Yes, some activists say. The prescription is as old as the Black struggle itself
By Janice Hayes Kyser
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES – President-elect Donald Trump’s relentless spewing of hateful and racist bile during and after the recent presidential campaign continues to fuel anxiety among many Black activists who fear that a four-year bout with naked oppression is just around the bend.
Those activists say, however, that racism and hate against communities of color are nothing new in America — and that this stubborn virus can be defeated with the same prescription practiced by generations of Black and Brown people — activism, unity, dogged determination and self-care.
ANALYSIS
“There’s no doubt that the next four years will be a rough and bumpy ride for many African Americans. [But] we know what it’s like to be in hostile territory,” says author and activist Earl Ofari Hutchinson. “We had Reagan for eight years. We had Bush for eight years. And we had Trump for four years. We can do this.
“The template for our struggle against racism is well established, we just have to use it,” he added, citing protest marches, lawsuits, political lobbying and support of advocacy groups as among the tools African Americans can use to survive during Trump’s second term in office.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass adds that marginalized groups need to work together to help overcome hate and hostility.
“Standing together is how we emerge stronger, safeguarding our neighbors, our rights and our shared values,” said Bass, a longtime community organizer and civic advocate before she turned to politics. “As we look to the months and years ahead, we will continue our work to empower and protect our communities.”
Clinical psychologist Kimberly Finney, a professor at L.A.-based Alliant International University, says in addition to unifying, African Americans should protect their mental and physical health. That means exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep and connecting with the community, she said.
“No one is going to take care of us, but us. When we’re under attack, we must focus on ourselves and each other,” said Finney, who advises people to seek support in civic groups, family or friends.
“Our ancestors have undergone so much worse, so we are going to be OK, but we have to be good to ourselves,” she said. “Four years will come and go and there will be another challenge, but one thing is certain: We have to stick together over these next 48 months and be there for each other — no blaming, no finger pointing, just supporting each other the best we can.”
Psychologist and author Erlanger Turner agrees, adding that the key to surviving adversity is to develop resilience.
“Relationships, spirituality, cultural identity, and creative expression are critical for cultivating resilience,” Turner said. “These areas encourage creating a support system that encourages self-love, community solidarity, and a collective sense of purpose, even in the face of adversity.”
Such activism allows marginalized people to repel oppression while also affirming their own worth and dignity, he said, enhancing their self-esteem and psychological well-being.
This strength will be crucial to helping disenfranchised people cope with the barrage of hate that likely will confront African Americans over the next four years, some leaders say. Much of this vitriol already has surfaced in the form of racist texts sent to Black people nationwide before and after the Nov. 5 election.
Text messages saying “You’ve been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation” were anonymously sent to hundreds of Black recipients in 30 states — including California, prompting an inquiry by federal and state authorities.
During such challenging and uncertain times, Black people must steadfastly look forward with hope while still looking back to gather strength and wisdom from the ancestors, says Los Angeles-based historian Allison Rose Jefferson.
“We have overcome a lot over the last 500 years and things have changed, even though arguably, not enough,” Jefferson said. “We must retain hope and continue to do the work and draw strength from the accomplishments of those who came before us.
“This is a momentary assault on our rights,” she added. “We will prevail because we are on the right side of social justice and history.”
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Libraryvia California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Janice Hayes Kyser is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers.
