Depression, Mental Illness, and the Black community: by 1984

[audemarzz]

This is another problem the minute black men do start a discussion that could possibly lead to some real open discussion it gets derailed, Some of you dudes is worst than the police that try to act inconspicuous when black people gather in large groups.

 

[TwistedMetal]

 

[CinnaSlim]

I've never taken any meds, seen a therapist aa few times for evaluations but didn't stay long enough for diagnosis. If she did say it, I forgot. I just have ups and downs. I've learned how to mask it at the same time I feel like I'm bothering/annoying people when I do open up so I do that sparingly.

I constantly feel like my life will be short. I Just take it one day at a time and it's gotten me this far. I gotta stay focused on the present because everything else depresses me.

 

[iBrowse]

Holy shyt, I can relate somewhat to Jay's story...I was 307 when I started 4 years ago and I'm still not caught up mentally to where I'm at now.

 

[Unknown Poster]

Now I'm going to discuss a facet of mental health in regards to black people that is rarely discussed. But needs to be: THE MENTAL TOLL OF BEING BLACK IN WHITE SOCIETY.

This is rarely discussed because 1) racism is still understated in this society and 2) most people dont care to acknowledge racism or it's effects on black people.

Now...I'm not gonna go through a whole history lesson from to slavery to jim crow to the civil rights movement. I'm just going to focus on the present. We live in a white male patriarchy. A white supremacist society. Its a society where basically whiteness leads to privileges and being seen as a "human" and individual. We live in a society where the lighter you are the more privileges you have. Where the closer to European you are, the more freedom you have. Not only in regards to financial freedom, or political freedom but social freedom as well. This is reinforced 24/7 through the media, through movies, through tv, through the news...etc.

In this current society right now...black men and women are stigmatized. As criminal. As hypersexual. As hypermasculine. As diseased. As thieves. As servants. As poor. As any negative term you want to describe someone. We all know this is not true. But because the system of white supremacy needs to fuel stereotypes to make money to create fear...these are sold to the general public on a hourly daily weekly monthly yearly basis. This is not for black people's benefit but more so white societies...this is for black people's detriment.

But lets look at the mental effects this may have on black people. Some black men and women may try to bleach their skin or even get plastic surgery to make their african features more European. Frankly i think this is a mental illness. Little black boys and girls growing up thinking white is right and black is wack...wanting to "rub the black off of themselves". It takes a strong mind to deal with this on a daily basis cause we are constantly bombarded with this propoganda that supports this white supremacist narrative. Some black people don't even question this or even bother to research why things are this way...they just accept them and fall victim to the effects of white supremacy. I bet if you asked somebody why they feel that light skin is somehow "better" or white people are somehow "better" or why they feel having kids with a white person is a goal...you would not get a straight or even reasonable answer.

 

[Knuckles Red]

Now I'm going to discuss a facet of mental health in regards to black people that is rarely discussed. But needs to be: THE MENTAL TOLL OF BEING BLACK IN WHITE SOCIETY.

This is rarely discussed because 1) racism is still understated in this society and 2) most people dont care to acknowledge racism or it's effects on black people.

Now...I'm not gonna go through a whole history lesson from to slavery to jim crow to the civil rights movement. I'm just going to focus on the present. We live in a white male patriarchy. A white supremacist society. Its a society where basically whiteness leads to privileges and being seen as a "human" and individual. We live in a society where the lighter you are the more privileges you have. Where the closer to European you are, the more freedom you have. Not only in regards to financial freedom, or political freedom but social freedom as well. This is reinforced 24/7 through the media, through movies, through tv, through the news...etc.

In this current society right now...black men and women are stigmatized. As criminal. As hypersexual. As hypermasculine. As diseased. As thieves. As servants. As poor. As any negative term you want to describe someone. We all know this is not true. But because the system of white supremacy needs to fuel stereotypes to make money to create fear...these are sold to the general public on a hourly daily weekly monthly yearly basis. This is not for black people's benefit but more so white societies...this is for black people's detriment.

