the black effect— issue two

The Black Effect was intentionally created as a source of knowledge and inspiration for anyone who seeks it. Beginning with the history of Afrika, this issue will uncover the effects of slavery and racism on black wellness and conclusively offer solutions in hopes of assisting a paradigm shift. This issue is particularly intended for anyone who wishes to expand internally and view the world from a different perspective.

the black effect /March 2021

Thaina Blot— @thainablot, photographed by Mickey— @csmickey.

contents

six /history of black wellness. sixteen /activism in the age of social media. twenty-four /black mental health matters. thirty /adaptogens with dr. chanelle. thirty-six /in conversation with kim waldropt of terra-tory. forty-eight /the black body. fifty /the black effect playlist.

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Thaina Blot— @thainablot, photographed by Mickey— @csmickey.

the black effect

BLACK WELLNESS

/history of

[photo by peter simon via black archives]

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the black effect /history of black wellness by ri turner

WELLNESS IN AFRICA. In order to truly mentally, physically, and spiritually flourish, we must know who we are. Knowing who we are requires knowing our history— beyond the scope of slavery, which is the main source of history taught in the K-12 education system in the United States of America. Black people are more than slavery. It is merely an unfortunate portion of African American history that has shaped us in many ways. It is a universal known factor that black people are extremely powerful beings. Hence, the need to rewrite and omit history and sustain valuable information into sworn secrecy.

Inevitably, knowing who we really are will empower us to make the necessary choices to better ourselves for optimum physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing and will furthermore deepen the connection with our ancestors. Brace yourself as you begin to learn more about your history, ultimately discovering new layers of yourself, which will open an entire new world of self empowerment.

Despite what has been taught, Africans come from rich land with rich soil where they grew and harvested an abundance of crops. Crops such as leafy greens, root vegetables, mashed tubers and legumes are home to Africa. Methods of cooking included steaming food in leaf wrappers (usually banana or corn husks), boiling, frying in oil, grilling, roasting, and baking. Starches like sorghum, millet, teff, cassava, and yams were staples in Africans’ diets as they offer lots of calories and are more filling.

Because starches do not offer much flavor, Africans were very plentiful when it came to spicing their food. Just about every African dish has chili or grains of paradise to maximize the flavor of the bland starches. Additionally, our ancestors would prepare yams (and other starches) in multiple ways but the most common technique is called pounding. By pounding yams and combining them with water and other spices yields the creation of fufu, a gelatinous like dish usually prepared with vegetables stews. It is broken into bits or scooped up with fingers and dipped or sopped. Other foods consumed in abundance by our ancestors include watermelon, plantain, okra, mustard greens, spinach and so many more. As you can see, our ancient ancestors have gathered wild seeds, grasses, herbs, grains and fruits (not only for food but also for medicinal purposes) since the beginning of time. They recognized the power of plants and their ability to nourish and sustain them both on a physical and spiritual level. Although these practices may seem as if they are a thing of the distant past, that is the furthest from the truth. A piece of our ancestors lives within us and we have the power to harness these practices and make them a part of our everyday lives.

[photo by fred stein via black archives]

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the black effect /history of black wellness by ri turner

ADAPTATIONS. Although many of us (including and mainly myself) prefer not to speak about the dehumanization of our ancestors via slavery, this must be explored as it will provide rationalized reasoning as to why we have come to be the way that we are. Considering the events that took place, words like “slavery” and “trade” that are often used are actually understatements compared to the inhumane things that our ancestors experienced. Hundreds of millions of Africans were kidnapped, then captured and held bondage, raped, murdered, castrated, bred, mutilated, burned, terrorized and tormented, sold and stolen, kicked and beaten, whipped, and branded. Although Africans were not strangers to slavery, the type of slavery that they were introduced to in America was quite different than the servitude they experienced in their homeland. African slaves were often prisoners of war, seeking salvation from famine or working off a debt. On the contrary, in America, Africans were considered chattel slaves, meaning they were property because they and their children lacked human rights as well as the opportunity to be freed. Slavery no longer represented a repayment of debt or punishment, it instead was a means of power and control.

As you can imagine, because of this new lifestyle in America, Africans were unable to sustain many of their previous wellness practices.

However, their knowledge of West African food preparation, recipes, and crops they brought to America contained immense value and have greatly shaped cultural traditions within the U.S. While some Africans were able to grow crops like eggplant, chili peppers, okra, cucumbers, and watermelon in “kitchen gardens”, many of the staples in their diet were unavailable in the “New World.” Therefore, our ancestors were forced to create appetizing meals from undesirable ingredients and limited cooking supplies, forcing adaptations to be made, which we now refer to as soul food.

As previously mentioned, starches, particularly yams were very prominent in the diets of our West African ancestors. Because yams were unavailable in America, adaptations were made by using sweet potato. Although the two are similar in physical features, yams and sweet potatoes are genetically different. The African yam contains a bark-like skin and is a lot drier versus the sweet potato, which is sweeter in taste and softer in texture. The soul food classic sweet potato casserole can be compared to fufu as both are prepared by beating the yam or sweet potato in order to reach a thick consistency. While sweet potatoes do offer a host of benefits, these benefits are often outweighed because of the preparation methods. Sweet potato casserole is prepared with a chalk full of butter and sugar and then topped with marshmallows. As a result, the nutritional value of the sweet potato is depleted. A few other adaptations that were made include hot water cornbread and grits. Hot water cornbread (made from corn grains) is West Africans’ take on breads previously made from millet and sorghum, which was used to scoop up food. Hot water cornbread is usually prepared by frying in a stove top skillet with butter and salt, resulting in a loss of nutritional value due to the high amounts of salt and fat. In an attempt to once again enjoy the taste of porridge (also made with millet and sorghum), grits were created.

Instead of using millet or sorghum, cornmeal is used to prepare grits. Sweet grits contain high amounts of sugar, while savory grits include salt, pepper, cheese, and sometimes shrimp or even pork. These soul food traditions along with many others are still prominent throughout black culture today and have the power to bring black people in the United States together regardless of their occupation, education level, or birth place.

[photo by leonard mccombe via black archives]

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the black effect /history of black wellness by ri turner

PLATE OF BLACK AMERICA. Soul food consumed by the Black community has resulted in unfortunate disease and early death among far too many of our loved ones. Chronic diseases such as obesity, cancer, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes impact African Americans at a much higher rate in comparison to our White counterparts.

There are many factors affecting the food choices made by African Americans.

Some of these factors include familiarity, institutionalized racism (in the form of poverty, food deserts, and education), and mental/emotional generational trauma just to name a few. Many of our food habits are contingent on the fact that it is what we have always eaten— familiarity. This mindset and behavior is based on much resistance and comfortability. Although a shift or change may be positive, it still provides uncomfortability or fear because it is indeed different, requiring growth and expansion. On the other hand, education or lack thereof breeds poverty while poverty breeds food deserts. This factor could even reign true reversed: poverty and food deserts breeds lack of education.

Due to the lack of education in the black community, it is difficult to obtain adequate jobs, which ultimately affects income and the ability to purchase nutritious foods.

In addition to poverty, food deserts are a huge issue within low-income African American communities. Food deserts are

places with little to no access to healthy food choices, making it extremely difficult for individuals to get to the nearest fullservice grocery store where fresh fruits and vegetables are readily available. Because of this, those who live in food deserts are forced to shop at neighborhood corner stores who typically sell non-perishable or poor-quality foods at unreasonable prices.

