PSYC FPX 4325 Assessment 2

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC-FPX4325 Stress, Trauma, and Wellness

Prof. Name:

Date

Marginalized Populations and the African American (Black) Community

Marginalized populations often face systemic barriers, discrimination, and stigma that limit their access to quality healthcare, education, and business opportunities. These structural inequalities result in higher rates of chronic illness, poorer mental health outcomes, and socioeconomic disadvantages compared to more privileged groups (Baker et al., 2022).

This discussion focuses on the African American (Black) community—a group whose marginalization stems from the enduring legacy of slavery and subsequent discriminatory practices. From the era of forced labor to the modern-day persistence of systemic racism, the African American community continues to experience inequitable treatment in multiple spheres of life. This paper highlights the historical origins of this marginalization, its ongoing impact in healthcare and education, and the psychological stressors that continue to burden this community today.

Historical and Systemic Roots of Marginalization

Being part of the African American community often carries the inherited weight of historical trauma. Despite generations passing since the abolition of slavery, the enduring consequences of systemic racism have left deep scars on physical, psychological, and social well-being. This intergenerational trauma is perpetuated through inequities embedded in institutions, policies, and social attitudes.

One of the most alarming examples of structural racism is found in healthcare disparities. African American women experience significantly higher rates of maternal mortality than women of any other racial group. This disproportionate outcome is not only due to socioeconomic factors but also the historical perception—dating back to slavery—that Black individuals feel less pain or require less medical attention (Njoku et al., 2023). Such false assumptions persist in subtle forms today, leading to mistrust in healthcare providers and contributing to poorer maternal and prenatal outcomes among African American women.

Educational Disadvantages and Systemic Inequities

Historically, access to education was systematically denied to enslaved and free African Americans. Even after emancipation, legal and social barriers continued to restrict educational opportunities. During the Civil Rights Movement, initiatives like the Freedom Schools of the 1960s emerged to challenge this inequality, promoting literacy and empowerment among Black youth (Freedom Schools – SNCC Digital Gateway, 2021).

However, the legacy of educational disparity continues. African American students often face disproportionate disciplinary measures compared to their peers. Stereotypes about behavior, cultural misunderstandings, and implicit biases contribute to harsher punishments and a lack of equitable academic support (Peterson, 2023).

Table 1

Comparative Overview of Educational Disparities in U.S. Schools

Aspect	African American Students	Non-Black Students	Impact
Disciplinary Actions	Higher rates of suspension and expulsion	Lower rates of disciplinary actions	Reinforces school-to-prison pipeline
Resource Allocation	Limited access to advanced placement programs and funding	Greater access to quality resources	Restricts upward mobility
Teacher Bias	Subject to racial stereotyping and lower expectations	Judged on academic merit	Creates self-fulfilling academic disadvantage

As the table illustrates, educational inequity not only impacts academic achievement but also perpetuates generational cycles of poverty and limited opportunity. This contributes to chronic stress within African American families, hindering both emotional and social advancement.

Common Stressors Experienced by the African American Community

Exposure to Racial Trauma and Discrimination

One of the most pervasive stressors for African Americans is the continual exposure to racial trauma. Despite claims that society has moved “beyond racism,” daily experiences of discrimination tell a different story. Incidents such as racial profiling, police brutality, and biased media portrayals reinforce the sense of marginalization (Alang et al., 2021). The repeated witnessing of injustice, particularly through viral media coverage of violence against Black individuals, contributes to collective trauma, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion within the community.

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

Another significant stressor is the persistent stigma against mental health care. Many African Americans hesitate to seek professional help due to cultural norms that discourage emotional vulnerability and a deep-seated mistrust of healthcare systems rooted in historical mistreatment (Why Mental Health Care Is Stigmatized in Black Communities, n.d.). This stigma is reinforced by fears of being misunderstood or dismissed by predominantly non-Black professionals. As a result, many individuals internalize their struggles, leading to unaddressed mental health conditions such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Table 2

Common Stressors in the African American Community

Stressor	Description	Psychological Impact
Racial Discrimination	Daily experiences of prejudice in education, work, or law enforcement	Chronic stress, anxiety, hypervigilance
Media-Driven Trauma	Exposure to racial violence and injustice through social media and news	Vicarious trauma, feelings of helplessness
Mental Health Stigma	Reluctance to seek therapy due to mistrust and cultural perceptions	Depression, unprocessed trauma, social isolation

These stressors collectively undermine the well-being of African American individuals and perpetuate systemic inequities that prevent true social and emotional liberation.

Community Advocacy and Support Initiatives

In recent years, several organizations have made significant strides toward addressing the needs of the African American community. One such organization is the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM). BEAM’s mission is to remove the barriers that prevent Black individuals from receiving emotional health care. The organization offers peer support programs, professional training, and networking opportunities that foster empowerment and resilience within the community (“BEAM Community,” n.d.).

These initiatives are vital because they not only provide mental health support but also challenge cultural stigmas and encourage self-advocacy. Through culturally competent care and representation, organizations like BEAM help restore trust and promote healing across generations.

Conclusion

The marginalization of African Americans is a deeply rooted social issue shaped by centuries of oppression, discrimination, and inequitable systems. The effects are seen across healthcare, education, and mental health outcomes, where historical bias and systemic racism persist. Despite these challenges, advocacy groups and community-led organizations continue to create spaces for empowerment and healing.

To truly dismantle these structures, society must commit to addressing the underlying causes of racial inequity through policy reform, cultural competence in healthcare, and equitable access to education. Only through sustained efforts and collective accountability can marginalized communities begin to heal and thrive.

References

Alang, S., McAlpine, D., & McClain, M. (2021). Police encounters as stressors: Associations with depression and anxiety across race. Socius, 7, 2378023121998128.

Baker, K., Adams, J., & Steel, A. (2022). Experiences, perceptions and expectations of health services amongst marginalized populations in urban Australia: A meta-ethnographic review of the literature. Health Expectations, 25(5), 2166–2187. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13386

BEAM Community. (n.d.). Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective. https://beam.community/

Freedom Schools – SNCC Digital Gateway. (2021, September 25). SNCC Digital Gateway. https://snccdigital.org/inside-sncc/cultureeducation/freedom-schools/