But lets look at the mental effects this may have on black people. Some black men and women may try to bleach their skin or even get plastic surgery to make their african features more European. Frankly i think this is a mental illness. Little black boys and girls growing up thinking white is right and black is wack...wanting to "rub the black off of themselves". It takes a strong mind to deal with this on a daily basis cause we are constantly bombarded with this propoganda that supports this white supremacist narrative. Some black people don't even question this or even bother to research why things are this way...they just accept them and fall victim to the effects of white supremacy. I bet if you asked somebody why they feel that light skin is somehow "better" or white people are somehow "better" or why they feel having kids with a white person is a goal...you would not get a straight or even reasonable answer.

It would help if we had more black male therapists. I've been to therapy on several different occasions and it just didn't help. The first time it was with a white woman, and the second occasion was with a black woman. It was better with the black woman, but with a black male therapist I feel like the unique issues that we face, as black men, would be immediately recognized and identifiable with another black male. I think thats why I've stopped talking as much IRL because I just don't feel like anyone would understand/care. At least online with posts like these I can see other people feeling the same way I do.

 

[Unknown Poster]

Okay. This is part two of THE MENTAL EFFECTS OF BEING BLACK IN WHITE SOCIETY.

BEING BLACK IN A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE AREA.

First of all...I'd like to start this off by saying I grew up in a predominantly white suburban area so I can only speak from my experiences so this is something I'm going to have to simplify.

This creates a very significant mental toll on the black mind. Let's talk about how white society works. White society and whiteness is basically about creating a "colorless" society. Where the only divisions are between men and women. Your neighbors are white. You doctors are white. Your co-workers are white. Your boss is white. Your friends are white. Everybody is white. You go to a football game or basketball game or baseball game...the crowd is 90% + white. It's feels like something out of a science fiction novel.

Even everything in this society caters to whites. Literature uses references like "tickled pink" or "white knuckle" that only really white people can relate to. The majority of the ads and photos in ads feature white people. The history lessons predominantly discuss european or white american history. Dating, shopping, and general social activities are for white men and women to support the next generation of white men and women.

Now...where does a black person fit in this area? The answer is NOWHERE.

You can try to adapt to their behavior, adopt their way lf dress, adopt their customs, adopt their slang, even associate date or marry white....but you will never be white or share the same privileges and freedom in this "colorless" society. And one thing that makes it so? RACISM.

RACISM is probably the most powerful and the most pervasive element of white society. It is not just as a preservational tool...it's used to show to outsiders that "you will never be one of us".

This can create feelings of alienation amongst black people. Even resentment...wanting to not be black in order to fit in this "colorless" society and wanting to be white. Because white society...is based on CONFORMITY. CONFORM OR DIE.

This goes back to the incident with the black newscaster who went crazy and shot that white anchorwoman and her crew. Now in my opinion...that dude was insane! But this goes back to what @Y2Dre said in that thread...basically he said that racism is driving black people insane.

Okay. You are a black man or woman in this unbelivably white environment. A token damn near everywhere you go. You can't find products that cater to you. You only see the negative racist stereotypes of black people in the media. You're surrounded by people wjo have adopted a racist and hateful mentality and they pass this down to their children. You're surrounded. By white people everywhere that all look the same and you're the "different" one.

This can result in extreme depression, anxiety....or in that guy's case just snap and do something extremely crazy.

 

[audemarzz]

I'd follow up but I feel like I'm slowly going into University mode and I hate being in University mode at home, Basically you're describing displacement I read a few articles about it discussing how African Americans can't find a sense of self in america because they can't find any proper facets to express themselves. They feel as though they have to conform to the behavior of the more prominent society otherwise they lose purpose. At least this seems like we're you're going with it but I could be wrong.

I grew up around these type of children who would clown on each other for having darker skin, while placing acclaim to the mixed kid in class or the kids with curly hair, basically the less black you were around black people the more you were accepted. The men hated you because they wanted what you had they wanted to not be themselves and the women loved you because of the prospect of having a child less African and more exotic.

--------------------------------------
@Knuckles Red I know exactly were you are coming from, non-black professional health workers just can't understand the daily ordeals of black patients they can sympathize and show compassion but the lack of understanding is the problem. How do you teach young black children respect for themselves when you've never experienced it yourself. You can read all you want but it's only secondhand experience at best sometimes you need someone who has been through it to teach those who are going through it.

