Racial Trauma and Systemic Racism Resources

Resources in Support of Ending Systemic Racism and Healing from Trauma

Systemic Racism, Trauma, and How to Talk about Race

Center for Urban Education at USC: Racial Equity Webinar Series.  Recordings available on demand.

CORA Learning: Responding to Racial Bias and Microaggressions in the Online Environment and other related webinar recordings. 

TED.com, 6/3/20 TED talk: "The path to ending systemic racism in the US."  Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, Rashad Robinson, Dr. Bernice King, and Anthony D. Rero discuss dismantling the systems of oppression and racism responsible for tragedies like the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others.

Sminthsonian: "Talking about Race."  Resources to help guide discussions whether you are an educator, parent, ally, etc. as well as educational material on US History, Implicit Bias, Social Identities and Systemic Oppression...

New York Times Magazine, 6/24/15: "Racism's Psychological Toll."  An informative article.

Sociological Theory, 2016: "The Trauma of the Routine: Lessons on Cultural Trauma from the Emmett Till Verdict by Angela Onwuachi-Willig."  Professional publication.

Race Forward: "What is Systemic Racism?" An 8-part video series.

Cultural Somatics: Training & Institute is offering a Free Racialized Trauma Course.  This is a five session ecourse.

Institute for the Development of Human Arts: "Our Struggles Are Intertwined: intersections of Mental Health and Oppression" with Mariel Buaue, PhD and Noah Gokul.  This course is free through the month of June.

Resources for Healing from Racial Trauma

Black Wellness Guide: Self-Care Resources for Healing and Overcoming Racial Trauma. Updated 6/19/20.

Being Well Podcast on Institutional Racism and Traumatic Stress with Dr. Alfiee 

"Black Lives Matter Meditations" by Dr. Candice Nicole.  Includes a meditation geared for Black individuals as well as a meditation geared for allies.  

Medium.com, 5/30/20: "The Four Bodies: A Holistic Toolkit for Coping with Racial Trauma" by Nappy Head Club.

People of Color create their own mental health services online.  The link includes the Asian Mental Health Project; Stay in, Check in; Liberate (meditation); National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network; Dipper (for Professionals of Color); Black Minds Matter UK.

Vice.com, 5/28/20: "Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Struggling With This Very Painful Week."

YouTube video made 6/22/15: "Emotionally Restorative Self Care: People of Color - Black People - African Americans."  A 9 minute video with suggestions for self-care.

HuffPost, 7/7/16: "5 Self-Care practices Black People Can Use While Coping With Trauma" by Taryn Finley.  Provides tips for self-care in relation to digital/social media usage.

Brooklyn Zen Center, People of Color Sangha offers meditation meetings online.  Upcoming Meetings June 13 and June 28 from 1:30-3 pm EST.

Liberate Meditation on the App Store.  Meditation app for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.

CA Gov, updated 6/3/20: Resources for emotional support and well-being.  While this page was developed in relation to COVID-19 support, there are several hotlines and websites that provide support on many topics, including coping with crises, substance problems, partner abuse, etc.

Finding a Therapist

Melanin & Mental Health: Connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.  Website includes podcasts and monthly events.

PsychologyToday.com: Relevant articles and a searchable database of therapists across the US.  Particularly useful if you are out of the area and would like to connect with a therapist in your hometown.

Being an Ally

Upcoming June 12 at 1 pm ET:  "Aspiring Anti-Racist Ally Identity Development"-- a free live webinar, recording and resources by Keith Edwards.  Click on website to register.

Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others -- a resource provided by Pepperdine University, Online program

Guide to Allyship.  Great guide on being an effective ally in the fight to end oppression.

New York Magazine, 6/3/20: 12 Anti-Racist Books Recommended by Educators and Activists by The Editors.

Mashable, May 31, 2020 Article: "How to demand justice for George Floyd and support Minneapolis protesters" by Natasha Piñon

Medium.com, 8/13/17: "75 Things White People Can do for Racial Justice" by Corinne Shutack.

Blog, 8/6/16: "Advice for White Folks in the Wake of a Murder of a Black Person" by Justin C. Cohen.

CNN, 5/30/20: "A guide to how you can support marginalized communities" by Harmeet Kaur.

Documentary (has aired on PBS several times), RACE: The Power of an Illusion from California Newsreel.

Being an Educational Leader

Harvard Business Review, May 1, 2020 Article: "How CEOs Can Support Employee Mental Health in a Crisis" by Ryan Smith

Education Week, Teacher Blog, June 1, 2020 Article: "'Teachers Cannot be Silent': How Educators Are Showing Up for Black Students Following Protests" by Madeline Will.

Morningside Center for Teaching & Social Responsibility, May 31, 2020 Article: "Listening Circle on George Floyd" -- suggestions on making space for your students to discuss their thoughts and feelings about recent events

How to Talk to Your Kids about Racism (a Resource for Parents)

WBEZ, Chicago's NPR News Source, "Advice on Talking To Kids About Racism, Protests And George Floyd's Death" by Meha Ahmad.  This is a 20 minute audio program.

NPR, 6/3/20: "From Freddie Gray to George Floyd: Wes Moore Says It's Time to 'Change The Systems.'"  Author, Wes Moore, interview by Terry Gross.  This includes written highlights from the interview as well as a 41-minute listen.

NPR, 6/3/20: "How A Mother Protects Her Black Teenage Son From The World."  Article and a 7-minute listen.

CAPS image

Dear Cal Poly Humboldt Community,

The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Stephan Clark, Tamir Rice and so many others are blatant reminders of the ongoing systemic racism in our country.  Such tragedies serve as a reminder of the vulnerabilities of being Black in a society that has not shed its racist roots.  

I, and the other members of the SHWS team, stand unified with Humboldt leadership in condemning racism and violence and upholding the dignity and equality of all members of our community.  Our team is committed to social justice and to moving our county and our country towards racial equality and a celebration, rather than condemnation, of our differences.  

Students, you can reach a therapist at anytime for immediate or scheduled support through TimelyCare, and you can make appointments at CAPS during business hours (707.826.3236).  Staff and faculty, please take advantage of the campus Employee Assistance (EAP) Program at 707.443.7358, which is offering brief counseling services remotely using a telehealth platform.  Anyone looking for a local therapist off campus can go to ncamhp.org to see a listing that is searchable by various filters.  If you would like to get involved in local advocacy, NAACP and Black Humboldt are great places to start.

I hope the resources above are of benefit.

In Solidarity,

Dr. Jen Sanford, Executive Director, Student Health and Wellbeing Services