Racial Trauma & African Americans

2016
Rick Wallace, Ph.D.
The Odyssey Project
3/17/2016

Understanding How Racial Trauma Impacts African Americans
The Odyssey Project
Research & Advisory Council
March 16, 2016
Rick Wallace, Ph.D.
A substantial amount of my research and studies has been dedicated to understanding the
collective dysfunctionality of African Americans. I have analyzed and developed theories to
explain the behavior of African Americans as it pertains to the general inability to effectively
respond to opportunities in life, or to guard against the nefarious and pestilential machinations
that are designed to perpetuate a substandard of existence for them. I have invested much into the
understanding of the influence of cognitive distortions and cognitive biases on the social
mobility and pathological behavior of a large portion of the African American community. In
addition to anatomizing the paradigms of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, I have developed a
number of theories that rest along the lines of cognitive theory.
The first theory I developed was the Collective Cognitive Bias Reality Syndrome theory, which
is a theory that seeks to explain the manner in which cognitive distortions influence how blacks
think, process stimuli, form habits and behave — through a systematic process of deviated
rationalization — serving to create a reality that is oppugnant to the one they seek. Subsequently,
I developed the Collective Dominative Cognitive Bias theory to explain the dominance of the
influence distorted cognitions in governing the entire existence of a significant number of
African Americans. Most recently, I developed the Cognitive Assimilation Deficiency theory
and the Cognitive Accommodation Deficiency theories to explain the inability of African
Americans to successfully engage neoteric stimuli that they perceive to be a threat.
What I have discovered during the process of my work is that there is a common denominator
that cannot be ignored. That common denominator is trauma. The birth of three new branches of
science has led to a recent explosion of knowledge about how the effects of psychological
trauma impact humans. These new schools of scientific study are neuroscience, the study of how
the brain supports mental processes; developmental psychopathology, the study of the impact of
adverse experiences on the development of mind and brain; and interpersonal neurobiology, the
study of how our behavior influences the emotions, biology, and mind-sets of those around us
(Kolk, 2014).
What we now know is that trauma, regardless of type or origin, compromises the brain area that
communicates the natural physical, embodied feeling of being alive. These changes in the brain
explain why traumatized individuals become hypervigilant in perceiving threats at the expense of
being able to live their lives in a spontaneous manner. These changes also help us understand
why traumatized people so often keep repeating the same problems and why they have such
trouble learning from experience. What was once believed to be the results of moral failings,

signs of the lack of willpower, or bad character, is actually due to the changes in the brain caused
by traumatic experiences (Kolk, 2014).
The principle aim of psychology is to develop an understanding of the individual variation in the
functioning of humans through the use of broad hypotheses, theories and research that is capable
of not only explaining the variations in human behavior, but creating the mechanisms and
instruments through which we can predict poor behavior in order to intervene in a manner that
palliates or even reverses the behavior.
While the average person will view variation in human behavior as coincidence or an abstract
anomaly, the psychologist, and the inherent analytical thinker, always believes that there is
discoverable and measurable explanation for every occurrence. While we may not always be able
to readily identify the origin of the behavior, we understand that causality is discoverable.
When it comes to the counterproductive and antisocial behavior of African Americans, it has
been the common practice to study it as a pathological behavior. In other words, it has most
commonly been examined under the model of psychopathology; however, I have discovered that
while pathology must be investigated when studying and developing treatments for antisocial
behavior, the trauma model, which does not place an emphasis on pathology, is able to explain
both, poor and palmary responses to stressful and traumatic events. Additionally, the trauma
model also offers suggestions about the best methods of intervention to efficaciously address and
improve functionality after a traumatic event. More importantly, the vast majority of these
intervention models are cost-effective and non-stigmatizing.
Understanding the Trauma Model
Trauma is a single or repetitive event that overwhelms the nervous system due to a real or
perceived threat. When there is a real or perceived threat, we, as humans, organize our
functioning for the purpose of responding to the threat.
For those who may be wondering why a perceived threat could cause damage, and compromise
the brain, it is because our nervous system does not do a very good job of distinguishing between
a real or perceived threat. Additionally, what is considered dangerous is not universal among
humans. Experience and the ability to reason can play an immense role in determining how a
person perceives a particular situation. For instance, in the same home, a parent raising a fist at a
three-year- old will likely incite fear, which can lead to a traumatic experience. Conversely, the
same parent raising their fist at their eight-year-old sibling will be responded to differently,
because the older siblings experience, and ability to process what is happening, allows them to
ascertain that the parent is simply gesturing in a playful manner.
The fact that perception frames the idea of what is dangerous, means past experiences play an
important role in determining how people interpret a situation in order to determine if a situation
or experience is dangerous. For instance, a man who, as a boy, was traumatized by domestic
violence that was characterized by loud shouting matches between his parents, may tend to
become anxious and agitated when amongst a room full of excited, and elated football fans.
Although the situation is not hostile, the association of loud raised voices and excitement with

