What are the Effects of Racial Trauma on the Black Diaspora and What Could Be the Benefits of Creative Expression as a Resilience Tool?

Abstract

The lack of adequate mental health services for people of African origin living outside of the continent, also known as the Black diaspora, is an issue that has been highlighted in recent months. The research questions this capstone seeks to answer is what are the effects of racial trauma on the Black diaspora and what could be the benefits of creative expression as a resilience tool? This capstone analyzes the historical trauma of this population including involuntary and forced exodus to the Americas and Caribbean. It also seeks to explore the continued impact of racial trauma through systemic oppression including health care and the prison industrial complex, microaggressions and internalization of racism. The present paper also seeks to understand the therapeutic impact of creative expression as a healing tool for the Black diaspora while aligning with ancestral knowledge. Lastly, this capstone seeks to offer some areas of curiosity for future research, some recommendations and a loose framework for community Healing Circles.