What is Racial Trauma?
How does Racism Cause Trauma?
Many people familiar with racism may be aware that the American Public Health Association recognizes it as a public health crisis. But how do everyday experiences of racism, discrimination, and microaggressions impact mental health and trauma responses? How does it manifest in our bodies, thoughts, and emotions?
Understanding Racism
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines racism as a system that structures opportunity and assigns value based on racial characteristics—influencing everything from interpersonal interactions to access to quality education, housing, and employment. Racism not only harms the mental health of marginalized racial groups but also limits the full potential of society as a whole.
The APA outlines 4 levels of racism:
Structural: Broad policies, laws, and societal norms that create racial disparities, systematically disadvantaging BIPOC individuals.
Institutional: Discriminatory practices within organizations, such as racial bias in healthcare or education.
Interpersonal: Direct actions by dominant racial groups that harm others—this includes slurs, harassment, and microaggressions.
Internalized: The subconscious or conscious acceptance of negative racial stereotypes by individuals within marginalized groups, leading to self-doubt and diminished self-worth.
Racism as a Source of Trauma
Psychologists use the term race-based traumatic stress to describe the ongoing nature of racial trauma. Unlike a single traumatic event, racial trauma often persists as a constant, looming stressor—ranging from isolated hate crimes to the daily burden of discrimination.
Racial Trauma in Therapy
Therapists must validate the reality of racism as an external, persistent stressor rather than attributing trauma symptoms solely to personal shortcomings. Therapy can help individuals identify and process the subtle, implicit ways racism affects mental health.
How Racism Manifests in Our Bodies, Thoughts, and Emotions
Body: Hypervigilance and hyperarousal can leave individuals feeling perpetually tense, unable to relax, and constantly on guard for potential threats. While these responses are self-protective—especially for Black individuals who face disproportionate risks—being in a constant state of alertness can take a severe toll on mental and physical health.
Thoughts: Racial trauma can lead to pervasive negative thinking patterns, such as black-and-white thinking, distrust, or hopelessness. While recognizing injustice is valid, thoughts like "No one is safe" or "I will always be discriminated against" can become overwhelming and maladaptive.
Emotions: Chronic exposure to racism can contribute to persistent feelings of fear, sadness, anxiety, anger, or shame, while also making it harder to experience joy, hope, or connection. Though negative emotions in response to racism are valid, therapy can be a helpful tool for those who find these feelings overwhelming and pervasive in daily life.
Start your Journey to Heal from Racial Trauma
If you experience these symptoms of trauma as an effect of racism and ongoing systemic oppression, you are welcome to reach out to me to start your individual therapy journey (California residents only). You can also read more about road maps you can expect during trauma-informed therapy as well as trauma related symptoms like dissociation.
This post was inspired by my original blog post for Woven Together Trauma Therapy.
