Racial trauma is manifesting in several ways in the current presidential election:
1. Heightened stress and anxiety:
- A large percentage of Americans (68% in 2020) report the election as a significant source of stress, up from 52% in 2016[3].
- Black adults in particular have seen a major increase in election-related stress, jumping from 46% in 2016 to 71% in 2020[3].
2. Post-traumatic stress symptoms:
- Some studies have found measurable levels of post-traumatic stress potentially linked to elections, with an estimated 12.5% of Americans experiencing symptoms consistent with probable PTSD related to the 2020 election[1].
3. Racial resentment as a key factor:
- Research has shown that racial resentment was the second strongest predictor of voting for Trump in 2016 and 2020, after party identification[8].
- There are high levels of perceived discrimination against white Americans, especially among Republicans[8].
4. Ongoing impacts of systemic racism:
- Issues like police killings of Black Americans, protests for racial justice, and the violent response to those protests have created an environment of constant stress for many[7].
5. Campaign rhetoric focused on race:
- Slogans like "Make America Great Again" and anti-immigrant messaging have racial undertones that can be traumatic for communities of color[8].
6. Intergenerational and vicarious trauma:
- The impacts of historical and ongoing racism continue to affect communities of color, even if not directly experienced[5].
7. Physical and mental health effects:
- Racial trauma can lead to symptoms like anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, anger, and physical health issues[4][5].
Overall, the election is bringing racial issues to the forefront in ways that are causing significant stress and trauma, particularly for communities of color, while also revealing and potentially exacerbating existing racial tensions and resentments in American society.
Citations:
[2] https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/racial_trauma.asp
[3] https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/10/election-stress
[4] https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/16/health/racial-trauma-meaning-symptoms-wellness/index.html
[5] https://www.mhanational.org/racial-trauma
[6] https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/racial-issues-define-2020-presidential-election/story?id=72394595
[7] https://www.vox.com/2021/1/28/22249273/trump-presidency-trauma-covid-19-2020-election
