The term historical trauma refers to a traumatic experience in the lives of several generations in a specific group of people united by racial, cultural, or ethnic characteristics. Examples of historical trauma in the history include different methods of harming an ethnic or cultural group, such as forced relocation and enslavement, genocide, and the use of biological warfare. Comparing and contrasting the historical trauma of Native Americans and African Americans provides an opportunity to see similarities in their life experiences.
The theory of historical trauma explains several problems in the life of modern Native Americans. Native American people experienced significant losses caused by systematic destructions. Firstly, the Native American population was exposed to diseases brought by Europeans, which significantly reduced their number. Furthermore, many Native Americans were purposefully killed and deprived of their homelands, which caused a loss of their national identity. According to Gone et al., historical losses such as loss of “traditional spiritual ways” and loss of language cause negative effects on the mental health of the indigenous population (23). The symptoms of historical loss include a variety of negative health outcomes ranging from depression and anxiety to alcohol dependence, suicidal ideations, sexual abuse, and drug use. Native Americans affected by historical loss often suffer from depressive tendencies, unemployment, and substance abuse.
Even though the historical trauma concept was developed to describe the experience of Native Americans, the concept can also be applied to African American population. African American population experienced historical trauma due to nearly three hundred years of enslavement of Black people through deprivation of pre-enslavement culture and traditions. In addition, after the end of slavery, African Americans were subjected to racial discrimination, segregation, prejudice, and police brutality. The historical trauma of African Americans resulted in a condition known as Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS). The symptoms of PTSS include anger issues, depressive tendencies, the feeling of powerlessness and hopelessness, and low self-esteem.
In conclusion, this paper examines the differences and similarities between the historical trauma experiences of Native Americans and African Americans. The essay defined that both populations experienced significant historical losses. However, racial discrimination against African Americans in modern society could be acknowledged as a separate case of historical trauma. Both populations suffer from historical trauma’s health consequences, which cause mental health problems. However, Native Americans’ mental health problems are known as historical loss symptoms, while the consequences of historical trauma in African Americans are known as PTSS.
Work Cited
Gone, Joseph P., et al. “The Impact of Historical Trauma on Health Outcomes for Indigenous Populations in the USA and Canada: A Systematic Review.” American Psychologist, vol. 74, no. 1., pp. 20-35.