Had
this book been a million pages I would have read every one and this book could
very well have been because the stories of the actual happenings and the scars that this part of world history
has left, “the full has never been told”. I knew Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
(PTSS) was a keeper because when an author brings me to sobbing tears in the
first chapter it has to pack a power that is worth internalizing.
With
six very brief chapters in a little over two hundred pages Dr. Joy Degruy Leary
employs your thought processes, not with a history lesson, but with a cultural
evaluation that touches who you, your family, your community, the people on
your job and your country have been in reality for the past 400 years. Among
the many questions that may cross your mind as you are captivated in the pages
are: How much of this mind programming from slavery do I still manifest in my
life? How has my relationships and everyday interactions with people of
European descent been affected by this history of oppression? Wow! Did they
really do that?
Dr. Joy
Degruy Leary defines the last 385 years of life in America for people of
African descent as, “Being undesirable strangers in the only land we know…and
many Black people still believe the White people mean them harm.” Thus, “Post
Traumatic Slave Syndrome is multi-generational trauma and oppression with the absence
of opportunity and equal access to society’s benefits.” PTSS encompasses
several components, Vacant Esteem, Ever Present Anger, Racists Socialization
which results in issues of abuse in the family and community, Ineffectual
Parenting, Violence and Educational Disillusionment. Among these components,
the one that gave rise as an immediate need to evaluate was Vacant Self Esteem.
Note esteem is not a feeling. As Dr. Joy Degruy Leary explains, it is you
knowing your value to yourself, family, community and world. In other words, what is your
purpose? She states that the groundwork for esteem begins at birth. The value
of the child must be acknowledged by the family with smiles, hugs, kisses,
words of praise, encouragement, opportunity to serve and shown appreciation for
their services. Every adult I know needs this as well. Dr. Joy Degruy Leary
also inundates the reader with a series of questions for measuring your worth. How
much do you contribute to the success of others? To what degree is the world a
better place because of your existence?
Hmmmm?
In the
chapter, Slavery’s Children, Dr. Joy Degruy Leary interweaves a practical
analysis of direct and easily identifiable scenarios that will open your eye to
the truth of the syndrome being very real for many people of African and
European descent. Do you fall into one of the health statistics of HBP, HIV,
diabetes, obesity, homicide or abortions? Have you ever had or continue to have
dysfunctional relationships? Have you ever felt shame for being Black?
Dr. Joy
Degruy Leary doesn't just talk about PTSS as a problem, she offers real time
solutions for both African and European Americans because it affects us all.
The last chapter is simply entitled, Healing. The layers of work involved in
the process of healing covers personal, family, community, culture, country and
world. For the self, it is ever so relevant that Dr. Joy Degruy Leary starts
this chapter with her return “home” to Africa.
Many have found healing from slavery’s deprivations begins with this
journey. She was told by a sister in South Africa, “Did you think that we would
forget you? I am from Lesotho, Lesotho is my home. If I leave Lesotho, Lesotho
is still my home…we are so proud of you, we just wondered when you were coming
home.” In her encouragement for the healing of our communities and culture she
adds, “How is it that a people who suffer generation upon generation from
abuses such as these and more still manage to rise! We are a people of uncommon
strength and fortitude. …if we are to move ahead and thrive we need to truly
understand and accept who we are as a people.”
As a
professional writer, no doubt from her many years of education to become a
doctor, Dr. Joy Degruy Leary provides a sequence that makes the writing flow
easily and keeps the pages turning. Also that professional air comes through on
just a few words that you may have to pull the dictionary out for. The
bibliography and references compiles a list of some of the best historical
writers and text on the experiences and historical accounts of slavery and its
aftermath.
In
conclusion, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a book to teach the children from.
Dr. Joy Degruy Leary says we must make sure that our beliefs are working for us
every day. We believe then perceive the world in the way that validates our
beliefs. What do you believe about being who are you, and what will you teach
your child to believe? She also wanted us to KNOW, “the road to life is long and hard
and you should not try to walk it alone. You need people to help you along the
way.” Dr. Joy Degruy Leary has gifted the world with a functional text
to acknowledge and heal from Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome.
“Kasserian
Ingera!” – The Masai
Dr. Akua Gray
November 17, 2013
Accra, Ghana
No comments:
Post a Comment