 

[Unknown Poster]

It would help if we had more black male therapists. I've been to therapy on several different occasions and it just didn't help. The first time it was with a white woman, and the second occasion was with a black woman. It was better with the black woman, but with a black male therapist I feel like the unique issues that we face, as black men, would be immediately recognized and identifiable with another black male. I think thats why I've stopped talking as much IRL because I just don't feel like anyone would understand/care. At least online with posts like these I can see other people feeling the same way I do.

I feel ya.

Honestly...white people cannot make a proper mental assessment of black people at all. White people cant make a proper medical assessment of black people period. Why? They are trained to work with, diagnose, and assess white males and females. Cause thats the standard they use in the medicinal field.

White people don't have problems in my opinion. Their mental illnesses and their problems don't register on my radar.

They have to deal with stuff that's trivial. Anxiety from dealing with work. Dealing with money and bills. Dealing with social situations. Black people got to worry about if they or one of their loved ones could get murdered by a cop or another black person. Black people got to worry about if they got denied for a loan or approved for it cause of being black. Black people got to worry about bailing relatives and family members out of jail and how they're going to pay for a loved one's funeral.

White people problems are just luxury problems. Other than that you don't have any problems. You can go anywhereyou want...do anything you want...date anybody uou want...work anywhere you want.

Black folks? Shieet we cannot even go to certain counries for fear of violent racism or possibly getten beat up or killed by everyone from drunk soccer hooligans to skinheads/white nationalists to xenophobic people who have had their homogenous lifestyle threatened by outsiders.

 

[Knuckles Red]

Okay. This is part two of THE MENTAL EFFECTS OF BEING BLACK IN WHITE SOCIETY.

BEING BLACK IN A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE AREA.

First of all...I'd like to start this off by saying I grew up in a predominantly white suburban area so I can only speak from my experiences so this is something I'm going to have to simplify.

This creates a very significant mental toll on the black mind. Let's talk about how white society works. White society and whiteness is basically about creating a "colorless" society. Where the only divisions are between men and women. Your neighbors are white. You doctors are white. Your co-workers are white. Your boss is white. Your friends are white. Everybody is white. You go to a football game or basketball game or baseball game...the crowd is 90% + white. It's feels like something out of a science fiction novel.

Even everything in this society caters to whites. Literature uses references like "tickled pink" or "white knuckle" that only really white people can relate to. The majority of the ads and photos in ads feature white people. The history lessons predominantly discuss european or white american history. Dating, shopping, and general social activities are for white men and women to support the next generation of white men and women.

Now...where does a black person fit in this area? The answer is NOWHERE.

You can try to adapt to their behavior, adopt their way lf dress, adopt their customs, adopt their slang, even associate date or marry white....but you will never be white or share the same privileges and freedom in this "colorless" society. And one thing that makes it so? RACISM.

RACISM is probably the most powerful and the most pervasive element of white society. It is not just as a preservational tool...it's used to show to outsiders that "you will never be one of us".

This can create feelings of alienation amongst black people. Even resentment...wanting to not be black in order to fit in this "colorless" society and wanting to be white. Because white society...is based on CONFORMITY. CONFORM OR DIE.

This goes back to the incident with the black newscaster who went crazy and shot that white anchorwoman and her crew. Now in my opinion...that dude was insane! But this goes back to what @Y2Dre said in that thread...basically he said that racism is driving black people insane.

Okay. You are a black man or woman in this unbelivably white environment. A token damn near everywhere you go. You can't find products that cater to you. You only see the negative racist stereotypes of black people in the media. You're surrounded by people wjo have adopted a racist and hateful mentality and they pass this down to their children. You're surrounded. By white people everywhere that all look the same and you're the "different" one.

This can result in extreme depression, anxiety....or in that guy's case just snap and do something extremely crazy.

I also grew up in a predominately white suburban neighborhood, and to add to what you said; growing up surrounded by whites doesn't allow you to have the "black experience" because you (or at least I) don't see anyone who looks like you. You have to navigate through this white world alone with no one to speak to. Sure you can talk to white guidance counselors about your issues, but they're only going to be able to respond from their own white perspective. Being black in a white world separated from other blacks causes isolation. I had a really difficult time relating to other blacks growing up because of the way I talked, dressed, acted. I really do think that being the only black in a white neighborhood/school is what brought about my depression. I went inside my own head. It was just a toxic environment.

