Program Success 3 August 2016
Black Psychologist Clinical View of ViolenceinPolicing Matters NormanJohnson Jacksonville , Florida August 2016
A BLACK PSYCHOLOGISTS CLINICAL VIEW OF VIOLENCE IN POLICING MATTERS
Norman Johnson , a black clinical psychologist in Philadelphia , says that he observes , the daily non-stop stress of police officers bumping heads with the stress of black citizens , who are subjected to daily non-stop racism . Johnson also noted that , the media repeatedly reports Police accusations of blacks of being prone to violence and that blacks respond with counter accusations that police are prone to violence . Johnson , who has a background in security policing in the military and the federal government recalls having a handgun put to his head by a bad guy and a shotgun put to his head by a stressed out federal officer .
After reading some comments in the book , America The Racist , by H . J . Harris , Johnson surmised that the US American psyche belongs to one citizenry body that is fighting itself . Police officers ( among several other occupational groups ) are bombarded with stress on a daily basis - a hazard of the job . Many blacks are employed in similarly stressful occupations and their stress ( or Fight or Flight ) response may be compounded by the stress of daily institutionally - sanctioned racist assaults to their well-being . Racism is like a cancer . It is painful to admit that you have it and are victimized by it . But if you do nothing about it , you succumb to the inevitable . You have to identify where it is , what type it is , where the damage has been done , accept it as a disease process and set a precise course for its eradication .
Johnson added , “ It is conceivable that a black police officer , who is also a victim of racism on a daily non-stop basis may have a stress ( Fight or Flight ) response that is off the charts . What may result is what could be termed a biological stand-off ( for lack of any other clinical or scientific term ). Two immovable objects or persons on the same highly-charged course are going to clash ! There is some science behind the stress-related ( Fight or Flight ) response .
Racism is like a cancer . It is painful to admit that you have it and are victimized by it . But if you do nothing about it , you succumb to the inevitable . You have to identify where it is , what type it is , where the damage has been done , accept it as a disease process and set a precise course for its eradication .
Does this mean that we live in a sick society ? In many ways , yes . The researchers in the medical and mental health communities have a very difficult - and yes stressful job in finding healthy interventions . It is conceivable that stressed out police should have shorter work shifts or immediate sick leave options to bail when their stress levels get too unmanageable versus remaining on the street at-risk to themselves and others . Black citizens should be able to employ the same release valves after dealing with daily periods of toxic race-based traumas . But none of these interventions will be successful if toxic racist policies and practices persist . In many ways , racism is an offspring of slavery and the abolition of racism is required if we are to remain a healthy , nurturing , tolerant and productive nation with equal social and economic justice for all .
Finally , the psychologist sums it up by stating that relaxation-training , crisis management de-escalation training , a yoga practicing life-style , slow deep breathing , quieting techniques , mindfulness meditation , progressive muscle relaxation and elimination of racism ( at all individual , family , primary health , workplace , community , city , state and federal ) levels would benefit the national collective body of humanity .
For more information , read the following web sites and formulate your own opinions : www . medicaldaily . com / changesdsm-5-racism-can-cause-ptsd-similar-soldiers-after-war-246177 and https :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Posttraumatic _ stress _ disorder For more information , contact Norman Johnson at 215-670-5946
Program Success 3 August 2016