The Power of Culture in our Collective Mental Wellness

Our cultural background shapes our identity, beliefs, values, and behaviors, and influences the way we perceive and respond to the world around us. This diversity is a strength that can contribute to our mental wellness by offering alternative narratives, creating a sense of belonging and connection, providing a sense of empowerment and agency, and promoting healing and self-care. In this blog, we will explore the teachings of Bayo Akomolafe, bell hooks, Amos Wilson, Dick Gregory, Ivan Van Sertima, and Dr. Joy DeGruy, and how their insights highlight the value of culture in mental wellness.

Bayo Akomolafe reminds us that our stories matter. Our cultural narratives shape who we are and who we can be. They have the power to expand our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, which can contribute to our mental wellness. A deep understanding of self gives us the anchor from which to launch to new social heights.

"Our stories matter, and our cultural narratives have the power to expand our understanding of ourselves and the world around us."

#ownyourpen

bell hooks teaches us the importance of building inclusive and equitable communities. Our cultural practices can create a sense of belonging and connection, providing a support system that helps us navigate difficult situations. When we connect our struggles with those of others, we become stronger and more resilient in our resistance.

"Cultural expressions are essential to creating a sense of belonging and connection that is crucial to our well-being."

#home

Amos Wilson emphasizes the value of culture in empowering individuals to resist systemic oppression and reclaim their agency. Cultural practices provide a sense of identity, purpose, and direction that can help individuals navigate the challenges of systemic oppression. By promoting a sense of purpose and direction, cultural practices contribute to our mental wellness.

"Cultural practices can provide a sense of identity, purpose, and direction that can help individuals navigate the challenges of systemic oppression."

#identity

Dick Gregory reminds us that cultural practices are not just about art, music, and dance. They are also about the way we live, the way we relate to each other, and the way we heal. Cultivating cultural practices that promote healing and self-care can help us overcome the traumas of racism and oppression. By promoting self-awareness and self-compassion, cultural practices contribute to our mental wellness.

"We need cultural practices that promote healing and self-care to help us overcome the traumas of racism and oppression."

#thrive

Ivan Van Sertima highlights the importance of recognizing the contributions of marginalized groups to world history. By celebrating diversity and promoting inclusive narratives, cultural practices foster a sense of connection, purpose, and well-being.

"Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusive narratives fosters a sense of connection, purpose, and well-being."

#richHistory

Dr. Joy DeGruy remind us that our cultural diversity is a strength that can contribute to our mental wellness by offering alternative narratives, creating a sense of belonging and connection, providing a sense of empowerment and agency, and promoting healing and self-care. By engaging with cultural practices that are meaningful to us, we can cultivate a sense of community, support, and resilience that can help us navigate difficult situations and create thriving and mentally healthy spaces.

"Our cultural background shapes our identity, beliefs, values, and behaviors, and influences the way we perceive and respond to the world around us. This diversity is a strength that can contribute to our mental wellness."

#perception

By incorporating these teachings into our cultural practices and community activities, we can create thriving and mentally healthy spaces that foster a sense of connection, purpose, and well-being. Our cultural diversity is a strength that can contribute to our mental wellness and create a better world for all. Let's celebrate our differences and embrace the power of culture in our lives.

African Mom…African American Son

I have been writing LTJs (Letters to Jabari) since my amazing child was a toddler. Here’s one I wrote on September 21st 2016. Wacha I’ll tell you why I’m bringing this up.

LTJ Pier ang’uen gi gimoro

Nyathina,

yesterday, while we were driving home from school, there were three young African American teens that were walking and bouncing a basketball.
you watched them and then said, "it's been long since i saw teenagers hanging out like this"
as they crossed the road, you said, "good thing that they are not in a place where they will be shot”
That really bothered me. For that to be your reality, it's really sad. With my experience growing up in a space where i did not question my freedom, I can't even begin to understand how that can be. To live in a world where being black is risky. And the darker the hue, the worse it is.
My prayer to God is that on top of every effort I make to help you live in your skin freely, that he will add extra protection and care that will boost your esteem to still walk with your head high. Like your great ancestors.
May our ancestors take every step you take. protecting you, guiding you, validating your wholeness and praying for you.

I love you.

Mama.

