by Tadiwa Tandy
Our first post was titled, ‘The Generous Gifts of African Women’. It holds a special place in our hearts because it details how generational trauma can impact your family and community.
However, we have identified a few problems with this post - it offers no solutions.
Addressing generational trauma is about identifying where families or communities have experienced a wound, how that wound has affected them and how we can come together to care for that wound.
So we have created a guide based on care, community and intention to accompany you through this undertaking.
Like all women, black women are expected to have it all. Yet unlike most women, Black women are also the least cared for demographic group in the world. Black women are considered unattractive even by other Black men, we are often the least educated and the least employed group. This therefore makes us among the most vulnerable groups and according to research the most susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
So, how can black women be expected to thrive?
Maslow’s Hierachy of Needs dictates that our basic needs must be met before we can address our psychological and self-fulfilment needs. Poverty, as a result of colonialism and capitalism, is a traumatic experience felt for generations and is understandably important to address in pursuit of wellness. Nonetheless, we do not realise our potential for trauma can be mitigated or decreased through the relationships we foster.
As reported by Faith Bunch, corporal punishment is viewed as a form of violence originating during slavery which can have long-lasting effects. This sort of unresolved trauma from generations prior can be experienced along with present trauma from poverty or even the recent global pandemic. Still, during these times, a helping hand is welcome to relieve the stress of traumatic events and provide a shoulder to lean on.
Collectivism is a big part of African culture. We believe that we are heavily intertwined with one another and are affected by the actions of our neighbours. Collectivist groups are typically concerned with the community and place great importance on communal relationships and social norms. Collectivist groups are also interdependent. Whereas individualistic groups focus on personal goals and are independent. They also focus on exchange relationships along with a prioritisation of individuality.
Each of these traits offers value but using them at appropriate times is a matter of choice. Africans are stripped of their belief systems without the freedom to choose otherwise due to circumstances. Often we believe interdependency means weakness. However, contextualising our experience within a group provides black people with the opportunity to reach out to one another for support and connection. Our ability to lend a helping hand during times of need is dwindling. Individualism, with all its benefits, can have some negative effects on the pursuit of holistic wellness. It can result in loneliness and higher levels of stress.
A combination of intentionality and community is suggested as a solution to the black community’s lack of choice.
Intentionality does not imply closing your eyes and wishing upon a star. Intentionality is a practical and rational attitude toward our circumstances combined with a commitment to act. Intentionality guides our actions by allowing us to take a realistic look at our situation and find reasonable solutions.
By employing the help of our community or engaging in community efforts we can build a support network with the capacity to yield careful results that make an impact on both us and the people around us.
Kurapa Moyo’s Wellness4theGirlies Program forms part of these efforts. A program dedicated to supporting teen girls in adopting healthy habits with the hopes that they grow into young women who have healthy tools to help them navigate life.
Kurapa Moyo will also be hosting a free virtual event with Dr. Zainab Monisola Olitan from the University of Pretoria on the 28th of August. Here Dr. Olitan will be discussing the economic and gender challenges associated with women’s development in a seminar titled ‘Honouring Women’s Resilience’.
Dr. Zainab Monisola Olaitan is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. She is also a Research Associate at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation, University of Johannesburg. She completed her PhD degree in Political Science from the University of Pretoria with her thesis titled ‘gender quotas and the substantive representation of women in African politics: case studies of Botswana and South Africa’.
Dr. Zainab’s research focuses on locating women across different sectors with a central question on how are women represented in Africa? She is deeply interested in understanding the impact of women's political participation on the qualitative well-being of African women across different sectors. She has published widely in journals, book projects, policy briefs on themes bordering on feminist thought, gender and representation, African indigenous knowledge systems, conflict and peace studies. Zainab is a member of the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), the African Indigenous knowledge Research Network (AIKRN) and the Sexual Reproductive Justice Coalition. RSVP to join the community and save yourself a seat at the table.
The circumstances of our communities are not without reason. We have long histories of oppression and subjugation to those who have conquered us resulting in a people without choice. As part of our journey towards wellness, we employ the power of intention, community and care to better serve ourselves and others. With these values in mind, we can:
Lend a helping hand and relieve the stresses of an individualistic society
Further, your capacity to be of assistance to others by supporting the group
Make a reasonable commitment to action while keeping in mind the reality of your circumstances
Make a valuable impact which addresses the most pertinent needs in your community
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The power of intention, community and care can reverse the negative effects capitalism, slavery and oppression have had on black communities and return the people’s choice.
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