The #BlackLivesMatter movement began in 2013 after the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman in Seminole County, Florida. The movement began with organizers Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi.
According to the Engaging Minorities in Prevention Outreach Wellness Education and Research Lab, Racial Trauma is the result of experiencing and witnessing racial stressors including racism, discrimination and violence against people of color. These acts of racism and discrimination create an environment in which a person of color feels unsafe and vulnerable in their community simply for existing in their own skin.
To learn more about the effects of racial trauma, ways to cope or how to be a better ally, please click here to view more (access a text version of this content).
Review additional resources below.
Review videos below.
In this box, students can watch videos on Valencia's Courageous Conversations Series and select videos from Emmanuel Acho's Uncomfortable Conversations YouTube series. Review videos by clicking on tabs to the right.
Below you will find a list of suggested e-books from the library. When prompted, your login will be your Atlas username and password.
Watch the following videos from Valencia's 2019 Courageous Conversations Series.
Watch the following video, where "Emmanuel Acho sits down to have an “uncomfortable conversation” with white America, in order to educate and inform on racism, system racism, social injustice, rioting & the hurt African Americans are feeling today."
Watch the following video, where "Matthew McConaughey sits down with Emmanuel Acho to have an uncomfortable conversation with a black man."
Why a Black Student May want to seek out a Black Therapist:
For some Black and African American students, one of the most important factors in finding a therapist is having a shared racial identity. Many students find comfort in knowing that there’s a level of cultural competence, values and experiences; including racism, oppression and intergenerational trauma. There are several other reasons that might prevent Black/African American students from seeking therapy such as:
Use the lists below as a starting place to help you find a therapist or wellness resource:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Leading Causes of Death Report (2018), suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 34 in the United States. It is a major concern across campuses, colleges, and universities. Valencia is committed to viewing this concern in a different lens and ready to provide resources to those in need. There is something called Stigma that associates itself around Suicide which causes people to shy away from the conversation or to reach out for help.
Please educate yourself. Please reach out for help. Let’s have a courageous conversation about Suicide. Let’s help save somebody’s life. There is still hope. Let’s learn more.
