Lynching in the United States became exceedingly popular after the Civil War. Lynching was supposed to be an extrajudicial practice only for murderers and rapists, similar to the death penalty. However, it mainly served as a means to preserve white supremacy over black people after slavery. Simply put, lynching was racial terrorism. The act of…
The legacy of racism and oppression in America has given birth to an insatiable need for leadership within the black community. Throughout black people’s time in North America (supposedly beginning in 1619) many leaders have emerged to contribute to the advancement of blacks. During slavery, there was Frederick Douglass, known for his anti-slavery abolitionism and oratory skills.…
Between cultural incompetence and reimbursement requirements from insurance companies, I don’t know which is more responsible for misdiagnosing more minority children–particularly black boys. ADHD is probably the most diagnosed mental illness amongst mental health agencies. In my work as a therapist, nearly every black child I’ve treated had a diagnosis of ADHD on their record.…
We are now living in an era where people are finally addressing mental illnesses. And the main topics of discussion are the two most prevalent disorders–anxiety and depression. There’s plenty of info out about the signs and symptoms of these disorders. There are even a lot of famous people who are coming forward about their…
In a world fixated on perfection, it’s easy to fall into the mental trap of blending into the herd. Every day you wake up and wash your face, looking into the mirror, ignoring one of the rarest masterpieces ever created. . .you. So often we let our imagination and envy of other people’s lives run…
General anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders. And so few people understand that the persistent worry they experience day-to-day can cross over into a mental illness if it’s not managed properly. As a matter of fact, most people don’t even know exactly what anxiety is. They just know the feeling without actually…
Ziarekenya Smith, 28, born and raised in Detroit, MI has extensive experience in digital arts that goes all the way back to his childhood. According to Ziarekenya, he was an average student in high school, but once he got into college, everything changed! In 2014, Ziarekenya graduated from Full Sail University in Orlando, FL with…
Let’s face it, life is unfair. There is always something that holds you back from accomplishing the things that you want out of life. There is always a situation, a person, or a thing that blocks the pathway to your goals. And what makes it seem a thousand times worse is that others seem to…
Athletes are beginning to be more open about their struggles with mental health issues. Boxer, Adrien “the problem” Broner is having is no stranger to problems. Legal problems, problems in the ring–and recently what appears to be–mental health problems. As talented as a fighter Broner is, we know more about his outside the ring antics…
There has always been a strong connection between hip-hop music and mental health. The stories told in rap are the main thing that draws people in. It’s almost as if you can’t be a rapper without having a story. Sometimes, the story is just about the “turn-up” or “balling out.” But at times, the music…
