Trauma rooted in racism has been a consistent experience in the history of the United States. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and Breonna Taylor in Louisville remind us again that racism continuously inflicts deep pain and trauma among Black people, Indigenous people, and communities of color. Let us not forget, also, the lives of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Alberta Spruill, Rekia Boyd, Tamir Rice, the congregants of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, and many other Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people who have been victims of lethal violence by state-supported institutions rooted in racial oppression and white supremacy.
The Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice/National Trauma Campaign mourns the loss of more Black lives and stands with those working to eradicate racism and trauma.
The trauma of witnessing police brutality comes at the same time as the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately impacting Black, Indigenous and other people of color laying bare longstanding injustices. As we continue to advocate for policies and practices that promote health and wellness, we must find ways to acknowledge the trauma that racism has and continues to cause and work to dismantle it.
We must move forward together, unified with a core mission to make life better for ourselves and those yet to be born. We will continue to listen to those impacted by racism and examine our own biases.
We know that words alone cannot heal the pain that is felt right now across the country and that action is necessary to bring about the equitable and trauma-informed society that can support the flourishing of everyone. We are working to define our action steps and we stand in solidarity with all people who are working to bring about this change.
With love and in solidarity,
The Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy
and Practice/National Trauma Campaign