Dr. Joy DeGruy’s Groundbreaking Work on Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome
For years, I have followed the work of Dr. Joy DeGruy, a scholar who is deeply studied and apologetically committed to the Black experience. Her research sheds light on the lived reality of Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS), a concept that resonates with many African Americans who experience its lingering effects daily. Through her work, Dr. DeGruy has given language to the inter-generational trauma stemming from centuries of systemic oppression.
After twelve years of extensive quantitative and qualitative research, Dr. DeGruy developed her groundbreaking theory of PTSS, a framework that examines the lasting psychological and social impacts of slavery. Her research culminated in the publication of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing, a book that has become essential reading for those seeking to understand the deep-rooted challenges facing Black communities today. Through meticulous analysis, she connects historical trauma to present-day struggles, providing a lens through which systemic inequities and cultural resilience can be examined.
More than just an academic study, Dr. DeGruy’s work serves as a call to action for healing and empowerment. Her research highlights not only the injuries passed down through generations but also the strengths and survival mechanisms that have allowed Black communities to endure. By fostering discussions on collective healing, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome encourages African Americans to reclaim their history, build upon their resilience, and forge pathways toward emotional and psychological restoration.
Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary: Post Traumatic Slave Disorder
“Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome,” Part 2. Joy DeGruy Leary, the Black Bag Speakers Series, PSU, 2006
For more information follow this link: https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome . I hope the knowledge from Dr. DeGruy will be passed on and factored into the equation of the mental health of African-Americans and the ongoing trauma endured by most.