June 2024 | Issue Two
“Juneteenth is a day to honor [our] ancestors by engaging in practices that prioritize joy, ease and rest as pathways to liberation.” - Erika Doomes, LMSW
- Celebrating Juneteenth -
Interestingly enough, I don’t recall learning about Juneteenth in any of the history classes I took throughout grade school and college. It wasn’t until recently when we as a collective began to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth, before it was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. On June 19th 1865, the last confederate community of enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas received notification of their newfound freedom; two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. For years to follow, during a period known as the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877), newly freed African Americans celebrated their freedom as this era symbolized hope, reunification, empowerment, and perseverance. However, this time period signified further discrimination against African Americans as Equal Justice Initiative highlights how this era sparked a “century long era of racial hierarchy, lynching, white supremacy, and bigotry” (2020). When I think of Juneteenth and what it embodies, I am reminded of the strength of our ancestors. The strength it took as a collective to enforce change and pilot a generation of Black Americans to freedom. I celebrate Juneteenth as this holiday holds a part of history that speaks to perseverance, black liberation, and empowerment.
While it has been 159 years since 1865, African Americans have continuously fought against injustices towards our community. Through slavery, segregation, black men dying at the hands of police officers, and various forms of institutionalized racism.. the fight for justice perseveres. There is something to be said about the way our community has banded together in support of revolutionary movements. Our drive, our compassion, our love, and our unity is what makes us stronger as a collective. While speaking with my friend and colleague Erika Doomes, LMSW [a practicing psychotherapist in New York City] we explored a deeper understanding of Juneteenth and the significance of the holiday, as we see it. Erika expressed that “Juneteenth is a holiday that not only serves as a reminder of the trauma endured by our Black American ancestors, but also of our resilience and strength. Juneteenth is a day to honor [our] ancestors by engaging in practices that prioritize joy, ease and rest as pathways to liberation.” I resonated with Erika’s ideas as it highlights a connection between the celebration of Juneteenth and individualized care for our mental health. After centuries of injustice, which led to generational and historical trauma, it is important that we take a moment to cater to our needs, our mental health. I challenge you to identify what Juneteenth means to you as an individual and as a part of a greater and empowered community. Take the time to prioritize joy, ease and rest.
Perseverance [noun]: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.
Referenced: Equal Justice Initiative, “Reconstruction in America: Racial Violence after the Civil War, 1865-1876” (2020).
- Intersecting Identities -
June feels like an exciting month for me as I get to celebrate multiple parts of my identity: my blackness and sexuality, unapologetically. Granted, I prefer to celebrate myself all year around but there is something empowering about celebrating on a “national” level, regardless of the opinions of some. As a young black male who identifies as gay, there were multiple spaces I was not accepted in; and navigating these spaces were often difficult and ultimately took a toll on my mental health. The truth is, it took me a LONG time to accept all parts of myself and the process of understanding intersectionality as a whole was daunting. Over the years, I have continued to grow and educate myself, I’ve been able to understand intersectionality and the impact it has on myself on and others. This concept has assisted in fostering an awareness to biases that surround me and biases that I may hold myself.
Intersectionality is a framework pioneered by critical race theorist Kimberle Crenshaw. Initiall, Crenshaw coined the term to bring attention to the marginalization of black women. However, over time this concept has expanded and highlights how social identities lead to various forms of oppression and privilege. As human beings, we grace the earth with a variety of beautiful identities such as race, sex, gender identity, culture, sexual orientation and ability; which shape our experiences on a daily basis. To give an example, and individual who identifies as African American and homosexual, two minority groups, may experience a unique set of disadvantages as opposed to someone who identifies as white and heterosexual. Additionally, one who identifies as a cis-gendered woman regardless of race may face particular forms of oppression as opposed to cis-gendered men; such as the gender pay gap which highlights differences in income between men and women. Intersectionality is a helpful tool when it comes to discussing structural inequalities; bringing attention to the relationship between status, identity, and certain acts of oppression and privilege.
When speaking of mental health outcomes, it is important to explore the impact inequality and discrimination may have on marginalized groups and communities as a whole. In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a longitudinal study (conducted 2007-2017) which explored the relationship between mental health outcomes and substance misuse for young adults who experienced varying forms of interpersonal discrimination. Based on their findings, “increased discrimination frequency was associated with higher prevalence of languishing, psychological distress, mental illness diagnosis, [substance] use, and poor self-reported health (2021).” I believe these finding play a critical role in exploring intersecting identities, discrimination, and varying forms of trauma as a result. Being able to conceptualize these connections is crucial in understanding factors to increased mental health concerns. As an individual with intersecting identities, who has experienced oppression in particular spaces; I recognize certain privileges I may hold over other identities. Ultimately, this awareness can help us minimize the impact of oppression by being aware of particular biases we may hold in general.
Referenced: Lei, Y. (2021). Discrimination and Subsequent Mental Health, Substance Use, and Well-being in Young Adults. American Academy of Pediatrics, 148(6). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-051378
- Men’s Mental Health Awareness -
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness month. For years, men have been conditioned to believe that emotion is a sign of weakness. Unbecoming of a man. But this could not be further from the truth. Mental health care is valuable regardless of one’s gender or identity. As men continue to experience different variations of mental health concerns, they remain largely untreated due to stigma and an unwillingness to engage in treatment. This is largely seen in BIPOC [Black Indigenous People of Color] communities as a whole due to cultural differences and beliefs. However, when mental health concerns are left untreated, they can evolve into more concerning matters, including more severe forms of depression, unhealthy coping mechanisms/self medication, and suicidality. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in 2022 men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women, In addition, firearms accounted for more than half of all suicide deaths.
When it comes to mitigating concerns of mental health and day to day strain, there are a few activities one can do to destress and practice self care such as grounding techniques, journaling, exercise, and practicing gratitude. Engaging in these practices can assist with emotion regulation, building better relationships, resiliency, and of course improving mental health. Men need to know that their mental health is important and their voices are invaluable. One way to ensure accountability when practicing self care is finding reliable supports. Support can come in multiple forms and look differently for everyone. Take a moment to jot down individuals/groups you may have in your life and scenarios when you may need to reach out. This is a great way to be proactive and identify resources prior to needing them.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, they may also reach out to the following hotlines:
Suicide & Crisis Hotline - Call or Text 988
Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 for support offered 24/7 365
Local Behavioral Health Urgent Care
Referenced: (2024). Suicide Statistics. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/
- To All Fathers and Figures Alike -
Father. A term with multiple definitions; created to foster a bond unlike any other between man and child. A protector. A provider. Love. Thank you for your unending sacrifices and unconditional love. Father’s are often viewed as a symbol of safety and security; creating a space worthy of a growing child to feel secure within their home. A symbol of strength and dedication to the family unit as a whole. Thank you to the millions of father’s who have set an example to young spirits across the globe. Teaching young men what it means to be a man of quality whilst teaching young women how a man of quality operates. Thank you for being an amazing role model.
To all fathers and father figures alike, fathers working multiple jobs to provide, single fathers, step fathers who love unconditionally… Your efforts do not go unnoticed. The hearts of your children are full because of your triumphs and efforts.