violence, this man experiences a physiological effect. This same man, when in the midst of a
boisterous crowd, now holds his seven-year-old son’s hand anxiously, now the boy becomes
nervous in crowds. This simple example not only illustrates the role of perception in determining
what is dangerous, but it also illustrates how we can literally learn what is dangerous through
relationships, in addition to direct experience.
How does trauma impact human behavior? When there is an assumed threat, living organisms
will respond one of four basic ways: emotional withdrawal, physical distance, by freezing and
aggression. In instances where large groups of people are experiencing danger simultaneously,
the entire range of responses can be observed. These variations in threat-response can be
observed during any type of perceived threat among groups. There is no response to threats that
can be considered universally better than the rest. The best response is determined by the
situation and its underlying influence. The most optimal functioning is experienced when
humans are able to use any of these responses in the appropriate situation at the appropriate time.
Trauma occurs in two primary phases. The first phase is the arousal phase, which in where our
nervous system revs up for the purpose of efficaciously responding to the threat. During this
initial phase, our sense of time will become narrowed — losing our sense of the future — being
completely focused on the moment at hand. Next, we lose our capacity for empathy, becoming
more self-consumed, transitioning to primitive responses, such as fight-or-flight. Additionally,
we will rapidly scan our immediate environment to detect any additional threats. We will also
naturally gravitate to people who are similar to us, while becoming increasingly suspicious of
those we consider to be different. People who are highly functional, will be able to determine the
most appropriate course of action despite being emotionally aroused by a traumatic experience
— creatively creating or inventing new responses to the perceived threat, and they have the
capacity to immediately self-correct when the initial response is not proving efficacious.
The recovery phase of trauma is the period in which we begin to develop coping mechanisms to
assist us in processing the experience. The most functional individuals will actually learn from
their traumatic experience, developing an elevated sense of confidence and preparedness for
future situations that are similar in nature. They will be able to function at a higher level than
they did prior to the trauma.
Poor recovery from a traumatic experience can manifest itself in a number of different ways;
however, the most common response is constant hypervigilance, a response in which the person
lives their lives as if their traumatic event is perpetual. The person who responds to trauma in a
non-efficacious manner will remain sensitive and vigilant, constantly looking out for dangers.
They will generally have exaggerated responses to minimal or non-existent threats. There will go
to great lengths to avoid encounters with people or situations that have the capacity to trigger reexperiencing
the threat, or they will become numb to real and perceived threats, failing to
accurately perceive dangers. One way that some individuals are able to remain numb is that they
continue to create dangerous situations that serve to further desensitize them to the presence of
danger.

