Unraveling The Legacy – Intergenerational Trauma And Its Impact On People Of Color
- May 20, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 10, 2025
Written by: Deilen Michelle Villegas, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Invisible scars often run deep, quietly shaping the lives of individuals and communities for generations. Intergenerational trauma, the transference of psychological and emotional wounds from one generation to the next, has profoundly impacted people of color worldwide. From the horrors of slavery to systemic oppression and institutional racism, the echoes of past injustices continue reverberating throughout the lives of individuals, families, and communities today.
To comprehend the depth of intergenerational trauma experienced by people of color, it is essential to acknowledge the historical context. Centuries of colonization, enslavement, forced displacement, and racial discrimination have left indelible marks on the collective psyche. Each successive generation inherits the pain and trauma of their ancestors, perpetuating a cycle that demands recognition and healing. As the world continues to advance, signs of how this trauma is impacting people of color are becoming more apparent. We can no longer ignore the gap in wealth caused by systemic racism that prevented people of color from owning land or property for so long, rendering them unable to build generational wealth to pass down to their children like their white counterparts. Even as people of color have gone on to become the most educated group in the United States, despite the centuries-long education gap, there is still obvious under-representation in positions of leadership and management across all fields of work.
When education was no longer a privilege available only to the white people of the United States, new barriers were put in place to prevent people of color from closing the differential gap. It is no coincidence that when education was only available to white people it was free, but when people of color were able to attend school, tuitions were instated, and as more people of color started to attend the price to get an education also increased exponentially. The need to keep people of color inferior and on uneven footing was always the goal of the system. As more people of color gained an education of the highest level, the value of the degree lessened. The requirement for special jobs was not only education but then required years of experience but with no one willing to hire you, how are you supposed to gain that experience? The system changed to become a world of who you knew not what you knew, allowing white people with less experience and knowledge to be offered a job over a highly educated person of color with more experience, simply based on who they knew or who they were connected to.
How Is Trauma Transfered?
The trauma endured by previous generations can manifest in various ways among individuals of color. Emotional and Psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be common consequences. The constant exposure to racial microaggressions, discrimination, and systemic inequalities further compound the effects, resulting in a complex web of psychological and emotional struggles. Society would rather label individuals of color dealing with emotional or psychological conditions caused by the environment as aggressive, lazy, and violent, rather than recognize them as victims of a broken system. Intergenerational trauma often influences family dynamics, shaping interactions, and behaviors. Families affected by historical trauma may exhibit patterns of dysfunction, such as high levels of stress, unresolved conflicts, or difficulties in maintaining healthy relationships. These traumas can also lead to generations of substance abuse and poor coping mechanisms due to the lack of resources available. These challenges can pass from parents to children, perpetuating a cycle that hampers overall well-being. Mass incarceration rates heavily impact communities of color. There is no reason why black people in the United States only make up 13.6% of the population but account for 34% of the total prison population. Black Americans are incarcerated at a state average of 1,240 per 100,000 residents. White, non-Latino Americans, meanwhile, are incarcerated at 261 per 100,000 residents. A national view of U.S. incarcerated populations by race and ethnicity shows high disparity rates among the country's communities of color and white Americans, especially among Black communities. Individuals released from incarceration may have difficulty gaining employment, finding stable housing, and experiencing reduced lifetime earnings. Having prison records also strips individuals from basic human rights such as qualifying for certain government programs for assistance and financial aid for education. If convicted of a felony, their ability to vote is revoked. Additionally, high levels of incarceration within communities can result in increased crime rates and contribute to neighborhood deterioration, as the remaining members of the community are left to struggle and make ends meet by any means necessary.
How Does Trauma Impact Cultural Identity And Resilience?
Despite the enduring burden of intergenerational trauma, people of color have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Cultural identity serves as a source of strength, providing individuals with a connection to their heritage, community, and traditions. Celebrating cultural resilience fosters healing and offers a path to reclaiming autonomy and empowerment. Against all odds, people of color continue to break barriers and reach levels that they were often convinced would never be possible.
With everything designed to hold them back, break them, and stifle their growth, they have still been able to achieve levels of greatness without the help of generational wealth, history of education, and privilege that their white counterparts are born into. This further gives power to how strong they are and how they can and will overcome, and these are characteristic traits passed down from ancestors that survived the worst of the worst and passed down that strength and courage in their DNA.
How Do We Break The Cycle?
Recognizing and addressing intergenerational trauma is crucial for breaking the cycle of pain. Healing involves acknowledging historical injustices, creating safe spaces for open dialogue, and promoting mental health resources within the communities. Culturally sensitive therapy approaches, community support networks, and educational initiatives are instrumental in facilitating healing and resilience. We must properly educate the individuals so that history does not repeat itself, and we can remedy the problem by repairing a broken system.
The impact of intergenerational trauma on people of color cannot be underestimated. Acknowledging the historical context and understanding the transference of trauma is essential for healing and resilience. By breaking the cycle, empowering individuals, and promoting culturally sensitive support, we can pave the way toward a future where intergenerational trauma no longer defines the lives of people of color but rather serves as a testament to their strength, resilience, and unyielding spirit.
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Deilen Michelle Villegas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Deilen Michelle is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Holistic Life Coach. An advocate for bringing awareness to the mental health and physical well-being of underserved communities. She specializes in Trauma Recovery, Behavioral Health, Mindset Transformation, and Somatic Healing with over 15 years in healthcare. Founder of The Shamanic Goddess, LLC, a Holistic Health and Wellness Consulting business, she has chosen to use her knowledge, experience, and platforms to address the importance and need for Holistic Health and Wellness in the Medical Industry and also the impact of trauma and adversities on the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities. She is an interdisciplinary Complementary and Alternative Medicine practitioner focusing on the Mind-Body-Spirit connection, currently working on her Ph.D. in Natural Medicine and has obtained a Master of Science in Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Deilen created her own modality named The H.E.M Experience, which she uses with her clients to create effective positive change in all areas of life to achieve their full potential in Body, Mind, and Soul, guiding them to be more intentional and conscious about how they move in the world.
