Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing

There are points in this book that I wholeheartedly agree with and others that I do not. I saw some biases (e.g. nursing or paralegals settling for something lesser than doctor or lawyer) and some blindspots (e.g., responsibility to the Black community being defacto if you've experienced any success). However, I also saw a bearing of the trauma of slavery and social racialization that was very raw and resonated with my life experience. While I believe we need to talk about lingering issues, I also think we need to celebrate the fact that a book like this can now get published.

This was a good read. Though I am quite late on reading this, I imagine that this book likely had a greater impact between 2004-2010 when the idea of intergenerational trauma was somewhat in its infancy. The science behind this concept is still being researched to bolster its validity. I appreciate that PTSS is proposed as a THEORY and that she elucidates the semantics of scientific jargon for those who may be uninformed. She offers her theory to indirectly explain cultural, behavioral, and environmental influences of maladaptive behaviors that are specific to the black community. PTSS is not a clinical diagnosis and she clarifies this. The language carries both a formal and informal ambiance; it's direct and simple enough to comprehend, but it's not underwhelming either. She is honest enough to declare that because of the broadness of this theory, healing (treatment) cannot be simplified to a few tasks. She essentially uses her clinical experience and her cultural/spiritual journey to Africa to inform a social and self healing for African Americans. The historical background is somewhat refreshing, but to the experienced scholar it's more of a review. I also appreciate her using the DSM to explain her theory while differentiating from an actual diagnosis. The book overall is somewhat of a starting point for the African American who is seeking to understand themselves, their culture, and their history. It's littered with many relevant and inspiring quotes from other Black influentials. I warn people to apply her theory very lightly after reading because behaviors can stem from other influences and personal experiences that are not racially motivated. PTSS is essentially a cultural syndrome with a possible genetic basis: a rousing and intriguing suggestion to help a collection of people unify and rise to power without using fear as a weapon. I am coupling this book with Isis Papers (which is more scholarly, detailed, and relevant) to gain more understanding of the oppressive system that has created this cultural syndrome. Highly recommend for any Black student of psychology!

This is an excellent book on a particular type of PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This disorder, as the title implies, is "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. DeGruy does an outstanding job of documenting the dehumanizing experience of black Africans being sold into slavery, being transported in ships under grossly inhumane conditions, and being dehumanized by being treated as property in the United States [the land of the free...]. Then blacks in the USA, after the Civil War, being legally free but suffering under legalized segregation, denial of voting rights, and other Jim Crow Laws. The author traces the influence of this horrible background on the mind, attitudes, and social adaptations of blacks in the United States today. Many of the social problems of crime, violence, and proverty have their roots in slavery, some have called, "The Original Sin" of America. This phenomena parallels about what I have written in my books, "Spiritual Terrorism" and "Christianity Without Insanity," about another form of PTSD: Post Traumatic Spiritual Disorder. Fear-based Christianity was often used as a tool to help keep the salves in subjection, after they had converted to Christianity. Slave masters quoted the Bible, "Slaves obey your masters." Many poor uneducated white people have been and still are kept in subjection by the powers that be by threats of eternal torture in literal hell fire for not accepting Christ and doing A, B,and C and/or not doing X, Y, and Z. Many people of all races have been brainwashed to be obedient pawns of fear-based religion, in general, and so-called orthodox Christianity in particular.

Wow, this book really opened my eyes to a new way of thinking. This book is for everyone black, brown, yellow, red, green or white. I still don't understand why we classify ourselves as a color but I have to use it to get my point across. We are all human and we have all been victims of oppression no matter the shade of our skin.We've been lied to, brainwashed, beaten, manipulated, hated, and the list goes on. This book helps us all realize we need help, this country has pushed the subject of slavey to the back burner and it keeps popping back up to the forefront. The slavery continues and it's 2017, the hate of colored skin is still potent because no one told our previous generations that they needed to heal mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. It's basic psychology yet, our education system doesn't teach that. I can't ever tell a person with brown skin to get over slavery or to get over what happened to their ancestors. That's like slapping someone in the face until they bleed and saying this didn't happen, I don't want to hear about it and we are still friends. The U.S. planned on having slavery forever that's why the country is in chaos now, they are trying to push forward with a broken system. Address the lies and the true history so that everyone can heal and grow to be better people.

A wonderful read that is sure to explain our current state of affairs. Joy’s work is timeless and will be a staple of my education for ages.

A journey into the minds of damaged people and how they live under a cloud of oppression. How they walk, live, love, create ect ect, as a shell of their true self and how they manage to navigate, through the thickness of the cloud, as they journey each obstacle along their daily path.This book/books is for all peoples.This was also a pathway for me to see how damaged I am!Now I need to buy book two, to find some solutions to healing self.

What can I say. This is a wonderfully written insight into PTSS. Reading the book basically unlocked all of the "now I know whys" that I live through. Albeit it is written from an African American point of view me as a first generation English from Caribbean descent it will make sense to us too! So pleased. Let the healing begin!

Dr. Degruy really unpacks her thesis with military precision. She presents a compelling narrative on how to understand the unique legacy of the racist trans-Atlantic slave trade and its psycho-social implications on post-colonial societies. It's a must read!

Brilliant. Highlighted issues which we Briton's are not generally a wear of. Funny, insightful, tragic, educational. 'We need more of these books, Dr, J. DeGruy'. Awesome.

an amazing book a must read, came really quickly, really good condition, couldn't put this book down, if you're interested in the truth its a good place to start