Can A Clean Mirror Heal Us?
Last September, I wrote a blog on What Recovery Means to Me to share the lessons I have learned and am still learning in my recovery process. One of the promises I made and kept was to return to college and finish my undergraduate degree. By the grace of my Higher Power and with a lot of determination, I re-enrolled at Temple University. The year was 2013, and I was back at TUUUUUUUU!!! However, I faced another roadblock. What will be my major? Do I finish my degree in African-American studies? Or do I listen to the suggestions I got while in rehab from my fellow 12-steppers, peers, and staff to pursue a degree in social work or psychology program? I had the right attitude, awareness, and temperament for such an undertaking. Decisions, decisions, decisions! Ultimately, I felt it was important to give back as an African-American man and continue my bachelor’s degree in African-American studies. As we celebrate Black History Month, I wonder if accurate teachings of African-American history can help heal the mental well-being of the African-American community. In her book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing, Dr. Joy DeGruy shares that post-traumatic slave syndrome is the cause of many of the “adaptive survival behaviors in African-American communities throughout the United States and [...]