PTSS : How slavery and oppression affected the epigenetics n DNA.
A THREAD -
Post traumatic slave syndrome (PTSS) is defined as “a condition that exists when a population has experienced multi-generational trauma resulting from centuries of slavery and oppression." (1/n)

the experience of trauma – or more accurately the effect of that experience – is “passed” somehow from one generation to the next through non‐genomic, possibly epigenetic mechanisms affecting DNA function or gene. 2/n

When people experience trauma, it changes their genes in a very specific way. So when those people have children, their genes are passed down to the offspring n they also inherit trauma. 3/n

Thus, resulting in M.A.P.:

M: Multigenerational trauma together with continued oppression;

A: Absence of opportunity to heal or access the benefits available in the society; leads to

P: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. 

4/n

Acc. to Morris(1996), some blacks were led to believe that they were biologically destined be enslaved to their skin color. White religious teachers used religious texts to justify slavery naming it an assignment by God. 5/n

KEY PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR REFLECTIVE OF P.T.S.S -

Vacant esteem: Low self esteem, feelings of hopelessness, depression n a general self destructive outlook.

Extreme feelings of suspicion, perceived negative motives of others, violence against self, property, family or friends

Racist socialization, learned helplessness, literacy deprivation, distorted self-concept, constant anxiety, antipathy. 6/n

If 400 years of slavery has affected the genes of blacks in such a way that their trauma became genetic, I wonder what thousands of years of casteism, untouchability n atrocities has done to our genes. Unfortunately, our people aren't even resourced enough to conduct such studies

Black people**