Theory links slavery, stress disorder

Boston Globe Online ^ | 11/12/2002 | By Marcella Bombardieri, Globe Staff

[Momaw Nadon]

Sekou Mims's son was 16 when he experienced a sudden psychotic breakdown. Over three months, the black teenager had a series of delusions - that white police were following him, that white strangers on a train were staring at him menacingly. He'd hyperventilate walking down the street. All his delusions revolved around racism.

[Momaw Nadon]

FYI and discussion

[IronJack]

HAHAHA! Now if these phonies can just get "Post-slavery Traumatic Stress Disorder" into the DSM-IV, they'll not only have made a further mockery of the so-called "science" of psychology, they'll have a verifiable medical condition that will allow them to collect some more welfare. Let's see if the medical community and the government play along with this scam.

[BADROTOFINGER]

When poison against the USA and whites are poured into the ears of minority children with consistency, of course it will settle in the brain. I would say that most of these kids are brainwashed into this 'syndrome' or 'disorder' or whatever they want to call it...JFK

[Notforprophet]

Ping

[ClearCase_guy]

I feel very guilty. Here -- take my wallet.

[Jaxter]

Of course slavery was a terrible thing. But, if not for slavery, how many black people living in the USA today would have been born? If I wish away slavery, I wish away every black friend I ever had and tens of millions I never met.

[Lil'freeper]

I sure hope the authors interview a few bona fide slaves in northern Africa so they can compare the stress of actual, contemporary slavery to whatever they imagine this is.

[RLK]

Mims, Reid, and Larry Higginbottom, another black social worker, recently taught a symposium at the Simmons Graduate School of Social Work and are writing a book about what they call ''post-traumatic slavery disorder'' - a derivative of post-traumatic stress disorder.

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When you write your book, be certain to include chapters on what effect black leaders such as Jessie Jackson and Louis Farrakhan have on the mentality of the Black World.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

The treatment for post-traumatic slavery disorder that Higginbottom, Reid, and Mims propose varies depending on whether someone is suffering from depression, schizophrenia, or something else, but it involves examining the individual's family history as a way to understand his or her present problems.

Everyone knows that the only treatment is continuous bed rest accompanied by large doses of reparations.

[RLK]

Mims, 46, grew up in poverty in Boston and spent a number of his adolescent years in reform school for petty crimes and assaults. Later, he joined the Nation of Islam and worked in human services for the court system and a halfway house, before earning a master's degree in social work. Reid, 44, grew up in the Nation of Islam and spent 14 years working as a psychologist in Boston Public Schools.

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Sure, you join a so-called religion that is realy noting but a self-perpetuating psychosis that reproduces itself, bring it home and force it upon your kids, then wonder why your kids are nuts. For this, you need a doctorate in psychology.

[Fred Hayek]

"further mockery of the so-called "science" of psychology"

The field is already at or approaching intellectual bankruptcy. The main cause of the demise of the field is its being overrun by "Lysenko" types - everything being politicized.

[Knitebane]

You know, I looked and looked in the posted article, but I couldn't find where or how long this kid was a slave.

But I feel his pain. Quick, everyone here that has ever owned a slave, get out your wallet and help this poor guy.

[Marylander]

This is total BS. Theories are a dime a dozen and politically or financially inspired theories are even cheaper.

[AngrySpud]

I still haven't gotten over what Genghis Khan did to my eastern European forebears. Massacres, slavery, pillaging ... I still wake up in a cold sweat. Is there help for me?

[Blood of Tyrants]

What a load of crap. I could fertilize 10 acres of ground just by reading this aloud outside.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Would $777 gajillion make you feel better?

[capt. norm]

What an interesting dual occupation: "driver and computer consultant".

[Dallas]

that white police were following him, that white strangers on a train were staring at him menacingly.

Juxtaposed against any white person traveling through Harlem/Watts/etc.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I would reply at length, but right now I have an appointment with my psychiatrist to analyze my post-Potato Famine stress disorder.