A little background about me. I was born and raised by the same intelligence that created Thim Lich Ohinga. The history behind this amazing stone-built ruin is as complex as the inhabitants of East Africa. Even with all the complexities and challenges that came with all the burdening social changes, the double consciousness that WEB DuBois described was such a foreign concept to me…to us Africans, well most of us.

“[T]he Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world,—a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his two-ness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.”

— WEB DuBois

I never really understood this dark side of America until one day (when he was still in elementary school) my son and I were rushing from one store to another. I urged him to run with me. He requested that we shouldn’t run because we may be ‘suspected of stealing’. Wah!!! This still makes my heart drop. I commanded him to never walk or talk based on what someone else might think. ‘If you are in a hurry, kwani!?!, you are in a hurry. Case baadaye.’ But deep down I knew my words were not enough to assure him of his freedom. At that moment I realized that I was dealing with an invisible monster. This invisible monster is the bias that America is often too afraid to call out. But, it shows up in our education system, our judicial system and healthcare system. Halafu, somehow everyone seems to agree that there is racism, BUT “we are not a racist country” …yaani…racism without racists….how now?!?

I call bullchieth on that.

Because of these “invisible racists”, I made a conscious decision to work towards creating safe spaces for him and others like him whenever I could because I still cannot get myself to say “work twice as hard as other people”; he is on his own sovereign level like all of us. I cannot get myself to say “that’s how it is my dear black child”, I’m not dead and there are great people that make up his village that will work hard to protect him. I cannot get myself to say “expect racism”; he deserves better. Every being deserves freedom and abundance.

I’ve decided that heaven is supposed to be HERE on earth, while we are still alive.

I too dream of a paradise…hapa hapa…right here on earth

In his book, Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson shares so many stories that teach us about “our system’s disturbing indifference to inaccurate or unreliable verdicts, our comfort with bias and our tolerance of unfair prosecutions and convictions”

“The racial terrorism of lynchings in many ways created the modern death penalty. America's embrace of speedy executions was, in part, an attempt to redirect the violent energies of lynching while ensuring white southerners that Black men would still pay the ultimate price.”

I started this blog after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery…for some reason I couldn’t finish it. My soul was tired so I stepped away….then today I heard the cry of George Floyd as that murderer had his knee on his neck….and now my spirit won’t let me sleep. I have to ask.

Here’s my ask.

I would like us to consider examining the racist DNA of this country we call home. We should do more than call out individuals, we should do more than prosecute these murderers. We should examine the toxins that create this filth we are letting our children marinate in. We should examine this indifference and/or comfort with bias.

For just a moment, let us forget the obvious terrorists that are killing black bodies. Let’s shift our conversation to the psyche of those that America honors and/or respect; those that are in charge:

• D. Trump - “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” (He later denied having said this.)

• Thomas Jefferson - “..I advance it therefore as a suspicion only, that the blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind…” (Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia)

In between these two, there are countless racists views held by people that held/hold important positions in our society.

A few years ago, I stumbled upon a rumbling (he thought he was giving a lecture) by one Eugene Valberg who, in his shallow understanding of African languages, successfully convinced his audience that the African mind is inferior, lacking self control, and lacked moral consciousness. My primary school teachers used to say ‘empty debes make the most noise’. They were right. Problem is, in that room there were people who are in our children’s spaces agreeing and seeking council from this debe.

Such distorted views of our black bodies don’t just create terrorists, they kill our people. These views are held by more people than we want to admit. Kikulacho ki nguoni mwako.

My fellow African mothers, fathers, uncles, aunties…let’s join our African American family in finding the root of this weed that is slowly choking us. We can pull it out together. In the meantime, support and fight for only spaces that feel right for your child.

To our white allies, don’t give up. Keep speaking up.

Our children need to be seen before their souls decay in their black bodies…otherwise they will always live by trying to prove their worth. They deserve so much better.

I’ll stop here…it’s almost 3am and my head hurts.

Akinyi Adoyo

Curating spaces ideal for him to thrive

5 things I learned from my research on HIV among immigrants (Charity Maritim)

December 2, 2019

December 1st is world AIDS day – a day marked across the globe to spread awareness of HIV/AIDS. Whenever I told people about my research project while I was doing my masters, I was met with great surprise. My thesis explored HIV treatment outcomes among immigrants and refugees living with HIV here in Manitoba, Canada. So many people, especially immigrants, seemed surprised that HIV was something of concern here let alone that it affects communities in Canada.