Although the above factors can seem insoluble, positive change is still an option. This change will require a shift in perspective all the while defying years and years of mental trauma and systematic racism— a fight that requires internal growth as well as community. That said, the following section will provide insight on how to forego a very necessary paradigm shift as well as building togetherness within the black community through pragmatic and accessible food rituals.

[photo by steven siegel via black archives]

[photo by dana lixenberg via black archives]

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the black effect /history of black wellness by ri turner

SHIFTING YOUR PARADIGM. Shifting your paradigm: let’s break down the meaning of this phrase. Paradigm refers to a “set of experiences, beliefs, and values that affect the way one perceives reality and responds to that perception of reality.” Shift can be defined as the act of changing the place, position, or direction of [something]. Ultimately shifting your paradigm signifies a change in beliefs and values in order to create a new reality.

In order to experience a paradigm shift, we must change our beliefs and behaviors surrounding food as well as develop a connection between the absurd amounts of food related illnesses and our wellness habits (or lack thereof) in the black community. It is time to start taking care of ourselves and healing through foods provided by Mother Earth. It starts with a desire.

The first step in a paradigm shift (after the desire) requires acquiring knowledge. If you’re reading this, you’re already off to a good start. That means you at least have the desire.

However, you will want to follow up with more research and implement small, gradual changes within your lifestyle along with sharing your knowledge with your community.

Doing things because that’s how you’ve always done them is no longer the standard. The new standard is building habits + routines for optimum health and longevity; eating to live rather than living to eat as well as recreating your favorite meals with healthier ingredients.

As you begin to build these habits, you’ll feel different. You’ll feel centered. You’ll feel grounded. You’ll feel spiritually connected to Mother Earth and the food that you eat. The foods we eat provide us with more than just nutrients but also energy. As we continue to evolve on our spiritual journey, we will view our bodies as a temple and become more conscious of our connection to all living things— realizing that health exists on a mind-bodyspirit level.

Your wellness journey will be a distinctive one. Therefore, I cannot tell you exactly how to fuel your mind, body, and soul as this will vary from person to person. However, I can provide you with universal high vibrational habits to fuel your paradigm shift. The following are practices that can be implemented into your lifestyle immediately. Living with intention and mindfulness, meditation, daily movement, consuming high vibrational foods from the earth, journaling as a tool of reflection, self-discovery, and growth, being present, expressing gratitude, preparing whole plant meals at home, spending time in nature, healing through music, laughing, crying, smiling, and listening to your body. All in all, remember to be gentle with yourself. Take your time. Always be willing to learn and grow. View our ancestral history not as a form of victimization but as a form of empowerment. You are powerful far beyond what your mind can even fathom. Choose inner joy. Eternalized joy results in liberation, meaning when you’ve reached the point of inner joy, you are finally free. <3

References: Shifting your paradigm for Optimum Health and Longevity by U-Shaka Craig, Ph.D. Culture, food, and racism: the effects on African American health by Kalah Elantra Vance

[photos via black archives]

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the black effect /history of black wellness by ri turner

[photo by charles traub via black archives]

[photo by dr. chanelle]

/activism on

SOCIAL MEDIA

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the black effect /activism on social media

in conversation with vic styles: wellness influencer, activist, freelance life-liver.

ACTIVISM ON SOCIAL MEDIA. I wanted to have this conversation with you because this past summer the black lives matter movement and activism became this huge thing on social media. And now everyone’s an activist but I saw where you shared photos on your Instagram of protests you’ve participated in and so much more. Basically, you were like “I’ve been doing this shit. This is nothing new to me.” So, I thought you’d be the perfect person to have this conversation with.

basically, these white kids had hung six nooses from a tree. Of course, that’s completely inappropriate.

So, that was the first time that I rallied. Our division of NAACP got everyone together that was in college. We took buses down there. We protested.

We marched. We held speeches. There were workshops. And that was like my first taste of really activating.

Do you think that there are other ways to be an activist or activate other than marching and protesting?

The first thing that I want to ask you is: 1) how do you define activism, 2) what does it look like for you, and 3) who’s allowed to call themselves Absolutely. I mean...marching only does so much, an activist? right? It’s like a pebble in a very big boulder query. It gets the media’s attention and it gets the I think that activism starts with a mindset. Regardless people going but it is not the root of activism. I of what you’re activating for, it starts with a mindset think activism really is behind the scenes. It’s the and a set of morals and values. I think to call yourself people writing the laws, changing the legislature, an activist, you gotta look at the root of the word, voting, etc...the things that make a difference. Not which is act. Activity, which means do. So, it’s one that marching doesn’t. And yeah, I definitely think thing to talk about it but are you being about it? Are nowadays...I sound so old [laugher] and given the you advocating for these issues throughout your climate of covid, activating and rallying people on life, throughout your work? I think that’s what really the internet is the next best thing. We aren’t able to defines activism is the actual doing of whatever it safely be around each other and it is the quickest is. and safest way to spread information.

Can you recall the event, situation, or experience I agree. I even feel like what we do in the wellness that sparked your stance on activism? space is a form of activism. I’ve always felt like many people believe you must constantly Yeah! So, when I was in highschool my dad was scream “Black Lives Matter” to be an activist very adamant about buying me books surrounding and of course, do that when necessary because black activists and civil rights movements. The first black lives do matter. But also that’s not the only book he bought me was Women, Race, and Class way. Black health matters. Black bodies matter.

by Angela Davis and I was like 16. So, I knew what Black mental health matters. Also, you just being activism was but I’m 16...17 in the early 2000’s. It who you authentically are on social media and wasn’t like Gen Z now where you just go out and in real life, that’s also a form of activism. go to marches. We didn’t do that but I knew what it was. Anyway, when I was in college in Birmingham, I agree. Absolutely. We are defying the status quo.

AL and I’m in NAACP… I’m on the Black Student We are changing the narrative of what it means to Awareness Committee but I still had never really be a black woman...what it feels like, you know? activated. It was just like, oh I’m going to these And when people say “Black Lives Matter’’, I have meetings and I’m doing these things. And I guess a love/hate relationship with that term. One...it’s an that is a part of it. But then maybe in like 2006 or organization and most people don’t even realize 2007, something happened in a town in Louisiana that. They’re just out there chanting “Black Lives called Jena and it was called the Jena Six. And Matter.” It would be like going outside chanting

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the black effect /activism on social media

“NAACP” [laughter]. But then also, it’s been funnelled into this monolithic meaning. When people hear it, it means police shootings but black lives matter wholistically. Black lives matter in the medical industry. Black lives matter when it comes to food desserts. Black lives matter in education.

So, I think you’re right. Talking about healthy eating.

Talking about wellness. Opening people’s minds to being better and doing better with their bodies is a way of promoting health and wellness and life in black culture. Yes, we’re dying because of police shootings but the number one thing that is killing us is food related illnesses. So if you’re going to talk about saving black people, we have to talk about food.

Period. PERIOD. I say that ALLL THE TIME. Sadly, police officers do murder unarmed black people but we are dying at a much rapid rate due to food related illnesses. I don’t think it’s talked about enough.

And it’s just education. I have family who believes that eating healthy is a salad with ranch, fried chicken and bacon bits. And I’m like, this is not healthy. They don’t even know. They don’t even have the scope to- like what do you mean balsamic vinegar? I don’t even know what that is.

Same. I have family members and childhood friends who can’t even begin to fathom what spinach or kale is. And it’s really heartbreaking.

And it’s like, how do you even change it?

I think that the work that we’re doing in our communities is a start. You know?

