89: The Psychological Trauma of Systemic Racism with Dr. Dina Cuervo
Jun 17, 2020
Dr. Dina Cuervo shares her personal upbringing in a Los Angeles immigrant community, plagued by violence and institutional racism. She shares her path to becoming a clinical psychologist and her passion for supporting under-served communities of color that have been victimized by trauma. Dina then explains the psychological trauma caused by systemic racism and how racism is literally a public health crisis. She talks about the concept of “toxic stress” that is created through institutionalized racism. She then explains how racism functions as a form of dehumanization and emotional abuse that has caused ongoing individual and collective injury. She then examines racial trauma in the educational system, the pathologizing of Black children, the replacement of school counselors and social workers with police, and its impact on Black youth. She then talks about the traumatic effects of police interaction with the Black community and explains some of the trauma triggers and stress responses to police encounters. She then discusses inter-generational racism, epigenetics, adverse childhood experiences, and the culmination of the “cradle-to-prison pipeline.” Dina then recommends transformative changes such as the re-allocation of resources back into education and social services as well as a trauma-sensitive approach to conflict resolution centering on restorative justice. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging white privilege, validating Black experiences, and actively diversifying Universities. She also emphasizes the vital importance of increased police training around mental health and trauma. Dina then discusses her location independent therapy practice, answers the lightning round questions, and names her Top 5 Hip Hop MCs of all time. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT WWW.THEMAVERICKSHOW.COM