It’s no surprise though – especially when you are coming from countries where information about HIV is everywhere – on billboards, infomercials, posters, then moving to a country where awareness is minimal. This lack of visible information may be interpreted as a sign that it’s not of concern.

However, in North America, there are several key populations that are disproportionately  affected by HIV. In Canada, African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities, have an infection rate that is six times higher than other Canadians. Other key populations that experience significantly higher rates of HIV include men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs, sex workers, and Indigenous people.

So here are 5 things I learned during my research

1. A diagnosis of HIV can affect immigration visas

As part of the immigration process, people immigrating to Canada (including some visitors and international students) may undergo an immigration medical exam that screens for health conditions including HIV. In Canada, since healthcare is publicly funded,  having a diagnosis of HIV may mean that you can be denied a visa, as the health cost associated with having HIV may be much more compared to the average cost of healthcare for the average Canadian. This is referred to as being “medically inadmissible” to the country and could be a result of various medical conditions not just HIV.  However, refugees, spouses of citizens and residents, and dependent children cannot be denied visas based on health conditions that result in excessive medical costs.

2. HIV is a nationally notifiable disease

HIV in Canada and the US is notifiable meaning that all cases are reported to Public Health for surveillance. In Canada specifically, public health authorities must follow up to ensure you are aware of your diagnosis, you are connected to HIV care, and your contacts are notified to go for testing (people who you had sex with or shared drug injection equipment).

3. You are legally obligated to notify your sexual partners in some instances

If you are living with HIV in Canada, you are legally obligated to notify all your sexual partners prior, regarding your status. The only time you are not legally required to disclose is when your HIV viral load is low (virally suppressed as a result of being consistently on HIV treatment) AND you use a condom. In the US, HIV-specific criminal exposure laws vary widely and vary state by state. Criminalization of HIV non-disclosure remains a very polarizing issue and some people living with HIV have been charged with aggravated sexual assault by failing to disclose their status.   

4. PrEP is available for prevention to people at high risk of acquiring HIV

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a way for an HIV-negative person at risk of HIV infection to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. Depending on where you are in Canada, PrEP may be covered by the province, or through private insurance.

5. HIV-related stigma is common among immigrant communities

HIV stigma among immigrant communities remains a huge barrier for people to access testing, seek treatment, care and support. Stigma and discrimination has resulted in immigrants being diagnosed at later stages of the disease, meaning they are more sick at diagnosis with damage to the immune system leading to AIDS defining illnesses. Early diagnosis of HIV is key to successful treatment.

We need to start speaking openly about HIV in the diaspora, engage in conversations that promote HIV awareness and understanding in order to curb the epidemic.

“Dem a bleach out dem skin” – Compassion for ‘dem’ who bleach their skin - Published by africaninthediaspora https://africaninthediaspora.com/

I had the privilege of being back home (Kenya) this past Christmas holiday and one of the things I noticed is the amount of people (mostly women) who have bleached/lightened their skin. Based on all my recent trips back home, I can’t confidently say that the number of people who are bleaching their skin has increased, but I noticed more of it this time. It could be due to the fact that I’m more aware as this issue is being discussed more and I have watched various documentaries which explore why and how Africans and people of African descent bleach their skin. It’s also been a public health issue with countries like South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and most recently Rwanda banning harmful skin bleaching products from their markets.

However, illegal products are still sold in black markets. In Nairobi, there is a booming black market that sells creams, pills, and a new wave of injections that promise lighter skin. Most of these products contain harmful substances such as mercury and high doses of steroids which can cause skin irritation, inflammation, scarring, thinning of the skin, kidney, liver or nerve damage. Using these products while pregnant or breast feeding can also cause abnormalities in newborns. “Safer” alternatives exist but are very expensive, so many people still use the cheaper banned  products.

With the new conscious trend of celebrating melanin with hashtags such as #melaninpopping, there has been increased effort to encourage dark skin people of African descent to love and embrace their skin colour. Despite that, negative conceptions about darker skin exist not only in Africa but everywhere around the world. The demand for skin lightening products is also really high in Asia and the Middle East, making it a super lucrative industry. Eurocentric standards of beauty are still largely the norm with the effects of colonialism and consequently neocolonialism lingering.

