Colorblind: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
Dr. Joy De Gruy coined the term, and authored the book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS). She likens the symptoms to those identified with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She posits that blacks have learned and normalized negative behavior from those who have experienced the original trauma, an idea grounded in social learning theory. Dr. Gruy began her work on PTSS by observing and analyzing the behaviors of people of African and African American descent, over several generations, questioning "Why do we act that?" The various phenomena she observed in present-day black culture led her to tracing the roots of myriad ideologies manifested as self-loathing, the adoption of negative controlling images, hyper sensitivity, a feeling of impending doom, etc.
In her lecture Gruy traces the historical lines of racism, noting many early theories, laws, and statements on slavery; she connects these words to present day biases, stereotypes, and norms against blacks. Gruy continues to trace the horrific violence against blacks over time, claiming that whites were desensitized generation by generation to actions and laws repressing or harming blacks. She claims that present day treatments of blacks, coupled with attitudes and cultural tropes blacks have about themselves, are symptoms of PTSS.
The question remains, though, what do we do to heal from PTSS? If all both blacks and whites are affected by PTSS, what can be done to recover from the damage? I am skeptical of a feasible solution, given that Gruy claims the syndrome is articulated by learned behaviors. Can one unlearn behaviors and attitudes impacting blacks, such that a true "fair playing field" is established? Will the next generation then truly emerge as post-racial, pushing for policy changes and ensuring that blacks are afforded the same treatment under the law? Further, can blacks impacted by PTSS demand accommodations, treatment, and rights under the ADA? Based on Gruy's description of PTSS, I do wonder if it is not a far cry to state that being black in the United States is a disability. If PTSS is recognized as a disability, what reasonable accommodations can be made? How do we integrate treatment, if we frame this within the medical model of disability, into healthcare provisions?
Some responses to Gruy's book and lectures reflect disbelief and a sharp criticism of her claims. I am interested in this topic, though, not to peruse debates on validity, but to assess what implications PTSS may have within the legal world. Could laws be created to mandate an ideological shift, resulting in equitable treatment and representation of blacks within the criminal justice system? If so, where would we begin? Further, could incarcerated blacks demand disability accommodations due to PTSS? How would that reshape the prison experience and the journey to reintegration after release?
I believe that there are some excellent points made by Dr. Gruy in her text and throughout her lectures, but I believe her research falls short. It is impactful and controversial to claim that PTSS is real and continuing in our society, but I would like to see action plans fashioned to posit tangible and practical solutions for current and future generations to implement.
In her lecture Gruy traces the historical lines of racism, noting many early theories, laws, and statements on slavery; she connects these words to present day biases, stereotypes, and norms against blacks. Gruy continues to trace the horrific violence against blacks over time, claiming that whites were desensitized generation by generation to actions and laws repressing or harming blacks. She claims that present day treatments of blacks, coupled with attitudes and cultural tropes blacks have about themselves, are symptoms of PTSS.
The question remains, though, what do we do to heal from PTSS? If all both blacks and whites are affected by PTSS, what can be done to recover from the damage? I am skeptical of a feasible solution, given that Gruy claims the syndrome is articulated by learned behaviors. Can one unlearn behaviors and attitudes impacting blacks, such that a true "fair playing field" is established? Will the next generation then truly emerge as post-racial, pushing for policy changes and ensuring that blacks are afforded the same treatment under the law? Further, can blacks impacted by PTSS demand accommodations, treatment, and rights under the ADA? Based on Gruy's description of PTSS, I do wonder if it is not a far cry to state that being black in the United States is a disability. If PTSS is recognized as a disability, what reasonable accommodations can be made? How do we integrate treatment, if we frame this within the medical model of disability, into healthcare provisions?
Some responses to Gruy's book and lectures reflect disbelief and a sharp criticism of her claims. I am interested in this topic, though, not to peruse debates on validity, but to assess what implications PTSS may have within the legal world. Could laws be created to mandate an ideological shift, resulting in equitable treatment and representation of blacks within the criminal justice system? If so, where would we begin? Further, could incarcerated blacks demand disability accommodations due to PTSS? How would that reshape the prison experience and the journey to reintegration after release?
I believe that there are some excellent points made by Dr. Gruy in her text and throughout her lectures, but I believe her research falls short. It is impactful and controversial to claim that PTSS is real and continuing in our society, but I would like to see action plans fashioned to posit tangible and practical solutions for current and future generations to implement.
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