Key Concept #1 Societal oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia) is trauma-inducing.
- Experiences traditionally considered to be traumatic (e.g., assault, abuse, sudden loss) happen in the context of societal oppression. Societal oppression evokes the same neurobiology as other forms of trauma, and we refer to this as sociocultural trauma. When people experience both traditionally-defined trauma and sociocultural trauma, there is a synergistically adverse effect (see Figure 2.1). Thus, addressing sociocultural trauma is crucial to any trauma-informed approach. For example, if a practice, procedure, or policy is not racially just, it is not trauma-informed.
- Structural Racism is a system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms work in various, often reinforcing ways to perpetuate racial group inequity. It identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with "whiteness" and disadvantages associated with "color" to endure and adapt over time. Structural racism is not something that a few people or institutions choose to practice. Instead, it has been a feature of the social, economic, and political systems in which we all exist (Aspen Institute).
Figure 2.1. Synergistic Effects of Trauma
Key Concept #2 Combating injustice is central to creating trauma-informed schools. Structural racism and the resulting sociocultural trauma are embedded in school systems and thus must be addressed in order to prevent schools from being a source of trauma.
- Examples of how structural racism shows up in schools:
- The racial achievement gap, which refers to the racial disparities in standardized testing, graduation rates, etc., is one example of the systemic impact of sociocultural trauma.
- The "school to prison pipeline," in which punitive and exclusionary disciplinary measures have resulted in students of color and students with disabilities being disproportionately suspended and expelled from school and ending up in the juvenile justice and prison population, is another devastating example of sociocultural trauma's systemic impact.
- Tia Martinez presentation "Mapping the School to Prison Pipeline" - 1.5 hrs
- School-to-Prison Pipeline overview video - 1.5 minutes
- A Tale of Two Cities video describing health inequity - 2 minutes
Key Concept #3 We all have multiple dimensions of identity, often with different levels of power/privilege associated with each identity characteristic (see Figure 2.2).
- Race, gender, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, education, etc. all intersect within each of us as individuals and contribute to how we move about the world and are perceived and treated by others.
- Being aware of intersectionality and how the various categories that we fall into are on the up-side and/or down-side of power in our society allows us to interact responsibly with one another in a way that promotes equity and creates a sense of belonging for each of us.
Figure 2.2. Wheel of Power and Privilege
Key Concept #4 Due to the "smog" of biases that we live in, we all have biases and are vulnerable to enacting them. It is our responsibility to be aware of our own biases and to prevent our biases from causing harm.
- Even as early as preschool, Black children, especially Black boys are over-surveilled for the possibility of inappropriate behavior by teachers.
- Black children are more likely to be seen as older and thus not viewed with the same "childhood innocence" as their white same-aged peers.
- Conditions characterized by stress, auto-pilot, ambiguity, and lack of feedback exacerbate the enactment of implicit bias. Implementing strategies to mitigate these conditions can help to prevent sociocultural trauma.
- Microaggressions are one way that our biases can cause harm. Microaggressions are defined as everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely on their marginalized group membership.
Key Concept #5 We can mitigate the effects of bias to overcome sociocultural trauma.
- Even though structural oppression is embedded into our interactions and institutions, there are effective practices, protocols, and procedures that we can put in place at both the individual and organizational levels to prevent or repair the harm that can result from biases.
Key Concept #6 Dismantling structural oppression and promoting inclusion and belonging is a lifelong journey (individually and systemically).
- Combatting and dismantling systems of oppression is a process over time. We are bound to make mistakes and have setbacks from time to time, but creating meaningful change requires each of us to continuously do what we can, step by step, as individuals and as organizations.
- We are working towards a sense of inclusion and belonging. Verna Myers, a leading expert in diversity and inclusion, says that, "Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance." Taking it a step further, belonging is a feeling of, "I am welcomed here for who I am and what I bring. I belong because I contribute and I make a positive difference. I can be my authentic self."
