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Racism is not people of color talking about things that have been done to people of color by whites. Racism is not pointing out the harm policies crafted by whites in power has done. Racism is not just a bunch of slurs. Racism is not about trying to figure out what people are thinking. Racism is a behavior. A racist is a person exhibiting that behavior. It is an abusive behavior that causes tremendous psychological harm.
The study of the psychological damage caused by racism has been ignored and on top of that scarce due to the fact that most people who had been leaders in the field of psychology/sociology have been white. But in more recent time blacks/POC in both field have increased and they have initiated studies on the psychological/physiological damage caused by racism.
“Bryant-Davis and Ocampo (2005) noted similar courses of psychopathology between rape victims and victims of racism. Both events are an assault on the personhood and integrity of the victim. Similar to rape victims, race-related trauma victims may respond with disbelief, shock, or dissociation, which can prevent them from responding to the incident in a healthy manner. The victim may then feel shame and self-blame because they were unable to respond or defend themselves, which may lead to low self-concept and self-destructive behaviors. In the same study, a parallel was drawn between race-related trauma victims and victims of domestic violence. Both survivors are made to feel shame over allowing themselves to be victimized. For instance, someone who may have experienced a racist incident may be told that if they are polite, work hard, and/or dress in a certain way, they will not encounter racism. When these rules are followed yet racism persists, powerlessness, hyper vigilance, and other symptoms associated with PTSD may develop or worsen.”
Ryan C.T. DeLapp, MA, and Monnica T. Williams, Ph.D., “Proactively Coping With Racism, Getting back to our lives in the aftermath of racial violence in the media.”, July 18, 2016, www.psychologytoday,com
So try to imagine what it is like to feel like you have been raped or endure domestic violence every day of your life and nothing gets done about it. Instead every day you get told by people who are practicing the abuse that the abuse is not happening, or that you're pretending to be a victim because you need to in order to have a job or sense of self. Or that people are making it up to get rich and that people are telling you that you are a victim to make ypu dependent on them so you vote for members of that party. For people to actually believe this is lunacy, or rather, cognitive dissonance at the highest level.
“On occasion, the emotional weight of racism can lead African Americans to engage in maladaptive coping, such as remaining in denial, engaging in substance use, aggression, self-blame – even in extreme cases suicide (i.e., Black Lives Matter activist Marshawn McCarrel) and terrorism (i.e., Dallas shooter Micah Xavier Johnson). These responses are harmful and lead to negative, long-term consequences.”
mal·a·dap·tive:
not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation:
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When white "conservatives" praise blacks like Clarence Tho,as, Candace Owens, Thomas Sowell, Herschel Walker, etc., they are praising blacks who practice maladaptive coping mechanisms. They are praised for remaining in denial and self blame for the conditions blacks face. White "conservatives are actively trying to pressure blacks into practicing maladaptive behavior and tell us how practicing that maladaptive behavior is a benefit to black people and examples of how we should take personal responsibility.
We read about black violence from whites. Yet aggression is one of the results of having to endure racism. It is another maladaptive behavior created by white racism. Maladaptive behavior caused by white racism can result in self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse or hypersexuality.
When I say the root cause of the problems blacks face is white racism, it is due to continuing self education about the psychological/physiological effects of racism on people of color. In 2022 we must go beyond the simple minded bromides often hurled in these discussions from people on the right. When you start talking about the behavior of blacks or any other person of color, the psychological effects of race must be considered.
Because even the favorite minority of the right wing practices maladaptive coping as part of their culture. The Asian concept of Gaman, is basically internalized racism and that is a maladaptive coping mechanism. Butvwhite "conservatives" boast anf brag about how maladaptive behavior in others is great and fantastic.
So if we are going to have a civil conversation about race, a real look at the physical/psychological damage caused by racism instead of discounting racism then talking about somebody's culture. Because racism is the evidence of a cultural failure of one group and it ain't blacks, Hispanics, members of the First Nations, or Asians.
The study of the psychological damage caused by racism has been ignored and on top of that scarce due to the fact that most people who had been leaders in the field of psychology/sociology have been white. But in more recent time blacks/POC in both field have increased and they have initiated studies on the psychological/physiological damage caused by racism.
