During Trump’s first presidential term, my colleagues and I observed profound distress among Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian and Middle Eastern people. This led us to co-found the Psychology of Radical Healing Collective. Radical healing recognizes that racism, sexism, homophobia and their intersections affect mental health and undermine community well-being.
When Vice President Kamala Harris launched her presidential campaign, I felt a surge of hope for the potential of change in the country — one with real opportunities for working-class people, accessible health care, robust public education and sustainable communities that honor women’s choices. But given the election results, it has become increasingly clear that, for Black Americans, radical healing is essential for our survival and well-being moving forward.
Students and clients shared concerns about how specific policies and the worsening racial climate in the U.S. were affecting their stress levels in 2017 when Trump took office. National data supported these concerns.
For example, research led by Elizabeth Samuels and her colleagues at Brown and Yale universities revealed a marked rise in emergency room visits and stress-related diagnoses among people from countries targeted by the “Muslim ban” executive order, highlighting the direct health impacts of such policies on affected communities.
The worsening racial climate during this time was not imagined. According to FBI data, racially and ethnically motivated hate crimes surged by 18% between 2016 and 2017. And, we know these aren’t just numbers on a chart — they reflect a reality with real, human costs. For example, University of Southern California scholar Brendesha Tynes and her colleagues found that exposure to viral videos of police killings and dehumanizing images of immigrants were associated with more symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress among Black American and Latino adolescents.
This psychological impact underscores why so many people are deeply concerned about the current political climate. Trump received about 17% of African American votes and these supporters are welcoming his second term. However, the vast majority of Black Americans backed the Harris-Walz ticket and have misgivings about what the next four years may hold.
Strategies to move forward
For those who are grieving or feeling anxious now, here are some strategies grounded in the psychology of radical healing to help move forward:
Engage in both personal and collective care. It’s okay to take time to grieve and step back from sources of political distress, like the news and social media. Healing often requires retreat. During this time, remember that wellness is multidimensional — caring for your body, mind and spirit.
Connect with others who affirm your identity; share your story and listen to others. Storytelling is a powerful healing tool in African American tradition. Engage in activities that provide you meaning and connection, and when you’re ready, return to community care through acts of love, support and activism.
Practice radical hope. It’s easy to fall into despair when facing setbacks, but radical hope is a powerful force that African Americans have practiced throughout history. The belief in a better future for generations to come has been a constant motivator. The struggles, resistance and efforts for change were not in vain — they were meant to shape the present and future.
Radical hope involves envisioning a world where Black people thrive in a society free of racism. It’s grounded in pride, history and the belief that people have the power to make meaningful change, just as those before us did during pivotal moments like the abolition of slavery, the end of Jim Crow and the transformation of voting rights, people have the power to work collectively to create change. Through action, change is possible!
Cultivate joy. Joy — the uplifting, euphoric feeling we experience individually or as part of a collective — is essential to our humanity. Black Americans have a rich tradition of joy practices, which often emerge from both struggle and celebration. These include communal events like family reunions, dance and music traditions, as well as affirming rituals like Sunday dinners or moments of resistance that celebrate identity and resilience.
While the challenges we face today are real and deeply felt, it is crucial to remember that our ancestors endured even greater hardships, and their perseverance has paved the way for the rights we hold today.
Radical healing is not just a way to endure; it is a call to action — rooted in collective care, resistance and hope. By prioritizing our well-being, connecting with community and continuing to fight for justice, we can build a future where Black people not only survive but thrive.
Helen A .Neville is a professor of educational psychology and African American studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a member of the OpEd Alumni Project sponsored by the University of Illinois.
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