OVERVIEW. The psychological experiences of people of African heritage have been shaped and influenced by the enduring legacy of European colonization and the Atlantic slave trade. As such, counselors who seek to promote health and healing for Africans and those impacted by the African Diaspora need to understand the psychological antecedents of oppression as experienced by individuals of African descent. Furthermore, counselors and healers can draw on models of psychological liberation in an attempt to promote a healthy racial identity and to establish models of community empowerment. This chapter reviews the literature addressing the psychological impact of racism and racial oppression and provides a case illustration of the principles of psychological liberation for people of African heritage.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the chapter, the reader should be able to:

1. Identify key historical events associated with psychological oppression.

2. Summarize research findings describing the relationship between racism and psychological functioning.

3. Outline key aspects of “mental colonization” and describe steps toward “decolonization of the mind.”

4. Describe elements of a community intervention designed to promote liberation and empowerment.

INTRODUCTION

Within the United States, in June 2006, the total number of Black/African American inmates in state or federal institutions accounted for 40 percent of the entire prison population (U. S. Department of Justice, June 2007), even though they are just 16 percent of the total population.