“Bryant-Davis and Ocampo (2005) noted similar courses of psychopathology between rape victims and victims of racism. Both events are an assault on the personhood and integrity of the victim. Similar to rape victims, race-related trauma victims may respond with disbelief, shock, or dissociation, which can prevent them from responding to the incident in a healthy manner. The victim may then feel shame and self-blame because they were unable to respond or defend themselves, which may lead to low self-concept and self-destructive behaviors. In the same study, a parallel was drawn between race-related trauma victims and victims of domestic violence. Both survivors are made to feel shame over allowing themselves to be victimized. For instance, someone who may have experienced a racist incident may be told that if they are polite, work hard, and/or dress in a certain way, they will not encounter racism. When these rules are followed yet racism persists, powerlessness, hyper vigilance, and other symptoms associated with PTSD may develop or worsen.”
Ryan C.T. DeLapp, MA, and Monnica T. Williams, Ph.D., “Proactively Coping With Racism, Getting back to our lives in the aftermath of racial violence in the media.”, July 18, 2016, www.psychologytoday,com
So try to imagine what it is like to feel like you have been raped or endure domestic violence every day of your life and nothing gets done about it. Instead every day you get told by people who are practicing the abuse that the abuse is not happening, or that you're pretending to be a victim because you need to in order to have a job or sense of self. Or that people are making it up to get rich and that people are telling you that you are a victim to make ypu dependent on them so you vote for members of that party. For people to actually believe this is lunacy, or rather, cognitive dissonance at the highest level.
“On occasion, the emotional weight of racism can lead African Americans to engage in maladaptive coping, such as remaining in denial, engaging in substance use, aggression, self-blame – even in extreme cases suicide (i.e., Black Lives Matter activist Marshawn McCarrel) and terrorism (i.e., Dallas shooter Micah Xavier Johnson). These responses are harmful and lead to negative, long-term consequences.”
mal·a·dap·tive:
not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation:
What Is Maladaptive Behavior? Definition And Symptoms | BetterHelp
Maladaptive behaviors are actions that cause you harm. You may not realize that you're hurting yourself. Learn how dangerous these actions are and how to stop them.
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Maladaptive Behavior: Causes, Connection to Anxiety, and Treatment
Maladaptive behavior is behavior that prevents you from making adjustments that are in your own best interest. Avoidance, withdrawal, and passive aggression are examples. Here's how to identify and treat it.
www.healthline.com
What Is Maladaptive Behavior?
Maladaptive behavior is any behavior that is an ineffective way of coping with stressors, usually as a result of anxiety, fear, or discomfort.
Maladaptive Behavior: What Is It, Signs & Treatments Of 2024
Maladaptive behaviors start after traumatic events or significant life changes. We explore what it is, its symptoms, and treatments in 2024 .
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What Is A Maladaptive Behavior, 8 Common Maladaptive Behavior, Causes, Treatment - Epainassist - Useful Information for Better Health
What Is A Maladaptive Behaviors? The inability to adjust to a situations or different situations is known as maladaptive behavior. It can be a habit picked up at an early age or can be a behavior that starts after a major life change, illness, or traumatic event. Such behavior though adopted to...
www.epainassist.com
When white "conservatives" praise blacks like Clarence Tho,as, Candace Owens, Thomas Sowell, Herschel Walker, etc., they are praising blacks who practice maladaptive coping mechanisms. They are praised for remaining in denial and self blame for the conditions blacks face. White "conservatives are actively trying to pressure blacks into practicing maladaptive behavior and tell us how practicing that maladaptive behavior is a benefit to black people and examples of how we should take personal responsibility.
We read about black violence from whites. Yet aggression is one of the results of having to endure racism. It is another maladaptive behavior created by white racism. Maladaptive behavior caused by white racism can result in self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse or hypersexuality.
When I say the root cause of the problems blacks face is white racism, it is due to continuing self education about the psychological/physiological effects of racism on people of color. In 2022 we must go beyond the simple minded bromides often hurled in these discussions from people on the right. When you start talking about the behavior of blacks or any other person of color, the psychological effects of race must be considered.
Because even the favorite minority of the right wing practices maladaptive coping as part of their culture. The Asian concept of Gaman, is basically internalized racism and that is a maladaptive coping mechanism. Butvwhite "conservatives" boast anf brag about how maladaptive behavior in others is great and fantastic.
So if we are going to have a civil conversation about race, a real look at the physical/psychological damage caused by racism instead of discounting racism then talking about somebody's culture. Because racism is the evidence of a cultural failure of one group and it ain't blacks, Hispanics, members of the First Nations, or Asians.
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