Critical Cultural Competence
Invisible Wounds of Oppression
Historical trauma
Cumulative emotional and psychological wounding across generations that historically traumatic events have had, and are still having, on a community.
Prejudice, discrimination, lack of equal treatment trigger body’s stress response
They are an assault on our sense of safety and right to exist in the world
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Oppression
A sustained and intense experience
Persists over time
Silence is the hallmark of oppression
There are 2 levels: primary and secondary
Primary Level – Oppression
Requires physical presence of an oppressor
Some discernible power difference
Differential access to resources
Some presence of physical threat
Has power to transform being to things – process of objectification. Stripped of sense of humanity
Oppressed are stripped of ability to frame their own experiences
Silence is hallmark
Secondary Level — Oppression
No presence of physical threat
Oppressor doesn’t have to be present
Oppressed becomes vehicle of their own subjugation
Have internalized oppression
Mistreat self
Devaluation Dilemmas
Silence and speaking
Rage
Self-hatred
Invisible wounds of oppression
Devaluation
Silence
Learned helplessness
Rage
Self-hate
Generalized suspiciousness
Orientation toward survival
With secondary oppression, we’re so outraged that we often collude.
This means we judge or criticize or punish the behavior rather than empathizing
Our job: understand how the behavior is adaptive, even when the behavior is not o.k.
We confuse validation with agreement. Can I stretch my understanding to validation?
Can’t reach someone unless we validate.
Therapy with invisible wounds
of oppression
Acknowledge that invisible wounds exist
Use a wider angle lens that includes dynamics of privilege and oppresion (not just life cycle and family-of-origin)
Resist either/or thinking. Honor complexity
VCR Model:
Validate (needs and feelings)
Challenge (behaviors)
Request (change in some way)
Therapy with invisible wounds
of oppression
Add on rather than take away (punish)
Give voice lessons: any utterance is important
It’s ok to be imperfect as you find your voice
Rage — Needs to be channeled into socially sanctioned venues, not eradicated
Name and legitimize
Identify sources
Create opportunities for expression
Identify venues where it can be channeled
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