According to Make the Connection website for veterans some of the signs of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) are;
- Feeling upset by things that remind you of what happened
- Having nightmares, vivid memories, or flashbacks of the event that make you feel like it’s happening all over again
- Feeling emotionally cut off from others
- Feeling numb or losing interest in things you used to care about
- Feeling constantly on guard
- Feeling irritated or having angry outbursts
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Having trouble concentrating
- Being jumpy or easily startled
Most of the Black and Brown men/women I know have displayed 3 or more of these signs when and or after an interaction with leadership and or law officials. I’m talking about law abiding men/women. Men/Women with families and respectable lifestyles. I’ve even watched Black and Brown men/Women with means and acces display 3 or more of these signs after being pulled over by police.
This information has value because THIS is why there aren’t more Black and Brown men and women in the industry. Its not JUST because of the finances or the lack of information, it is because WE ARE AFRAID OF THE SYSTEM!!
EVERYONE is dancing around the truth because no one wants to blame the USA. There’s enough going on and as a people we don’t like to ruffle feathers, which is another sign of PTSD, but I digress. The signs are real. The issue is real and the sooner we begin to have this discussion in our communities the more likely we are not to miss the green opportunity.
These numbers mean that many Black and Brown Americans probably know or is related to someone in jail for marijuana. Yep, it’s that real. Many of us are effected by the War on Drugs and we need to talk about it. We need to begin to gather to heal the deep rooted wounds caused by this war. This is what they mean when they use the big word “disenfranchised.” They are referring to our plight.
I’m so angry I really don’t have anything else to say.
Watch this video!