I agree. And I will say, being vegan and eating healthy especially when you look at it on social media, it’s not appeasing at all. It’s white women.

They’re skinny. It looks like unflavored food. A lot of times it is. When I go to these vegan restaurants, if they’re not black owned...I’m like if this was the first vegan food that I ever tried, I would not be

vegan. This is awful. There’s no flavor. So it does take someone of color who’s adding a little bit of flavor to the food.

I completely agree. Adding tons of flavor to our food is embedded in our culture. It’s second nature to us. It definitely takes someone of color who is familiar with and/or brought up in black [food] culture to even spark black people’s interest in a plant based lifestyle.

We touched on this a little bit already but do you think that posting on social media alone is a valid form of activism?

I’m not going to say alone but that coupled with genuine values, morals, and doing in your own life. I think so. Yeah. You can’t just be posting on social media “support black businesses” but you’re not supporting black owned businesses. If you’re going to talk about it, then be about it. But yeah, I think that [activating on social media] coupled with doing in your own life and showing up in your own life. I definitely think so because where can people go now? We’re stuck inside. There is a global pandemic happening right now. So, the only way to safely do it [activate] is through social media.

Yes, we’re dying because of police shootings but the number one thing that is killing us is food related illnesses.

So if you’re going to talk about saving black people, we have to talk about food.

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the black effect /activism on social media

I agree 100 percent. Do you believe that activism partner with you? And there are certain brands that on social media can bring real change?

I know overtly do animal testing or they just have piss poor ethical practices. And I have to let them Yeah, it’s no longer a belief. It’s now a fact. Over the know...unfortunately, I would love this fat ass check summer, we saw lots of protests in the streets but but Imma have to decline. we saw a lot of digital protests too. People calling out brands. People coming for companies. What We’ve heard the problems in the black was that instagram page? It was for the beauty community, from both men and women. What industry someone had started. They were posting we don’t hear often are solutions. What methods, how many corporate positions were people of beliefs, or practices would you love to see our color [within brands and companies]. That sparked people more involved in? a whole industry conversation. Like...oh shit, we’re not hiring enough black people. We need to do More natural births. Who am I to judge how anyone better. Next week, I’m sitting on a [virtual] global chooses to bring a child into this world but I wish panel with Estèe Lauder and everyone from all that we would be a little bit more open minded to of the countries that they sell in [all of their social it. The things that we’ve been shown and taught media and marketing team] are going to be in about birth, specifically in this country, they’re just this virtual room. The whole panel is about how to detrimental to women. It goes against the natural effectively, authentically, and safely market wellness flow. Why am I on my back? If I was out in the wild to women of color. And I don’t think that panels and I’m about to have a baby, I would never lay on like that would even exist right now had the social my back to give birth to a child. That’s just not what media activism not happened last Summer. Now, mammals do. So, I think just opening our minds they [brands] are tuned in and they’re like...oh shit, up and educating ourselves about natural or home we need to change. Even if it’s selfish. Even if it’s births because at the end of the day, more black like...we know black women spend a lot of money women are dying from childbirth. And this is a first with us. So, let’s change and they’ll spend money. world country. Like, it’s ridiculous. And, we can’t rely Even so, if that’s what it takes for y’all to hire more on doctors and hospitals to educate us that way of us [black people/poc], to work with more of us because we are just a paycheck to them. We have then so be it. to do that for ourselves. Also food. You know, I’m not anti-meat. Even though I don’t eat it, I’m not I completely agree. Speaking of brands...being anti-meat. I just think we eat too much of it and we an activist, content creator, snd influencer, do eat the wrong types of it. Mental health is a huge the two ever conflict? How do you balance one. I told my parents I was in therapy and they being genuine to yourself and your community were like, “Are you okay? Are you crazy? Is there while also securing the bag? something we don’t know about?” And I’m like, no you guys should go too. Everybody should go.

The two don’t conflict for me because I’m very Even if you feel like you’re okay. There may be some intentional about the partnerships that I accept and things deep down inside that you just need to talk the brands that I work with. I love what I do. I love about with somebody. Natural healing. Again, I’m getting a check. But at the end of the day, I’m doing not anti-western medicine and I think it’s great for this for my community. I started doing this for my certain things. But there are foods and herbs that community. And it’s great that my community can you can take that can prevent some of the illnesses get these resources for free because these white that we have. So, I wish we would just open up our people are going to pay me but I can turn down a minds a little bit more. check. Some brands are just- girl a beef jerky brand reached out to me. I don’t eat meat. Why would I

ACTIVISM ON SOCIAL MEDIA. I agree. And I think it sucks because before our Alot! Because then my mind is focused on what ancestors were brought here to America, that’s you’re saying and repeating it and yeah. Same. what the f*ck they did.

Yessss. Well, those are all of the questions Exactly. I went to Louisiana and there is this that I have for you. Thank you for having this plantation and it’s a museum now. But it’s told conversation with me. Thank you for being an from the slaves story. And they have first person inspiration and such a positive force within the accounts from slaves. Anyway, they have this part wellness realm. Would have never thought I’d where there are quotes from slaves. It’s written on be having this conversation with you. You, your a wall and it’s like hundreds of quotes. And I’m content, your authenticity, and your approach to reading and I found at least five or ten about herbs. wellness + life in general have inspired me for They were talking about elderberry. I think one quite some time now. said, “The master wouldn’t give us medicine so we would make syrup out of elderberry.” And that blew Of course! This is so dope. It’s crazy because I’m my mind. Our ancestors have been using land and literally inspired by you. I’m always like, “What you plants as medicine. And we got lost somewhere making today? Let me buy these ingredients. Let along the way. me try to make this.” [laugher.] It’s really funny how life works. I’m glad that you did follow me. I’m glad Exactly. Okay, so the last question I have for that we’re here together. That we’re in this space. you is: What are some acts of self care that you That we’re changing the narrative of this industry personally use to balance your mental health together. Like, that’s fucking dope. + protect your energy while fighting social injustice on and off social media?

I unplug often. You gotta get out the matrix every now and then. I journal every single day. I also meditate. I’m not going to say I meditate every day but like five days out of the week, I’ll meditate.

Guided meditations tend to help me a little bit better than me just like doing it on my own. I feel like when I’m on my own, my mind just starts drifting everywhere. So, I do like guided meditations.

There’s one from a girl called Brocollette that I love.

She has an album on Spotify. And then there’s another one. It’s 21 days of money affirmations.

She’s on YouTube. But I love her too. They’re both black women.

Yessss. Okay, good. I feel you. A couple of years ago, I would meditate daily and it was just so effortless. But now, since I’ve been a creator full time it’s like my mind won’t ever stop. So, I have a hard time sitting down and focusing. I try to focus on my breath and that does help sometimes but guided meditations just hit different. They help out so much.

[all photos in this section are courtesy of vic styles]

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/black mental health

M AT T E R S

[photo by charles w cushman via black archives]

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the black effect /black mental health matters by ri turner

THE MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY It is completely ironic that African Americans are 50 percent more likely to suffer from a mental illness than their white counterparts but are less likely to even acknowledge they’re having problems with their mental health, let alone receive professional help. Before we get into the different stigmas, where they stem from, and how to normalize mental health and break barriers in the black community, let’s first define what mental health issues can look like. Mental health illnesses are disorders that can affect your mood, thinking, and behavior, ranging from depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, schizophrana, and many more. Symptoms vary depending on the particular mental health disorder but usually appear in the form of sadness, excessive fear or worry, mood swings, inability to cope with daily problems or stress, excessive anger, suicidal thinking, and a host of other symptoms.

