| The purpose of this analytical essay is explore the applicability of transgenerational psychological trauma theory in describing the social consequences of genocide and slavery on two oppressed people of color nations in America, Indigenous Peoples and People of African descent. The anti-social contract executed against them produced an affiliated anti-social health arrangement. The Mass Trauma Events of genocide and slavery created a Trauma Response, Unresolved Grief and Historical Trauma and Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, which have not been redressed, in the tradition of other crimes against humanity. Disenfranchised grief, coupled with cultural disenfranchisement, prevented the two nations from healing and current negative health indices are attributed to this historical relationship. Denial of the consequence of historical trauma from genocide and slavery by the government renders all health initiatives directed towards oppressed nations limited at best, including cultural competency, substance abuse treatment and Healthy People 2010. The primacy of the subordinate character of the oppressed nations to the American state and the associated inferior health policies are inescapable. The use of Historical Trauma theory would revolutionize social work and all human service industries. Given the political nature of the problem, and its relationship to the original anti-social contract, its solution will require a heighten human rights based social work profession. |
