Have you ever heard the term “generational trauma?” It is the idea that a group of people can experience a collective experience of distress that affects the generation that follows them. 

Psychological research has proven that generational trauma has affected the next generation’s social, economic, health, and emotional wellbeing.

Have you ever considered the generational trauma that is experienced after hundreds of years of systemic racism? Year after year and generation after generation of Black Americans have experienced immeasurable and incredible discrimination, inequity, and injustice by Euro-Americans. 

Now consider, in what ways, both seen and unseen, that generational trauma of racism has affected Black Americans’ wellbeing. 

We sat down with scholar and author Dr. Monica A. Coleman to discuss her experience with trauma and how the suicide of her grandfather continues to affect her life today. 

Coleman is the Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Delaware. She has authored numerous books, including Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith.

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This podcast episode is brought to you by The Center for Congregational Health, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, and McAfee School of Theology Doctor of Ministry program. 

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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following eight years as the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton and five years as CBF’s church start specialist. Follow on Twitter @haleandy