Many of the mental health issues within the black community are rooted from the psychological stress that comes with systematic racism— social structures, policies, and institutions that serve to oppress people of color. Yet, the very same thing lends a hand in some of the stigmas (negative thoughts or beliefs) around mental health in the black community.

Mental health disorders are often viewed as a sign of weakness within black culture. As stated

by Dana Givens of the NY Times, the myth of the strong black man and black woman has convinced many of us that we are unbreakable even when we are suffering— affecting how we process our trauma and how we communicate. Furthermore, because African Americans have survived so much adversity, many of us believe that no one has the right to tell us there is something wrong with us or when to seek help.

Another stigma surrounding mental illnesses is based on the fact that many Black people have an extreme distrust within the medical system. This is very understandable considering that African Americans are often misdiagnosed and have been exploited by the U.S. government and medical community on account of medical advancement (Tuskegee syphilis experiment, 1932).

Even if African Americans did seek help, some of us feel that there isn’t enough representation within the medical industry. Consider the following statistic: only 5.7 percent of physicians are African American out of a population that is 13 percent black. Furthermore, this lack of representation results in culturally competent care— treatment specifically designed for marginalized populations and led by practitioners who have a firsthand understanding of the unique challenges facing minority communities.

Other stigmas and factors affecting the way that the African American community view mental health issues include: 1) religion— it is deeply rooted within the black community that many of our struggles can be solved with prayer alone, 2) criminalization— fear that acknowledging mental health struggles will result in harsh legal punishment rather than treatment, and 3) financial challenges and lack of resources— many african americans do not have reliable health care insurance that covers mental health care or do not have the knowledge to even begin to seek help from a professional.

BLACK MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS CONT’D While these negative thoughts associated with mental health disorders in the black community do currently exist, it is important that we effectively destigmatize these beliefs not only for the sake of our own wellbeing, but for future generations to come.

Simply openly talking about mental health and making it a part of everyday rhetoric within the black community could destigmatize negative thoughts associated with it. Studies have shown that human connection and support has positive effects on our mental health, releasing a hormone called oxytocin to the brain, which then activates the prefrontal cortex. This enhances our ability to trust, communicate, and collaborate. Thus, reducing stress responses such as anxiety and many more.

that are accessible and can be done anywhere and anytime: 1) notice five things you can see, five things you can hear, and five things you can feel, taste, or smell, 2) take ten slow breaths, focusing your attention fully on each breath, on the way in and on the way out, 3) practicing yoga— when we coordinate yoga with breath, it forces us to pay attention to the sensations in the body as we move, completely feeling the experience in that moment without any judgment or expectations, and 4) journaling— jot down in a journal how you’re feeling, what’s been bothering, or what’s on your mind. This could be positive, sad, happy; whatever valid emotion that you are feeling is appropriate. There is a theme with each of these tools. They all bring you back to the present moment.

A lot of times, mental health issues stem from the need to control the future or If you know someone or are someone dwelling in the past. The ability to bring who may be dealing with mental health yourself back to the present moment issues, please talk to someone who you will physically ground you and allow trust and/or seek professional help. you to be centered. Please keep in mind Dealing with mental health issues, these daily grounding tools should especially as a person of color, is be practiced consistently if in order to completely normal. Please remember experience benefits. Choose one or that you are not alone. I see you. I two and see what works best for your hear you. I feel you. The way you are lifestyle. feeling is completely valid. While I highly recommend guidance from a professional if you feel that it is too much to handle on your own, here are some daily grounding tools (which have personally helped me on my journey)

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[photo by cleopatra lee]

THERAPY + SELF-CARE RESOURCES FOR POC Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. They focus on presenting mental health topics in a way that’s more accessible and relevant to black women and girls. You can listen to their podcast, find lots of resourceful information on their blog, and even receive help finding a therapist.

Loveland Foundation strives to make therapy accessible to black women and girls by providing financial assistance, listening tours, fellowship programs, and so much more.

Therapy for Black Men is passionate about changing the narrative around Black men seeking guidance for mental health. The organization offers a directory of therapists and also offers free therapy sessions for those who are concerned about the cost of therapy.

Inclusive Therapists specializes in helping “Black, Indigenous, People of Color, the LGBTQ+ community, neurodivergent folx, and people with disabilities” find “a culturally responsive, social justice-oriented therapist.”

HealHaus is an organization that provides accessible and inclusive wellness through daily yoga, meditation classes, and workshops. Although they are normally based out of Brooklyn, they are now completely virtual.

Black Mental Wellness provides access to mental health information and resources by black people, for black people. Additionally, they share resources for coping and wellness, with relaxation strategies, wellness videos, and fact sheets about black mental health.

The Safe Place is a free app that is geared towards people of the black community to provide awareness, education, and hope to African American mental health. They provide self-care tips on how to cope after experiencing police brutality, breathing techniques, black mental health statistics, and open forum discussions.

Elevate is a free app designed to address the specific issues of the black community that were not being met in other self-care and wellness apps. Their app provides guidance and inspiration to overcome adversity, a place to set goals, and create healthy habits, as well as connecting with other people through a community forum.

I am not a licensed therapist or mental health care professional. This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any mental health disorders. I am simply speaking from experience and thorough research. As stated above, if you feel that you are suffering from a mental illness, please seek help from a professional mental health care provider. For more information, please contact 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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the black effect /black mental health matters by ri turner

[photo by kim waldropt]

/learning to

A DA P T

[photo via moon juice]

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the black effect /learning to adapt

ADAPTOGENS W/ DR. CHANELLE What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are essentially a special category of plants, herbs, and mushrooms that may help the body adapt and maintain equilibrium during times of stress. Although the term adaptogens may seem quite new within the wellness space, plant medicine has been used in African and Asian cultures to uplift mood, heal disease and illnesses, and so much more for thousands and thousands of years.

Continents like Africa and Asia predominantly heal disease with plant-based medicine because it is inexpensive and accessible. This in contrast to Western forms of medicine, where big pharma is both expensive and only accessible to a certain group of privileged individuals. Fortunately, many more people are beginning to familiarize themselves with the power of plants as medicine.

How do adaptogens work?

Adaptogens modulate your stress response by affecting a specific area of your body, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. For example, if you are stressed, your body may perceive this as a threat. Immediately, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland will activate your adrenal glands to release cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that helps to prepare your body to protect itself from a perceived threat by activating the fight or flight response. Many times things that are stressful but aren’t necessarily a threat still activate our adrenal system. As a result, this process tends to cause a lot of stress on the body. People who are chronically stressed may have an excessive amount of cortisol released which harms their physical and mental health. Adaptogens help to level out that system so that if a stressful environment or a stressful event does happen, your adrenal system won’t be excessively activated. Your cortisol won’t be released and your body will experience less stress overall.

Benefits of adaptogens.

Obviously, specific plants and herbs have specific benefits. Additionally, it is very possible for two different individuals to experience very different benefits using the same exact adaptogen. So, please keep in mind that benefits will vary.

The following includes a generalized list of benefits of various adaptogens: Attention improvement Aligned cortisol levels Balanced hormone levels Normalized body functions Stimulation of mental performances impacted by stress Strengthen immune system Increased physical stamina Improved energy levels Improved digestion Decrease in symptoms caused by elevated cortisol levels— anxiety, depression, fatigue, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and obesity.

ADAPTOGENS CONT’D. How to use adaptogens.