The idea that “lighter or whiter is better” is perpetuated everywhere as the world places a premium on white skin.  We grew up seeing skin lightening products being advertised on bill boards and TV. We grew up not seeing representation of dark skin Africans in media. The same ideas are still reinforced with African media being largely dominated by people of lighter skin including those who have bleached their skin. Promoters of the bleaching products use undertone messages promising a better quality of life and more visibility with lighter skin. So with all these enticing promises and seeing people with lighter skin (including those who have bleached) seemingly succeed and occupy influential spaces, can we blame people, especially young girls who choose to bleach?

It seems like all public health campaigns aimed to educate people of the harms have not been effective. It’s a very deep rooted issue with internalization of inferiority and self hate. Most of this is TAUGHT by family and society from a very young age. We can judge, mock or scorn people who bleach their skin but that doesn’t serve them. Instead, compassion is key as we need to understand that these actions are birthed by inferiority complexes driven by lingering colonial mentalities and societal standards that promote these Eurocentric ideals. By acknowledging this, only then can we make the effort to decolonize our minds as a collective and teach our children to love and embrace their skin.

Title reference is from Nardo Ranks’ song – ‘Dem a bleach’ released in 1992 in response to an increasing trend of skin bleaching in Jamaica. The song is still very relevant today.

AfroTongues Launches as “the World’s First Crowd-Sourced App Exclusively for African Languages”

Post by Benjamin Vann

On most days you can find local tech entrepreneur Derek Smith diving head first into learning new languages and finding ways to expose his community to the benefits of being multi-lingual in a global society.

Smith, while working as a case manager for a local nonprofit focused on integrating immigrants into communities throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, saw a need and created a more streamlined solution. The Collective App provided tools and resources for refugee immigrants to become more connected and acclimated to living in a new environment. Basic resources like grocery stores, post offices, ethnic food stores, and health resources were translated into user common languages and integrated into the app, used as a navigation tool to adjust to life in a new land.

While testing this solution with communities throughout the region, he discovered a deeper challenge that ignited his passion to once again, solve for X. The solution is AfroTongues. We (at Impact House) teamed up with Derek and Co at the AfroTongues soft launch, and hosted at PAN African Connection Bookstore a few weeks ago to learn more about the project.

Here’s the run down:

What is AfroTongues?

AfroTongues is the world’s first crowd-sourced app exclusively for African languages.

[Image: via AfroTongues]

What problem are you solving?

There’s a few problems. First, if you look across app stores, you’ll readily notice that there’s little to no apps that cater to African languages. At the same time, a number of countries are engaged in business on the continent and we in the diaspora have been socialized to learn European and Asian languages only. I believe languages are an economy in and of themselves, so the goal is to restore economic agreements where they belong (in African languages) and rebuild relations between African Americans, the rest of the diaspora, and the continent on our own terms.

Where did the idea come from?

It’s a wild story to explain but long story short, I was a finalist for a tech fellowship in Washington, DC. There was an opportunity to really learn some Swahili at my job at that time, so I promised myself that I’d do learn some if things fell through. Sure enough, I missed the cut, so I began learning, then teaching what I know, and teaching English to Swahili speakers. It clicked early on that I didn’t need the fellowship to pursue a great idea.

Who is it for?

There’s a few groups: AfroTongues is for entrepreneurs and investors interested in engaging in business on the continent, travelers who’d like to know a bit of lingo before they land, anyone interested in connecting a bit more with others in their community, and of course, anyone interested in sharing their language with the world.

Why is Afro Tongue important?

There’s a potential to truly shift the language(s) we speak, why we speak them, how we travel (leisure vs business) and for African Americans in particular—a chance to officially participate in the global economy. This is something we’ve been locked out of for centuries, but technology is truly on our side now. It’s up to us to leverage it for a change.

What is the 10-year vision for Afro Tongue?

In 10 years, AfroTongues will be well-established among competitors, languages such as Swahili and Yoruba will begin to become compulsory for international business, and the app itself will have evolved into a social media platform for business connections, travel deals, etc.

Why is important to support diverse founders in tech?

I saw a statistic somewhere stating that there are over 8 billion people in the world, and half of them live in abject poverty. The implication is that we’re functioning on 50% of our full potential as humans. Many of the most innovative and revolutionary ideas reside in the minds of those with no options to actualize them. Diversity is important because it provides that opportunity. In the end, we’ll all win beyond our wildest imaginations.