Traumatic experiences such as physical and psychological abuse, injustice and exploitation are public health hazards with generational ramifications.
There is increasing evidence from the field of epigenetics that our environments including traumatic events have the power to modify our genes and these altered genes can be passed on to subsequent generations.
Way before the advent of the science of epigenetics humans had already figured out that if they traumatize people and break their spirits, they are likely to subjugate them and assure their position of power over them. The legacy of trauma pays dividends for years to come.
Those in a position of power use this result to promote a narrative of their superiority after having carefully set up others to fail.
We have many examples of this phenomenon around the world today. There is an important epidemiological research done by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente in the United States called the ACE study (Adverse Childhood Events).
The research has shown a dose-response relationship between adverse childhood events and the development of future health problems. In this study, children who experienced adverse childhood events such as physical and emotional abuse, exposure to violence, or those who have incarcerated household members, or even divorced parents etc were found to have higher likelihood of developing health problems as adults including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer as well as emotional problems, such as depression, substance use disorders and shortened life spans.
Children and youth who are neglected and grow up in traumatizing environments are being set up to repeat the cycle of trauma and chronic illnesses that will perpetuate the economic and social marginalization of their community.
Without a doubt another age-old evil genius that sets up societies to fail is the divide and conquer tactic that pits one community against another. Perpetrators of this kind of wickedness covertly instigate and support conflict between groups while reveling in the consolidation of their power at the expense of chaos that destroy many livelihoods.
Besides the obvious death and destruction this tactic brings, it also systematically tears the very fabric of community structures that are essential for public health. There is no health without peace. Ethiopia and Ethiopians have decades old history of individual and collective trauma. There are likely thousands of Ethiopians both at home and in the diaspora, who have a history of heart wrenching and horrifying traumatic experiences, whose stories we have not yet heard.
The personal and collective tragedies we hear that rock us to the core of our beings are representative voices of our sisters and brothers whose resilience and courage to survive are worth fighting for. How do we fight for them and for all of us? Mobilize the power of the community Although the scars of injustice, exploitation, physical and emotional trauma are often passed on from generation to generation with serious health consequences, luckily, the community itself has tremendous power to promote healing.
There are multiple medical researches documenting that strong social connection is highly protective against the effects of trauma. It is very probable that the resilience of the people of Ethiopia is due to the strength of the community itself. We should guard this treasure at all cost and instill in the younger generation the values of collaboration, respect and accountability.
The practice of kindness, empathy and compassion towards others in our community is the most important step we can take during times of trauma. Create a safe environment Combat the cultural tendency to hide vulnerability and provide a safe and controlled environment for people to talk about traumatic experiences.
This is especially important for women who are victims of sexual violence who are often victimized twice when society shuns them rather than their sexual predators. Given the shortage of professionally trained counselors, traditional and religious personnel can be trained to extend counseling services to many who need them.
There are also many personal and community level responsibilities and actions that don’t require formal training. People should shut down conversations that will likely instigate conflict, especially in social media, and hold government officials accountable to uphold zero tolerance policy towards violence of any kind against anyone, anywhere.
Question authority Ethiopians should question government policies that potentially set them up to fail especially in areas of education and public policy. For instance, why do most Ethiopian students stop high school education after 10th grade? Who is in charge of assuring that schools and centers of higher learning have curricula and teachers who adequately meet standards? What is being done to curb rampant use of substances and other mind-numbing social activities especially among the youth? It should concern all of us that the future of this nation is now on the shoulders of the youth who have been given very little to be educationally competitive or socially responsible.
Lastly, let us do some work Bessel Van der Kolk, MD, the medical director of the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute (JRI) in Boston Massachusetts in the United States, who is one of the premier trauma specialists in the country teaches that when trauma survivors use their pent-up energy in the building effort of their community, the activity has healing effects on the victims themselves. We can’t change the past and not all damage will heal but we have the power to minimize the effect of traumatic ramifications to further generations by the actions we take today. Just about now we should be about building each other up, and our communities.
When we refuse to let our children inherit the legacy of trauma and take charge of our current affairs,we stop false narratives about us and our future looks bright.
Herald December 25/2018
BY SOSENA KEBEDE, MD, MPH