When first adding adaptogens into your lifestyle, it is recommended that you take it slow and don’t overdo it. Choose one herb and begin working it into your routine. Then, start listening to your body and gaining self awareness. Ask yourself: Do I notice anything different? Is this making me feel less stressed? Is this particular herb not agreeing with my body? If you start off by taking various adaptogens in the beginning, you’ll have a hard time understanding what is working for you and what isn’t. Additionally, consuming adaptogens is indeed great for boosting your mood and improvement of mental health but it should be paired with other holistic habits such as breathing exercises, working out, yoga, meditation, eating more fruit and vegetables and practicing mindfulness as much as possible. Try working adaptogens into a lifestyle that promotes resilience and rest. Plant medicine is one aspect of that lifestyle.

To really elevate your mindset and your overall wellness, all of these things must be practiced holistically.

Here are a few adaptogens worth trying: Maca root A peruvian derived plant, usually accessible in powder form, that is often used to enhance fertility and sex drive as well as improve energy and stamina. Maca can also calm nerves associated with stress and certain variations have been used to improve memory and learning.

Ginseng The most common types of ginseng used include American ginseng and Asian ginseng.

American ginseng has a calming effect while Asian ginseng is said to energize. However, both are known to improve brain functions such as memory and mood.

Ashwagandha A small evergreen shrub that is grown in India, Middle East and Africa. Ashwagandha has the ability to reduce stress, improve mental cognition, and improve mood and energy levels. This is done by regulating cortisol levels and supporting optimal thyroid function. Ashwagandha is a great addition for someone who may be experiencing mood swings.

Goji berry Often available dried or in powder form. Goji berries contain tons of benefits. A few of them include: 1) improvement of depression, anxiety, and sleep, 2) stabilization of blood sugar, 3) promotion of healthy skin, 4) protection against cancer, and 5) support of the immune system.

Turmeric Usually readily available, fresh (or ground) turmeric has the potential to boost brain function, reduce depression, prevent heart disease and cancer.

There are so many more adaptogens than what this list provides. Please do additional research on which herb may be more suitable for your current lifestyle.

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the black effect /learning to adapt

Dr. Chanelle is an Adult & Child Psychiatrist based in Manhattan, NY. She is also the founder of #TheColoredClinic, which focuses on centering the Black community in Mental Health.

3 WAYS TO IMPLEMENT ADAPTOGENS INTO YOUR LIFESTYLE

Adaptogenic strawberry mylkshake

Ginseng Tea

Ingredients: 1 cup of plant mylk 3-4 medjool dates 3 tbsp of hemp seeds 1 tbsp of pea protein powder 1 tbsp of pitaya powder 1 tbsp of maca root powder 1-2 cups of frozen strawberries 1 ½ frozen (ripe) bananas

Ingredients: 1 tbsp of loose leaf ginseng tea Boiling water (roughly 206 F)

Instructions: Add ingredients into a blender starting with the mylk, dates, hemp seeds, and powders.

Next add the frozen fruit.

Blend until smoothie reaches a creamy milkshake-like consistency. Add more liquid if necessary.

Golden mylk Ingredients: 1 ½ cups of oat mylk 3-4 slices of fresh turmeric 3-4 slices of ginger 1 tsp of cinnamon ½ tsp of vanilla extract ½ tsp of black pepper 1 tbsp of honey, maple syrup or blackstrap molasses Instructions: Add all of your ingredients to a pot on low to medium heat.

Allow everything to come together, stirring occasionally for about 10-15 minutes. (avoid letting it come to a boil) Using a strainer, pour latte into your favorite mug.

Fresh turmeric and ginger can be substituted for ground.

Instructions: Boil water in an electric (or non electric tea kettle) Add loose leaf tea to a tea press Add the hot water to the tea press Allow the herbs to steep for 5-7 minutes After the tea has been steeping for the recommended time, take the plunger and press the herbs to the bottom, separating it from the liquid so that only tea is left.

Pour tea into a mug and add sweetener if desired.

While this is our preferred way to make tea, there are many alternative methods such as using a tea kettle or loose leaf tea infuser.

Use the method that is most suitable for your lifestyle.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what adaptogens are and how to use them, you can begin implementing them into your current lifestyle! Remember to: 1) take it slow, 2) listen to your body, and 3) pair adaptogens with a holistic lifestyle centered around growth, inner peace, rest and resilience to experience maximum benefits.

Disclaimer: This is not to be substituted for medical advice. This article is not making any medical claims and is not intended to be used as a treatment for any mental illness related symptoms you may be experiencing. If you think you may be suffering from a mental illness, please consult a mental health professional. For additional guidance on dealing with mental health disorders, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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the black effect /learning to adapt

[photo via moon juice]

/black

OWNED

thirty-six

the black effect /black owned

IN CONVERSATION WITH KIM WALDROPT, CEO + FOUNDER OF TERRA-TORY Tell me about TERRA-TORY and how you got world now especially in people’s wellness. Instead started. of giving them a product that’s going to help them with their eczema...letting them know this is going So, TERRA-TORY is a coconut oil free, superfood to add to helping but along with all of this extra based skincare brand that specializes and knowledge that you’re probably not aware of. especially formulated for hypersensitive, eczema That’s what TERRA-TORY is all about. prone skin. I do not use coconut oil. I am allergic to it. Because I’ve made this product, I’ve given How was your upbringing? You mentioned your people a different option that is effective for them. mother had a soap business back in the day. How Also, I use superfoods and all of the foods I choose does that and her lifestyle affect you today? are good for our skin. When we eat them orally, our skin behaves better. So, I decided to use that in my My mom did it as a side hustle back then. It was product and not use the derived of it but the actual a side hustle for her but she enjoyed herself. Her food itself. I break it down myself and put it into and I bonded from it. She taught me so much at my formulation minus any preservatives because I that time. I would go on drives with her to drop have mastered the skill of soap making to where off orders at the stores she was at. And she would I don’t need to use any added preservatives like be at the Jacob Javits center doing trade shows. most of the mass produced, commercial products You know, kind of like today’s pop ups. Just seeing that are on the shelves today. her hustle and her grind and the fact that she was creating natural things that made people happy.

Is your background in skincare?

It always made the house smell good. It’s just a time that I remember bonding with her the most.

No, I have a background in technical design. I was Transitioning into today, trying to keep those a technical designer for six years in the lingerie natural elements. Trying to always remember to stay industry. I went to FIT for apparel design and working in the natural realm. Trying to put that back in the in the garment industry wasn’t the healthiest for forefront but to an audience who has never really me. My lifestyle wasn’t the healthiest. I didn’t have seen natural products. When I first started TERRAa good life-work balance. I was mostly working. But TORY, when I saw brands that were all natural they I was working for something that was unfulfilling all had like the same vibe. And I’m like, well that’s for me. I’m doing the same amount of work now, if not how I was exposed to it. That’s not how I was not more but it’s so much more fulfilling and it’s so shown natural holistic products. And being around much more of a reward that comes out of it. Being botanicals. Being around a mom that gardened. in the garment industry is not sustainable at all. And being raised by grandparents that grew their The community of people in itself is just toxic and own food. The way it’s been shown by other people the hierarchy and the community of the garment is not how I’ve been exposed to it. My goal is to industry in general and who runs it is just not out for show people how I’ve seen it. Especially people equality for all people. And they don’t care about in the black community because a lot of black your work-life balance. They don’t care about you. folk aren’t really exposed to the knowledge that They only care about pumping the product out they’re supposed to know about: plant based oils, and getting it out there. And meeting deadlines. fragrance oils, essential oils. And there’s a whole And getting their dreams off the ground. So, that’s wide world of oils and natural things out there that what I was exposed to for about six years. So, back people don’t take out the time to tap into and do in the day my mom was making soap and had a research and try to experiment with. So, we end soap business and I’m trying to pull that back out up seeing the same things. My goal is to bring in my way and continue that legacy. I’m trying to something new to the table but also staying to the address a lot of matters that’s happening in the roots of being an all natural, no preservative,

thirty-eight

the black effect /black owned

no bullshit, 100 percent natural, zero percent bullshit aspect to it. And that builds trust. If you can make a product that stands true to what your story is telling and it deems results, I can’t go wrong with that. And I think that’s why TERRA-TORY is where it’s at.

