A Healing History

“There is no cure for history. It happened. It is happening.” Those first words of the Healing History self-study and discussion guide (Woll, 2021) point to some essential challenges for the behavioral health field.

If we want to respond effectively to the depth and breadth of the behavioral health challenges that African American communities face, we will need an understanding of our nation’s past and some of the ways it has led to our present—and how it is propelling us toward our future.

Published Chapters, Available Now!

Photo courtesy Thomas Bennie on Unsplashed

1. Africa: Ripe
for the Plunder

The history of Africa did not start with slavery. There were civilizations, governments, communities, families, cultures, customs, religions, learning, creativity, and people who died trying to save their loved ones from capture. Where were the stolen people of this thriving but vulnerable country taken?

Slave trade in Africa and the West Indies. Photo courtesy The Guardian Weekly, January 25 2021.

2. America: How
Did We Get Here?

It was a world where slavery and racism not only took hold, but also wielded incredible financial, political, and physical power. What were the motivations, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes that made that possible? How has the brand of slavery been burned into our society? How do we move toward healing?

Future Chapters

Chapter 3: Policies, Systems, and Instituions

How do inequitable policies affect systems and institutions? How do policies meant to deprive one population end up depriving others, too? How does inequity within systems affect the health and functioning of the institutions we all rely on? And what are we responsible for doing?

Chapter 4: Health Care for Black Lives

How deep are the roots of Black mistrust of health systems—including public health and behavioral health? Is it just about the past, or are health systems still failing African Americans in significant ways? How do we heal our policies and earn the trust necessary for public health and well-being?

Chapter 5: Strengths and Struggles

This final chapter will focus on the strengths that have helped and will continue to help African Americans overcome oppression, adversity, and inequity—and help their brilliance continue to change the world.