Numerous sites within SPS are taking a trauma-informed approach with students and sometimes families. We all know that until we take care of a student's basic needs, they may struggle in various aspects with school.

When working with diverse students, you may need to use your trauma-informed skills from a cultural perspective. Students of color, refugees, and immigrants may experience what is called "historical trauma." Historical trauma is "the cumulative emotional and psychological wounding over the lifespan and across generations, emanating from massive group trauma." For example, when you look at slavery and Jim Crow laws in the United States, the impact on African Americans has affected generations even to this day. Here are several principles you can consider when working with trauma-informed groups from a diverse perspective.

• Establish relationships based on mutuality and respect. Be humble and engage in ongoing self-reflection as it relates to your own values, history, privilege, and power. Try to understand and honor the process where organizations and survivors constantly learn from one another.
• Seek a deep understanding of the communities you work with. Know the socio-cultural, socio-political histories and the intersections of oppression and trauma with the communities you engage with. Gather your data from various sources to help you gain insight and perspective. When appropriate, use cultural traditions and values to enhance prevention or intervention.
• Understand the origins of trauma including historical, collective, and intergenerational trauma. Address the work from a social justice perspective. Pay attention to your policies and practices through this lens. Prepare yourself and colleagues to address different forms of marginalization and oppression. Be mindful of your own biases and prejudices.
• Keep the realities of the survivors central to your work. Make sure the efforts of the intervention/prevention reflect the realities of the people participating. Acquiring knowledge and involvement within the local community is critical. Also consider the subgroups present in the community which can give you a holistic view.
• Believe in the power and collective wisdom of communities. Maintain and create networks with other entities who you can collaborate with to enhance the work. Implement community engagement strategies so various entities can learn from each other as you support your participants.

Culture can be powerful in helping participants deal with trauma by strengthening community bonds. Approach the work from a social justice perspective, which lets participants know you're there to support and not fix things for them. Using these principles will let participants know you care; and that you recognize and honor their experiences.

Article: Trauma-Informed Principles Through a Culturally Specific Lens

Josie Serrata, PhD & Heidi Notario, M.A. Contributions ...nationallatinonetwork.org/images/Trauma-Informed-Principles-through-a-Culturally-Specific-Lens_FINAL.pdf.

In the last several months there have been incidents where African American people have been trying to live their everyday lives; and they've been marginalized and accused of being in the wrong places or doing things in a suspicious manner. It's called Living While Black (LWB). Since the incident at Starbucks this past April, there has been a wave of LWB incidents caught on video where law enforcement has been called to handle the situation.

Most of these incidents end up being nothing because there was no crime committed. But what if you're the person being accused of wrongdoing? Before the incident at Starbucks, their policy only allowed paying customers to use the restroom. The two African American men did not purchase anything (they were waiting for a friend). Employees asked the men to leave, they declined and the police were called. The men were arrested for trespassing but no formal charges were filed.

Organizations have been swift in denouncing these incidents. Starbucks went as far as to close more than eight thousand stores nationally to offer their employees diversity training. Employees have also lost their jobs due to the backlash. Businesses want to show the public that they're being proactive and the actions of their employees will not be tolerated.

Here are several videos that reflect LWB. Use the prompts below to explore your perceptions as you try to view them with a critical lens.

• Why are all of these incidents happening now?
• Could privilege be playing a role in increased incidents?
  
• How would you react if you were the person being accused?
• Do you think these incidents would have happened if they were White?

Community Pool Incident

Permit Patty

Trying to Enter His Own Apartment Building

Cornerstore Caroline