 

[Unknown Poster]

I personally don't think the healthcare system can do anything for mental illness in black people. The medications have serious side effects not to mention they are rarely, if ever tested on people with melanin. Therapy is a good idea, BUT you have to find an African American one that you're comfortable with. That's hard to do because there aren't a ton of them.

The best thing anyone can do is get a consistent exercise routine going and change their diet. A lot of our depression comes from have toxic minds and bodies. You can't be depressed, smoke weed, drink and eat bad shyt and expect to stay in the right frame of mind.

This is so true...especially the part about medication not really being tested. Black people react different to everything it seems. Most of these products, medications, treatments seem to be designed for white people.

Eurocentrism excludes people on purpose.

 

[Knuckles Red]

I'd follow up but I feel like I'm slowly going into University mode and I hate being in University mode at home, Basically you're describing displacement I read a few articles about it discussing how African Americans can't find a sense of self in america because they can't find any proper facets to express themselves. They feel as though they have to conform to the behavior of the more prominent society otherwise they lose purpose. At least this seems like we're you're going with it but I could be wrong.

I grew up around these type of children who would clown on each other for having darker skin, while placing acclaim to the mixed kid in class or the kids with curly hair, basically the less black you were around black people the more you were accepted. The men hated you because they wanted what you had they wanted to not be themselves and the women loved you because of the prospect of having a child less African and more exotic.

--------------------------------------
@Knuckles Red I know exactly were you are coming from, non-black professional health workers just can't understand the daily ordeals of black patients they can sympathize and show compassion but the lack of understanding is the problem. How do you teach young black children respect for themselves when you've never experienced it yourself. You can read all you want but it's only secondhand experience at best sometimes you need someone who has been through it to teach those who are going through it.

Also how can a white therapist help a black person's issues stemming from being black in a white society when the white therapist him/herself benefits from that white society, and is rewarded the more they embrace that white society that is predicated on the disenfranchisement of black flesh?!?!?

 

[Rawtid]

It would help if we had more black male therapists. I've been to therapy on several different occasions and it just didn't help. The first time it was with a white woman, and the second occasion was with a black woman. It was better with the black woman, but with a black male therapist I feel like the unique issues that we face, as black men, would be immediately recognized and identifiable with another black male. I think thats why I've stopped talking as much IRL because I just don't feel like anyone would understand/care. At least online with posts like these I can see other people feeling the same way I do.

I was never able to find a black therapist. Had two white women who kept harping about me coming from a single parent household Not saying it's not an issue but it would have been nice to talk to someone who knows that's common place and doesn't automatically peg you as a maladjusted individual because of it.

 

[audemarzz]

I also grew up in a predominately white suburban neighborhood, and to add to what you said; growing up surrounded by whites doesn't allow you to have the "black experience" because you (or at least I) don't see anyone who looks like you. You have to navigate through this white world alone with no one to speak to. Sure you can talk to white guidance counselors about your issues, but they're only going to be able to respond from their own white perspective. Being black in a white world separated from other blacks causes isolation. I had a really difficult time relating to other blacks growing up because of the way I talked, dressed, acted. I really do think that being the only black in a white neighborhood/school is what brought about my depression. I went inside my own head. It was just a toxic environment.

I was never able to find a black therapist. Had two white women who kept harping about me coming from a single parent household Not saying it's not an issue but it would have been nice to talk to someone who knows that's common place and doesn't automatically peg you as a maladjusted individual because of it.

Lmao I remember trying to explain just a typical day of my life to some white young women, they had the shocked expression like I took them to see boys in the hood or some shyt. To them it's like a movie they can't believe it could be this way.

"Omg Kevin I'm so sorry, Britney let's take him to starbucks"

 

[Grand Cru Boo]

Good discussion!

Personally I've dealt with depression and anxiety for a few years. I've been able to overcome it thankfully but lately I feel myself backsliding. My suggesting to anyone is to find someone to vent to. Someone you trust one hat level. It really helps. Plus continue to stay busy, meditate, excercise, read, diet and try to stay focus. It hard but not impossible to overcome.