This week we mark the anniversary of the white supremacist violence of August 11-12, 2017. The horrific events of three years ago are a part of the long and continuing legacy of systemic racism—including the enslavement of Africans in Virginia beginning in 1619; the lynching of John Henry James in Albemarle County in 1898; Black residents of Charlottesville being arrested at far higher rates than people of any other race within the past five years; and, nationally, in 2020, the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
The psychological impacts of these ongoing traumas are clear: The lack of safety for Black Americans leads directly to mental health distress and anguish (a topic Michelle Obama recently spoke about—read her words below). In order to provide safe spaces for support in our community, The Women's Initiative Sister Circle Program is offering a number of virtual programs for Black women this August and September. See below for details. And during the pandemic our "virtual doors" continue to be open to provide culturally responsive support through Call-in Clinics and individual counseling.
(For additional culturally responsive resources, see our post "Racism and Police Brutality Cause Mental Health Trauma.”)
To register or for more information, click here
"Offer a shoulder to lean on, or ask for one yourself."
Michelle Obama recently spoke out about depressive feelings she has been experiencing due to the pandemic and ongoing racist violence. Her courage reminds us of the power of sharing our stories. She wrote these words of advice for anyone struggling in this time:
"I hope you all are allowing yourselves to feel whatever it is you’re feeling... I hope you’re also reaching out to all those you’re closest with, not just with a text, but maybe with a call or a videochat. Don’t be afraid to offer them a shoulder to lean on, or to ask for one yourself."
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