over time, in my experience of doing this for three years, people will definitely come back to you and tell you like, wow, I had no idea that this was the issue and they come back and you know, then you lock them in, then they’re my customers forever because I am still staying true. And not deviating from my formulation for quantity and speed. I’m I think so too. And I love the fact that you are not in it to make a whole bunch of money in a short actually natural because I feel like the word amount of time. I know that in time if I keep my “natural”— i’ve learned that a company can quality intact and it’s true to what I’m saying and legally advertise as natural but when you look at doing overtime people will catch on. So yeah, the bottle or packaging, it contains words that you’re running a sustainable business like you’re I can’t even pronounce. So, I love the fact that not trying to be you know, like, sit and make money.

TERRA-TORY is actually natural. I really wish the word wasn’t as overused as it is, especially in Yeah, you’re running a sustainable business. Like skincare and wellness in general. you said, you’re not trying to make money quick.

It’s not a get rich scheme.

Oh yeah. You notice you’ll notice even when it comes to things like BJ’s or Walgreens or even Exactly! That also plays a part with being eco friendly CVS, you’ll see that these products that were always and running an eco conscious brand as well. I artificial or made in a lab are now starting to come mean, if I was all caught up in my packaging and out with natural collections. But again, when you worried about how the packaging is gonna look read the label and that’s another thing that I think and using this ridiculous unrecyclable packaging I’m trying to build a community of people doing that can’t really break down or outsourcing to use is constantly reading the labels and researching. some elaborate plastic box or something, I would And that’s another reason why the ingredients are be doing a disservice to myself and the customer so tiny because there are so many things in there. by not paying more attention to the ingredients, Really what they’re doing is prolonging the shelf quality of the product, and I think that’s what’s life. That’s it. I think that if people saw or did the going to matter. My packaging is going to get research and saw what they’re being exposed to, tossed out in the garbage. That’s not what’s gonna they would better understand: maybe this product matter. What’s going to matter is you taking a is what’s breaking me out. Maybe it is drying shower every day, you getting out the shower and my skin out. If I stopped using this product and going along your day, and you realize that you’re used something else, maybe I’ll see a difference having less and less irritation. You’re feeling less and a lot of people do, especially when they use uncomfortable in your body. And that’s what’s TERRA-TORY. They’ll use Dr. Bronner’s or they’ll use more important. something else and they’ll have such a horrible experience with it and they’ll take a step back, use something else. Let’s say they use territory, and they’ll see a difference in a week, then, of course, TERRA-TORY doesn’t last forever. So, it’s going to run out eventually. And then they’ll go to the same routine, and the same products that they used before and then they realize, okay, ah, okay, this is what the issue is. You know? And it does take time and you do have to have patience, but you know,

TERRA-TORY is a coconut oil free, superfood based skincare brand that specializes and especially formulated for hypersensitive, eczema prone skin.

[all photos in this section are courtesy of kim waldropt + terra-tory]

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the black effect /black owned

Is Dr. Bronner’s not coconut oil free? I’ve never even looked at the ingredients. I don’t even know where the ingredients are on the bottle because there are so many words on the bottle.

brands do. Just because they throw a little sprinkle of turmeric in it, that means they’re not going to have any more scars. And I’m like, no, honey, it’s a little more than that.

That’s another gimmick. That’s another scam that skincare products will do; they either make the words too damn small or they will have so much on the bottle. You ever get those cosmetic ingredient things where you have to peel back and there’s a long book of ingredients? That’s a problem and we’re using it on our skin every day. And of course the beautiful pictures when you pass by lotions.

The lotion section is made with shea butter, made with jojoba oil, etc. There’s a very small untraceable amount of those butters or oils or exotic oils to increase the price. They have it in there just enough to say that it’s in there. There’s so much other bullshit in that bottle and ingredients in that bottle that is doing just as much detriment to you than that little 2% of jojoba oil that’s in there. And again, it’s a marketing thing. It’s a selling point. It’s to say that there’s an exotic oil in here and that that’s why we jacked up the price.

And it’s not going to take one product. It’s going to take a complete lifestyle change. And people don’t understand that. People want a quick fix and it’s not that.

That’s so stupid and annoying.

It’s stupid to us but they’re geniuses. They’ve been doing this for decades, for lifetimes. And it’s just time that we woke up. That’s it. We’ve got to be more conscious. We’ve got to do our research. Even with my stuff. People will ask me about acne. And I’ll tell them straight up, I don’t do acne. People will ask me about hyperpigmentation. If you want to go the natural way with that, it’s a long journey. And it’s not just a soap that’s going to help. It’s a long journey. I do recommend seeing a dermatologist for that. Because whatever was happening to the skin, there was so much trauma to it that it left scarring behind. Washing it isn’t going to reverse that. It’s deeper than that. So, I always tell people I’m not a dermatologist. I’m never trying to steer nobody wrong for $1. I never tell people that, “Yeah, my soap is gonna help that.” I’m not gonna ruin my integrity for my brand, and all my hard work to lead people on. And that’s what a lot of

And that’s another thing that I am trying to portray.

TERRA-TORY is a lifestyle change. And once you’ve seen the difference, and once you’ve seen the light, then you’re then you realize, if it just starts with that, next it could be your diet. I just want TERRA-TORY to be that one thing that sparks that lifestyle change.

If it’s not a smoothie or if it’s not a bar soap... You know? There has to be something that sparks that lifestyle change. My job is to educate people and put the spark in there through myself.

IN CONVERSATION WITH KIM WALDROPT, CEO + FOUNDER OF TERRA-TORY Exactly. So, I love pretty much everything about TERRA-TORY. Your website. Your logo. Your Instagram. Your approach. Everything. What inspires your creativity for your brand?

Humor. I love to laugh. Music. Music always puts me in a vibe. The lifestyle that I’m living inspires me to help people go into that direction and let them know that it’s not that hard to take care of yourself.

Travel inspires me. Knowing that the planet doesn’t need us to survive and flourish inspires the shit out of me. And the fact that Mother Nature just keeps giving to me, makes me want to give back to her.

And that inspires me. It makes me think that, okay, I have access to these things, whatever I make, it better be able to go back into the earth and unharmed. You know? It’s like a cycle of karma. You know what I mean? She gives me good. I have to give her good. I smoke weed. And it opens up this little subconscious part of my brain that I can’t tap into whenever I’m sober. Sometimes I have to get out of my head a little bit. So, I smoke a little joint.

And in that, like, that’s when I start doing shit on Photoshop. Like that’s at moments like whenever you see me doing like, weird pseudo Photoshop, I was high. And it’s like, it makes me excited. Like when I’m in a state of tapping into my subconscious mind. And I’m not worried about the bullshit, and I don’t care about the other bullshit that’s going on.

