I CAN’T BREATHE

The words being heard around the world right now… I CAN’T BREATHE

I’m angered by the events that have happened; I’m saddened by them. I feel disappointed, helpless, and scared. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s likely that you are feeling the same way, whether a person of color or an ally. All of our hearts are heavy as we process what has happened in our city.

I ask you to use those emotions, don’t be just burdened by them. While it is an awkward and uncomfortable topic, it needs to be talked about and processed. Don’t be afraid to discuss it, to bring it up. Not talking about this can further the reasons these tragedies continue to happen.

With that being said and wanting to support our community as a whole, I also wanted to pass along some resources:

Books:

Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma

Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience

White Fragility

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria

How to Be an Anti-Racist

White Fragility

Podcasts:

AFFIRM by Redefine Enough Just Davia (The podcast for women of color who affirm their worth, value mental health, and seek wholeness.)

Naming It by Dr. Bedford Palmer & Dr. LaMisha Hill (The Mission of Naming It is to call out the elephant in the room, and to call in the voices of social justice that are normally muted.)

The Breakdown with Dr. Earl: A Mental Health Podcast (There are a number of Dr. Earl’s podcasts that are useful and helpful.

“Understanding the Ferguson, MO Crisis: A Counselor’s Perspective” with Ken Oliver

Counseling Af-Am Males post-Ferguson Transcript

Feel free to share these or reach out with any questions or if you just want to talk. My thoughts are with all of you as we navigate all of these events. And I’ll leave you with a quote that has inspired me in the midst of it all.

“You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.” – Maya Angelou

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