• Latest
There is a message in the Pause

Removed, yet connected

2 years ago
Caribbean Nations must fight harmful fisheries subsidies

Postponement of Election of Representative for Agriculture and Fisheries Senator  

8 mins ago
PM out of State for regional meeting

Cornwall is Acting Prime Minister while PM is in The Bahamas

54 mins ago
Government says “no physical altercation” between journalist and junior minister

Grenadian becomes first person from Caricom to head UNFCCC Secretariat

2 hours ago
PM out of State for regional meeting

PM out of State for regional meeting

5 hours ago
G3 awards Charcoals Grill-to-Go

G3 awards Charcoals Grill-to-Go

7 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 15 August 2022

7 hours ago
Grenada celebrates 75 Years of Indian Independence

Grenada celebrates 75 Years of Indian Independence

22 hours ago
Crew members of Harbour Master plead guilty

Crew members of Harbour Master plead guilty

1 day ago
Tropical Weather Outlook: Monday, 15 August 2022 (2 am)

Tropical Weather Outlook: Monday, 15 August 2022 (2 am)

1 day ago
Tropical Weather Outlook: Sunday, 14 August 2022 (2 pm)

Tropical Weather Outlook: Sunday, 14 August 2022 (2 pm)

2 days ago
Breaking News: Charged For “Causing Death by Dangerous Driving”

Captain and crew of Harbour Master to appear in court Monday

2 days ago
Honouring Margaret Roberts Steele

Honouring Margaret Roberts Steele

2 days ago
NOW Grenada
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Removed, yet connected

This story was posted 2 years ago
12 June 2020
in OPINION/COMMENTARY
3 min. read
Melisse Ogilvie
Share

by Melisse Ogilvie, Social Worker

Along with the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, our brothers and sisters in the United States have had to deal with another life-threatening issue, Racism.

Although we in Grenada are geographically removed from this situation, we have been indirectly affected by this scourge.

Institutional racism, racial violence and harassment understandably have adverse psychological impacts. Victims often present with symptoms of racial trauma or race-based stress. The symptoms are fear, anxiety, depression, helplessness and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We need to understand that the trauma created by racism not only impacts the mental wellbeing of the victims, but also those who are in some way connected, like you and me.

We may not have understood why we felt so affected by these unfortunate events given that we are thousands of miles away. Even though, you might not have experienced racism directly, you might have friends and family who have been victims. Whichever way we look at it, we are connected to the events because we identify with the victims on the basis of race…or simply because we identify with issues of injustice as human beings. This connection puts us at risk of vicarious trauma or vicarious racism. Vicarious trauma, in this context, refers to the indirect experience of the racial discrimination as a result of hearing about or seeing another person’s experience.

The horrifying images and frequent commentary in the media may also produce an emotional response in us, such as feelings of numbness, emptiness and helplessness; or being totally lost for words. You may also find yourself becoming hyper-aroused or extremely careful. This is the danger of vicarious trauma; it impacts you when you hear other people’s stories.

Feelings of anxiety, confusion, helplessness and threat are expected when you think that this could happen to you or someone close to you. For instance, one friend shared that watching the video of George Floyd’s “murder” reminded her of her brother’s many traumatic encounters with the police in New York. The video evoked feelings of anxiety and fear for her brother’s life and safety. Those of us who have relatives in the United States may identify with having similar emotions.

In light of the protests over the last couple weeks, and the repeated highlighted incidents of racial injustice in the USA, many of us may experience an altered view of the United States like never before, therefore, we may travel there with trepidation, and be hypervigilant when we do. We may become acutely aware and more careful in what we do and where we go. Unfortunately, feelings of safety and freedom when we travel may be replaced by fear and anxiety.

If you have had a personal experience with any form of racism, the events may be a trigger for you. I remember speaking with my Nigerian friend right after the video footage of Ahmaud Arbery’s “murder” was released. At that time, she was experiencing sleeplessness and anxiety, as the video caused her to relive her own experiences of racism as a young person living in Austria, and again as a student in the United States.

We will continue to grieve and stand in solidarity with People of Colour in the United States, as we all have been impacted by these horrific events.

  • What can we do to heal from the impact of vicarious or racial trauma?
  • We can care for ourselves by seeking help to alleviate fears and anxiety.
  • We can protect our minds by monitoring and limiting our exposure to the horrific images on television and social media.
  • We can seek social support.
  • We can get involved in discussions and activities that promote racial socialisation. Put simply, we can join the movement.

Let us fight the injustices and support our brothers and sisters in their quest to radically change their experience and let us continue to work here at home to foster tolerance and love in every area of our lives.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
Tags: black lives matterblacklivesmatterblmmelisse ogilviepost-traumatic stress disorderptsdracism
Next Post
Grenada’s remarks at ALBA summit 10 June 2020

Grenada’s remarks at ALBA summit 10 June 2020

Comments 2

  1. Mike Hunt says:
    2 years ago

    Glad you cleared that up mon. It’s been bugging me for ages.

    Reply
  2. We are watching says:
    2 years ago

    Hey Grenadians!!
    Do not foster tolerance!!
    It will destroy you and your nation!!
    Draw a line in the sand!!
    Differentiate right from wrong, righteousness from unrighteousness, holy from unholy because righteousness will exalt a nation but sin brings reproach. Love!!

    Reply

Comment on post Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.