That’s when I can be my most creative. Because it’s easy for me. And I don’t give a fuck about whether people like it or not. It just comes on. And when it does come out, I realized that’s when people love it the most. When I try too hard, especially when I’m creating content, it never hits. lt doesn’t even satisfy me sometimes. When I take my time and I’m cool.

And I got a little joint.I got my music going. I’m in a vibe. Best ideas come out. Freedom inspires me. The freedom of just being around nature and other people experience nature.

What does your wellness routine look like?

It’s not even a routine anymore. It’s like a way of life. I don’t know what it looks like, because I’ve been living it a long time. Right now, sometimes

it’s doing a whole bunch of nothing. Sometimes it’s not doing any work at all. Putting out so much work can take so much from you. Right now my self care, my wellness is kind of like, kind of taking back my time a little bit after shipping out 300 boxes.

Running up the steps. My knees are killing me and my back hurts a little bit now. Now, I’m just stretching and making sure that my back is right and eating properly. Making sure I’m getting my water and waking up whenever I want. Getting as much sleep as I can so that I can get back into the rhythm of making soap and getting ready for the next release. That’s what my self care looks like. Also not being on social media as often. Because that shit. You know, we find ourselves just picking up our phones and going straight to Instagram and having zero purpose behind it. It’s just a habit now.

You know what I mean? I’m just spending time with my friends and just doing nothing. Like I said, that’s what my self care routine looks like. It has nothing to do with any products, going anywhere or any special, you know, trendy thing that’s happening. I did a little bit of shopping. Like, I’m finally chilling.

That’s my self care routine. Not thinking about work for like another two, three days. That’s what my self care routine looks like right now.

Honestly, same. My wellness routine is more like a way of life at this point. Working out, drinking enough water, eating food that makes me feel good, spending time with family and in nature, resting, laughing, reading, unplugging. You know?

It doesn’t have to be like a special diet. You know?

Or a new smoothie or a new drink or a new pill or vitamin that you’re taking, like, it could just be living freely a little bit. Waking up whenever you want.

And going to that workout class. It’s little simple things that make me feel better.

forty-two

the black effect /black owned

[kim waldropt photographed by michael colas— @viewsfromthetrap_]

IN CONVERSATION WITH KIM WALDROPT, CEO + FOUNDER OF TERRA-TORY How do you balance being a business owner and your wellness routine?

Not really giving a fuck about deadlines and just making my own deadlines and saying, well, you know what, if I don’t want to release for Christmas, I’m not going to. It’s the fact that I have the freedom to do what I want and I have full control of my workflow. I can shift things around and make time, make space for things that I want to do. And I think it’s the guilt that comes with it. Because there’s a lot of guilt that comes with pushing things off.

But yeah. I think listening to my body, and if I’m just not feeling it that day, I have to be okay with that. That’s the balance that I’m giving. And then if I do feel like getting something done, I get it done. You know what I mean? Like, that’s kind of how I’m balancing it right now. I know that I have to balance it a little more. I get burnt out pretty often.

But lately because I am kind of conducting my own train right now. And not letting people dictate how often I release or how much soap I’m making.

And you know, I’m not on a deadline or I’m not on the schedule. That’s kind of like what’s helping me with the balance right now. I don’t think I actually have balance yet. But I think it’s helping me with the balance. Not necessarily having a boss on my shoulder, telling me, well, this needs to get done.

Well, I know it needs to get done, but I’m gonna take my time with it because my back hurts today.

And I just don’t feel like pouring giant barrels of oil today, you know, but but when I do, I’m gonna knock it the fuck out. And so I think that’s the work life balance for me. I am still trying to figure it out, but long as I have karate in my life and meditation.

If I’m able to do that. I’m fine.

Any tips for aspiring business owners?

Be yourself. Be your one thousand percent self.

Don’t give a fuck about what everybody else has done. Because the minute you do that, that’s when you start losing sense of who you are. And then it doesn’t come naturally. When you start doing what other people are doing, you end up starting to look and feel like them. And you end up being

just another one of those brands. I never want to become like one of those brands. I want to be like myself. I want people to also know that they need to keep telling their story. No matter what, just keep telling your story. There’s so many people out there in the world that don’t know your story, but that separates you from everybody else. Telling your story. And take breaks. It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to take your time with understanding who your market is. Take your time and do the market research. Take your time and understand who you’re making this product for. I think the problem with most people is that they come up with the product, but they don’t know who they’re selling to. They don’t know who they’re trying to serve, they just know that they have an idea or they have a service or they have a product, but they don’t know who’s buying it. And again, patience.

I know we try to rush to get stuff out. But when we rush. we can kind of see that there’s no thought put into a lot of things when it’s rushed. There’s no life in it when things are rushed. And that’s how you get emotionally attached to brands. You can relate to them on a level where it’s so basic. For example, I think I posted something. It was like a piece of fruit.

I thought the people that followed me didn’t really know about it. So, I thought it was just like a really Caribbean thing that only a small portion of my followers knew about. Bruh, that post got over 500 likes. It was something simple but it was relatable.

It’s tugged on so many nostalgic heartstrings that I didn’t really realize but it’s also something that was a part of my childhood and part of my life but because I put it out there, I touched so many other people. So again, it’s about pinpointing who you want to sell to, and staying in that lane. Keep that going. Because once you start to stray, who are you really? Don’t do something that just seemed trendy. It comes and goes and there’s always a new trend that everybody’s trying to follow.

forty-four

the black effect /black owned

Be yourself. Be your one thousand percent self. Don’t give a fuck about what everybody else has done. Because the minute you do that, that’s when you start losing sense of who you are.

forty-six

the black effect /black owned

[photo by bettina pittaluga]

/black and fat

A N D H E A LT H Y

forty-eight

the black effect /black and fat and healthy

BLACK AND FAT AND HEALTHY

BY SOPHIE SPENCER This is healthy! announces the text overlaying an image of yoga teacher and body positivity advocate Jessamyn Stanley on a recent cover of Cosmopolitan magazine. She’s in Dancer’s pose, her left hand reaching back to grab ahold of her left foot, her right hand triumphantly outstretched in front of her. Jessamyn is smiling, proud, fulfilled, representative of the joy sought in avenues of wellness. Yet for black women, these are roads less traveled.

Briefly, before I dive into the prejudiced reality of wellness today, it is necessary that I am completely transparent. I am a white female in a small body. In many ways, I fit the exact societal standards catered to by wellness trends, by body size and body type prejudice, and by the racism that connects it all. I find it necessary to disclose my societal predisposition not to make this about myself, rather to hold space for other stories, for silenced voices, for the realities stifled by the power of my own.

At its core, wellness is not exclusive in nature. Originating in the East (India, China) and the West (Greece), it began as a collection of holistic habits, rituals, and ways of Being meant to bring optimal physical, mental, and spiritual health. Yet as proliferated through centuries of overarching white supremacist social hierarchies, the ancient term with modern revival is anything but inclusive.

The wellness movement as it stands today centers around the white, thin, able-bodied woman, with enough money for weekly hot yoga and enough time to count her macros. A look around your next class—or at the neighboring Zoom screens—will prove this lack of racial and bodytype diversity on the mat. Why is yoga so white-centric; why isn’t black body diversity included and celebrated the same as their white counterparts; why is our culture dying to be thin? The reasoning behind such disparities is grounded in fear, in false racial identifiers to promote harmful sociological structures, and in the fight to maintain racial hierarchy dating back to the Transatlantic slave trade.

