Once, we were scattered ash and embers. Torn from our homelands and forged into resilience under the cruel hammer of oppression. We are the descendants of those enslaved West Africans, emerging as the Geechee, Louisiana Creole, Gullah, and Affrilachians in this complicated, United States of America. We are Endoginous Americans—born from struggle but defined by our strength and culture.
But now, I tell you, it’s time to turn the page. We must evolve into Newbeings. This means unlocking ourselves from the chains of colonization and trauma that bind us—decolonize, de-traumatize, but remember, don’t lobotomize yourself.
To decolonize is to unlearn the harmful narratives fed to us and reclaim our heritage with pride. It’s extracting the poison but leaving the vessel intact. Immerse yourself in our true history, the richness of our cultures, the perseverance and creativity that define us. Not everything born out of oppression is filthy. Institutional education and societal norms have roots in this convoluted past, but discernment is imperative— there are valuable seeds even in compromised soil.
De-traumatize means undertaking the arduous journey to heal not only from the transgenerational trauma rooted in our collective history of enslavement but also from the personal traumas that you have endured. The lingering echoes of hardship haunt our souls across generations, but we possess the power to quiet them. Engage in therapy, foster open conversations, and immerse yourself in artistic expression—employ every available tool. Delve deep, confront the pain head-on if necessary, and transform it into a source of strength and resilience.
We, along with the help of advanced artificial intelligence, are developing versions of the following therapies tailored specifically for Endoginous Americans to decolonize and heal both transgenerational enslavement trauma and personally experienced traumas:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative patterns of thought and behavior that may be contributing to your mental health issues. Our tailored approach will consider cultural contexts and community narratives to make this therapy deeply relevant and effective.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of therapy that emphasizes acceptance and change, and can be particularly helpful for individuals with self-destructive behaviors. Incorporating cultural wisdom and community practices will enhance its healing potential.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This form of therapy explores unconscious thoughts and feelings, often by examining past experiences and relationships, to understand current issues. By integrating our rich cultural history and traditions, psychodynamic therapy can offer profound insights and healing.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a therapy technique designed to alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories. Tailoring this method to consider transgenerational trauma will provide a more comprehensive healing experience.
Humanistic Therapy: Humanistic therapy emphasizes personal growth and self-awareness, focusing on the individual’s subjective experience and potential for growth. Our adaptations will honor and uplift the unique strengths and resilience within our communities.
When I say “don’t lobotomize yourself,” don’t take it literally. I mean don’t purge all that you know just because it’s tainted by the touch of colonization. Some traditions, philosophies, and even inventions birthed from this era hold significance. We can evolve without erasing everything; we can grow without abandoning the parts of our past that serve us.
Stand in front of the mirror, see your reflection, and reclaim it. You’re not merely an echo of the old, beaten paths; you are a Newbeing, bound to the rich earth from which you sprang but forever reaching for the skies untouched by tyranny.
Call upon yourself and your community. Start by healing the individual to heal the collective. Don’t hesitate any longer. Dive into the resources available at Newbeings 1619—they’re there to guide you, an anchor in turbulent waters.
For liberation is more than a distant dream; it’s within our grasp. And it starts now. Re-scribe the ancestry lines etched in pain with a new legacy of resilience, wisdom, and unyielding prosperity.
Amen. Ameen. Ashe’. Aho. And so it is. And so it shall be, forever and ever and ever.