Where Can We Be Black?

Photo by Vlada Karpovich IG @vlada_vlada

​“Where can we be free?”
“Where can we be safe?”
“Where can we be Black?”
-       Solange
 
These are questions Black Americans have been asking themselves for far too long.  And for many Black people in America, daily, seemingly mundane, errands and outings can turn into experiences of aggression, violence, arrest and death.
 
Imagine going to a bank for a simple transaction and being accused of fraud and then having the cops called, read the story here. Imagine police using facial recognition technology and then falsely arresting you, read the story here.  These are just a few examples of the daily injustices of simply being Black.
 
As art therapists it’s important to understand the interconnectedness of racism and mental health.  Systemic racism and anti-Blackness directly impact Black mental health and well-being.  As we all continue to educate ourselves on these topics, here’s a great video to help start the conversation about race with kids.  CNN/Sesame Street Racism Town Hall Video.  Hopefully, when today’s youth become the bank clerks, baristas, sales associates, teachers, law enforcement, and mental health professionals, they will not continue these same practices of discrimination, racism, power and privilegde.  Let’s activate the change and make America a place where Black people feel free and safe to be Black.
 
Here are additional resources for anti-racism and equity education for kids.