Generally, the level at which an individual is able to recover from trauma will determine how
well they will be able to function in the future. The manner in which we respond to trauma will
have a massive impact on how well we are able to deal with future stresses in life.
One of the most effective indicators of the likelihood of a person successfully recovering from
trauma is the presence of high-quality relationships that help them develop the coping skills that
will be vital to their recovery and future responses to threats — real or perceived.
Racism Perceived as Danger and Trauma
It is not uncommon for large-scale catastrophic, traumatic events to impact large groups, even
thousands or millions, as a normal course of human existence. These aeschylean events can
range from terrorist incidents, war, earthquakes, hurricanes and social upheavals.
The type of trauma that I focus on primarily is trauma that is the result of racial and social biases
that serve to negatively impact opportunity, safety and peace of mind for African Americans. I
view racial trauma in several distinct ways. First, I study intergenerational trauma that has been
passed down from generation to generation, being inextricably bound to slavery. Because freed
slaves were never treated for their trauma, they passed on their trauma to their progeny in a
number of ways, including biological, psychological, and philosophical transmission (Lev-
Wiesel, 2007; Danieli, 1998; Kellermann, 2001).
The next form of trauma that I am concerned with is domestic and environmental trauma, such as
child-molestation, physical abuse, or witnessing violence. While this is not directly associated
with racial bias, it definitely impacts how racial trauma is perceived and engaged. Finally, I also
look at the contemporary racial trauma, which is characterized by racially, culturally or
socioeconomically-motivated antagonistic behavior from people outside of the cultural periphery
of African Americans, specifically whites.
Like other forms of trauma, African Americans experience trauma and danger that can be
directly related to race, and these events overwhelm the nervous system. These dangers may be
real or perceived discriminatory acts, threats, police incidents, harm and injury and shaming and
humiliating events. These types of events tend to stand out in the memory of African Americans,
producing long-term negative effects how we perceive our social environments and ourselves.
Just as with the general population, there are some African Americans who are stronger and deal
with trauma more effectively than others. The problem is that a substantial number of African
Americans are living at or below the poverty line, meaning that this particular socioeconomic
group is less likely to be prepared to successfully respond to racial trauma.
The second manner in which African Americans are damaged due to racial trauma is through
witnessing harm and injury to another African American. This type of trauma is widely
recognized in the child abuse treatment field of psychology. Children and adults who witness
child abuse, or come in contact with a child abuse victim, will also suffer trauma.
One of the most prevalent ways that African Americans experience trauma is by living in
difficult social conditions that are directly related to race and poverty, resulting in traumatic
events that occur as a result of these conditions. Segregation, based on class and race is very

common in the U.S. While federal law prohibits discrimination, including segregation, based on
race, this does not protect African Americans from being isolated based on their inability to
afford inclusion. The communities in which African Americans live are generally aggressively
policed, socially isolated, have less access to resources for daily living and have high levels of
exposure to alcohol, drugs and guns.
As with any group, the recovery from trauma will vary, depending on how well-prepared each
person is.
Conclusion
There is a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data that suggests that the elevated rate of social
and health problems for groups of African Americans may, at least partially, be explained
through the use of the trauma model. One reason that I favor this model as a guide in
understanding black behavior is that it is not a deficit model, meaning that it will carry less
stigma, and it will create better opportunities for professionals to work with individuals and
groups. The trauma model proposes that African Americans can recover from trauma through
effective interventions that are designed to improve coping skills, while decreasing and avoiding
re-experiencing the trauma. Fortunately, these types of coping skills can be taught to African
Americans through a wide range of community-based programs, such as support centers, mental
health centers, schools and churches.
While there is still a substantial amount of work to be done, there is reason to be optimistic when
it comes to creating change.
By
Dr. Rick Wallace, Ph.D.
Other Resources by Dr. Rick Wallace include:
The Mis-education of Black Youth in America
The Invisible Father: Reversing the Curse of a Fatherless Generation
When Your House is Not a Home
Renewing Your Mind
Visit The Odyssey Project Site Here
The Blueprint 1.0

Bibliography
Danieli, V. (1998). Minority Students in Gifted and Special Education Programs: The Case for
Educational Equity. The Journal of Sepcial Education, 41-43.
Kellermann, N. P. (2001). Transmission of Holocaust Trauma - An Integrative View. Israel
Journal of Psychiatry, 256-267.
Kolk, B. V. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. New York: Penguin Publishers.
Lev-Wiesel, R. (2007). Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma Across Three Generations: A
Preliminary Study. Qualitative Social Work.