Thin prejudice began as a method to distinguish free person from slave, of white from black, of those who deserved rights from those who did not. European colonists during the Transatlantic slave trade noticed that the African slaves lived incredibly sensual lives—they ate and they drank and they danced and they had great sex. And they were fatter than the colonists. In efforts to distinguish themselves as the pinnacle of racial superiority, Europeans touted their so-called self control as the marker of proper, of the righteous, of all one should aspire to be. Yet as races mingled, the line between white and black based on skin color became less cut and dried—the marker of white superiority needed new footing. Europeans leaned instead on this separation by body type.

To be thin was to be in good health, to be proper, to have impeccable self-control. Thinness was worth more in the eyes of society. Thus to be larger-bodied was to be unhealthy, the epitome of an improper, animalistic lifestyle. Conflated with the black body, this separation turned an entire lifestyle and body type into a judgement of worth, lasting for centuries to come. To understand our culture’s fears of fatness and the black body is to hold true the racial separation and worth-based judgement of body size.

BLACK AND FAT AND HEALTHY

BY SOPHIE SPENCER Just as racism plagues the underworking of today’s culture, so too does racialized fat phobia.

Medically, use of the body mass index (BMI) as a marker of health is deeply problematic.

BMI is the measure of a person’s weight divided by their height. It does not account for lifestyle, for genetic difference in body type, for any other indicator of health. Created by a Belgian mathematician in the 1800’s as a quick determinant of obesity, it was made by a white academic, based on the white body type ideal, servicing the white majority. It never had the legs to be accurate cross-racially—what’s more, studies have shown that black populations tend to be healthier at heavier weights. Yet it is rampantly used to categorize individuals of all racial and cultural backgrounds into boxes of health divided only by ridiculously thin and inherently meaningless margins.

For larger-bodied black women, the use of BMI as a determination of health is incredibly inaccurate. It’s physically and mentally damaging and it serves to continue the proliferation of fat phobia rooted in racism. The idea that a body can be inherently wrong or unhealthy is why black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit eating disorder behavior; it’s why your yoga class is full of thin white women; it’s why we are so afraid of being fat, and why there is such rampant cultural shaming of the fat black body.

In a wellness culture shaped by racist rhetoric, Jessamyn Stanley shines brightly. Yoga’s increasing popularity has brought with it the same tired white ideals of thinness. This cult of the petite, if you will, alienates all who aren’t born with genes that fit the prejudiced bill and those who won’t die drinking the Kool-Aid alike. Yet in this toxic wellness arena, Jessamyn takes up such beautiful, wholly necessary space with a fiery, unapologetic fervor. Her online presence is a haven for all the teachings antithetical to the norm: of body acceptance at any size, of yoga as a place for all, of the truth that you can be black and fat and healthy. In the face of a deep-seated history of racism against her, she leaves behind the boxes that keep her small. In fact, she uses the power of such boxes to destroy them: “A huge part of my acceptance is using the word fat. Taking a weapon that has been used against me and putting it on the mantel behind me.”

1 Sabrina Strings, Fearing the Black Body (New York: New York University Press, 2019) 2 Sabrina Strings, Short Wave, “Fat Phobia and its Racist Past and Present” produced by Yowei Shaw, aired on July 21, 2020, on NPR Radio 3 “Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat” Student Life (blog). National Eating Disorders Association. 2019. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/blog/not-all-black-girls-know-how-eat 4 Jessamyn Stanley, The Racial Origins of Fat Stigma, directed by Taylor Mooney (2020; cbsnews.com)

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the black effect /black and fat and healthy

[photo via foria wellness]

BLACK AND FAT AND HEALTHY

BY SOPHIE SPENCER Just as racism plagues the underworking of today’s culture, so too does racialized fat phobia.

Medically, use of the body mass index (BMI) as a marker of health is deeply problematic.

BMI is the measure of a person’s weight divided by their height. It does not account for lifestyle, for genetic difference in body type, for any other indicator of health. Created by a Belgian mathematician in the 1800’s as a quick determinant of obesity, it was made by a white academic, based on the white body type ideal, servicing the white majority. It never had the legs to be accurate cross-racially—what’s more, studies have shown that black populations tend to be healthier at heavier weights. Yet it is rampantly used to categorize individuals of all racial and cultural backgrounds into boxes of health divided only by ridiculously thin and inherently meaningless margins.

For larger-bodied black women, the use of BMI as a determination of health is incredibly inaccurate. It’s physically and mentally damaging and it serves to continue the proliferation of fat phobia rooted in racism. The idea that a body can be inherently wrong or unhealthy is why black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit eating disorder behavior; it’s why your yoga class is full of thin white women; it’s why we are so afraid of being fat, and why there is such rampant cultural shaming of the fat black body.

In a wellness culture shaped by racist rhetoric, Jessamyn Stanley shines brightly. Yoga’s increasing popularity has brought with it the same tired white ideals of thinness. This cult of the petite, if you will, alienates all who aren’t born with genes that fit the prejudiced bill and those who won’t die drinking the Kool-Aid alike. Yet in this toxic wellness arena, Jessamyn takes up such beautiful, wholly necessary space with a fiery, unapologetic fervor. Her online presence is a haven for all the teachings antithetical to the norm: of body acceptance at any size, of yoga as a place for all, of the truth that you can be black and fat and healthy. In the face of a deep-seated history of racism against her, she leaves behind the boxes that keep her small. In fact, she uses the power of such boxes to destroy them: “A huge part of my acceptance is using the word fat. Taking a weapon that has been used against me and putting it on the mantel behind me.”

1 Sabrina Strings, Fearing the Black Body (New York: New York University Press, 2019) 2 Sabrina Strings, Short Wave, “Fat Phobia and its Racist Past and Present” produced by Yowei Shaw, aired on July 21, 2020, on NPR Radio 3 “Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat” Student Life (blog). National Eating Disorders Association. 2019. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/blog/not-all-black-girls-know-how-eat 4 Jessamyn Stanley, The Racial Origins of Fat Stigma, directed by Taylor Mooney (2020; cbsnews.com)

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the black effect /black and fat and healthy

BLACK AND FAT AND HEALTHY

BY SOPHIE SPENCER Bottom line: we need more Jessamyn, and more of her mindset proliferated throughout our society. More acceptance of all bodies, at all sizes, in all sectors of health and wellness.

Body size inclusivity, especially as it relates to race, is but a baseline sentiment. As a society, releasing the idea that some bodies are inherently more worthy of the space they inhabit based on size or race or anything else, is imperative. There is room for everyone in this wellness culture uprising, and wellness without complete inclusivity is merely another form of the same tired racist rhetoric. Such deeply-rooted racism is the disease of our culture, a cyclical illness of every generation to date. The ball will keep rolling, the cycle will continue to appear and play itself out, until we learn the lesson. Until our omm’s hold space for all voices; our yoga studios roll out mats for all bodies, all sizes, all races; our idea of health divorces from historically racist prejudices.

[photo by yolanda y. liou]

The optimism and joy I feel when I see black body inclusivity is rivaled by a deep sadness that clings to my chest. It mourns just how refreshing it is to see such a simple, obvious, baseline message. Black and fat and healthy. It mourns the necessity of the ands.

/black effect P L AY L I S T

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the black effect /the black effect playlist

fthhradio on spotify + apple music.

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the black effect /gratitude

THANK YOU. My heart is filled with so much love and gratitude. It means the absolute world to me that you took the time to read issue two of fthh. It feels so good to be seen, be heard and to allow others to feel the same through my perspective. A huge thank you to everyone who was apart of the black effect in any way. Thank you all for being patient. I hope this issue contributed in some way to your wellbeing + overall happiness.

the black effect