Providing Comfort and Healing: Supporting Black Women with Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome

Cassandra

A collage I created in 2021 to represent the Black women I wanted the farm to serve.

I started therapy last month.

And while I always knew I wanted to because why not, I actually didn’t feel that I was in dire need of it.  I was wrong.

In our first call, towards the end…as we were closing, I happened to mention that I felt guilty for not working that hard at my corporate job.  I mentioned it as an aside, you know “Welp let me head back to work. I feel…”

My therapist looked quizzically at me and said something like “Wait. What?”.

What ensued changed everything I ever thought about myself or about the work I planned for Middleton Cooke Farms.

If you read through this blog post, I promise I’ll give you a really good synopsis about the real reason I created this “love letter” organization.

Some of you may know the term Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS). It’s a term coined by Dr. Joy DeGruy to describe the multigenerational trauma experienced by Black Americans as a result of slavery and its enduring consequences. Little did I know when I came up with the idea to create a farm that Black women, (like ME) in particular, bear the brunt of this trauma, dealing with the intersectionality of gender and race. I just thought I wanted to create a space for Black women to rest; a place to provide them (us) with comfort, healing, and support. Working with Aja, we even came up with a profile of the ideal “customer”.  We call her Cassandra.  

Y’all.  I’m Cassandra. And in this post, I felt it was time to tell you the real deal way that I plan to help empower and uplift Black women on their journey towards healing. Because it is vital and it is necessary.

Education and Awareness:

First, I’m starting by educating myself and raising awareness about PTSS and its impact on Black women. By understanding the historical context and systemic factors contributing to OUR trauma, Middleton Cooke Farms can better empathize with and validate our experiences. Sharing resources, hosting workshops, or inviting speakers to discuss PTSS will foster a more inclusive and informed environment.

Cultivating a Safe and Supportive Environment:

Creating safe spaces is crucial for Black women to feel comfortable discussing their experiences and seeking support. I want to encourage open and honest conversations amongst my peers; ensuring that racial bias and discrimination are not tolerated in our development.  

Mental Health Support:

Programming will prioritize mental health support programs specifically tailored for Black women with PTSS. This can involve offering employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide confidential counseling services. Collaborating with mental health professionals who specialize in trauma and racial disparities can ensure that the support provided is culturally sensitive and effective.

Collaboration with Community Organizations:

Partnering with local community organizations that specialize in supporting Black women will greatly enhance the resources available within the organization. These partnerships can lead to workshops, panel discussions, grants and educational events that promote healing, resilience, and empowerment. Engaging with these organizations also demonstrates the organization's commitment to social justice and racial equity.

By acknowledging the impact of PTSS and taking active steps to provide comfort and support, I can (and will) create a nurturing environment for Black women. Prioritizing education, cultivating a safe and supportive workplace, offering mental health support, and collaborating with community organizations are effective strategies. It is through these collective efforts that organizations can contribute to the healing and empowerment of Black women affected by PTSS; fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

This isn’t everything and I have so much to dive into for myself (shout out to therapy), but once I acknowledged that I too needed healing from PTSS, my own needs became an integral part of “the why” of this farm. 

In a previous post called “Why a Farm”, I glazed over the thought process.  Because guess what?  I didn’t really know (or feel) it all.  All I knew was that I was being driven…by some force, entity, inner child, whatever you want to call it.  And as we get closer to every phase in our organizational development, it’s becoming clearer and sharper.  YES! This farm is for “Cassandra”. But this farm is also for my mother, Emily Middleton, and her mother, Ellen Smith-Middleton, and her mother Eliza “Ma Liza” Smalls, and her mother Elvira, and all our mothers before; from James Island South Carolina, going all the way back to Yorubaland Nigeria.

And yes.  This farm is for me.  

Thank you for reading.

Peace, Kat