Mark Hurren’s Post

One of the greatest challenges of racial healing and Black mental wellness is eradicating the monolithic mindset on all asides of the table. We have lumped Blackness as one of the solid identity while forgetting that it is comprised of many parts and the development of American Blackness (Blackness is a global identity and not just an American one) as an identity was a result of having our individual cultures, practices, and ethnicities stripped from us. While we have developed a sense of our own new identity, it does eliminate the presence of those things which made each of us. Ridding ourselves of the monolith mindset takes on going work and constancy consciousness of our actions toward each other both within the Black community and across cultures as well. We do, in fact, have sub-cultures within our culture. Only then will we begin to see Black people from a humanistic and individual standpoint whose experiences hand many commonalities and cultural connections. We can advance the movement and culture without pushing people to adapt and identity that strips them of or disregards their personal uniqueness or trauma responses. There are many, many more layers to this discussion…

One of the greatest challenges of racial healing and Black mental wellness is eradicating the monolithic mindset on all asides of the table. We have lumped Blackness as one of the solid identity while forgetting that it is comprised of many parts and the development of American Blackness (Blackness is a global identity and not just an American one) as an identity was a result of having our individual cultures, practices, and ethnicities stripped from us. While we have developed a sense of our own new identity, it does eliminate the presence of those things which made each of us. Ridding ourselves of the monolith mindset takes on going work and constancy consciousness of our actions toward each other both within the Black community and across cultures as well. We do, in fact, have sub-cultures within our culture. Only then will we begin to see Black people from a humanistic and individual standpoint whose experiences hand many commonalities and cultural connections. We can advance the movement and culture without pushing people to adapt and identity that strips them of or disregards their personal uniqueness or trauma responses. There are many, many more layers to this discussion…

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, serving as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the challenges that remain in pursuit of true equity for all. This Juneteenth, let's celebrate the strength and resilience of Black Americans while acknowledging the distinct mental health obstacles they face. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 Here are three concrete ways you can take action: 👂🏾 Listen & Learn — Engage with Black stories and perspectives. One unique way to do this: Join the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture's Meditation Mondays to explore Black history through mindfulness. Sign up here for the June 24 event: https://lnkd.in/eDk-Netn 🗣️ Amplify Black Voices — Share resources from Black mental health experts. One of our favorites is Dr. Mariel Buqué, author of “Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma." Check out her free writing prompts for healing: https://lnkd.in/ehz7p7VW 🤝🏿 Break the Stigma in the Black community — Initiate open conversations about mental health and offer judgment-free support. Not sure how to get talking? Talk Away the Dark offers tips on starting a #RealConvo: https://lnkd.in/exmxQtgm Whether you're part of the Black community or an ally, you have a role to play in championing Black mental health. To learn more about the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities and potential solutions, check out our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/envA-GnJ #Juneteenth #BlackMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters

Hey Beautiful, let’s talk about the wisdom that only a Black mother can impart—the kind that stitches itself into the fabric of our being, the kind that we call on in our most challenging moments. This isn’t just advice; it’s the foundation of who we are. Think about those long talks on the front porch or those kitchen table conversations where your mother didn’t just pass down recipes but life lessons steeped in resilience and grace. How has her wisdom been your guide? How has her strength become your inheritance? Today, let's delve into the treasure trove of wisdom that has guided us through life's complexities as Black women. Share a pivotal lesson your mother taught you, one that has reverberated through your life and shaped your journey. 🌹🕊️ Let's come together and share the stories of our mothers' teachings—how they instilled in us the demand for respect, the value of self, and the courage to face life unflinchingly. Through these stories, we keep their spirits alive and burning bright within us. I invite you to reflect on how your mother’s wisdom has been a lantern in the dark, a steady force in the whirlwind of life’s challenges. Share your reflections below, and let’s honor their profound impact on us and celebrate the wisdom passed down through generations. #MotherlessDaughters #LegacyOfLove #livewithintention #sheconquers #blackwomenatwork #winsomewhinesome #blackwomenlead

💛 HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH 💛 February is Black History Month, which acknowledges the hardships and triumphs of the black community in the United States and worldwide. We want to especially highlight the importance of black mental health, with s****de being the 3rd leading cause of death among African Americans 10-24 years old in 2021. Often, this can be due to not seeking help out of fear of racial discrimination and medical bias. Please join us in emphasizing that #blackmentalhealthmatters. The prioritization of black mental health support — and research — could help save lives. -- Statistics source: https://rb.gy/b2veo5 #blackhistorymonth #mentalhealth

A powerful read

Celebrate Black History Month with us! As we honor the past, we encourage you to treasure your health in every capacity. Being an organization focused on mental health, we encourage you to take a deep look at where your mental health stands right now and seek help if you need it. Did you know that mental health conditions occur in Black and African American (B/AA) people in America at about the same or less frequency than in White Americans. However, the historical Black and African American experience in America has and continues to be characterized by trauma and violence more often than for their White counterparts and impacts emotional and mental health of both youth and adults. Historical dehumanization, oppression, and violence against Black and African American people has evolved into present day racism - structural, institutional, and individual – and cultivates a uniquely mistrustful and less affluent community experience, characterized by a myriad of disparities including inadequate access to and delivery of care in the health system. Processing and dealing with layers of individual trauma on top of new mass traumas from COVID-19 (uncertainty, isolation, grief from financial or human losses), police brutality and its fetishization in news media, and divisive political rhetoric adds compounding layers of complexity for individuals to responsibly manage. (Mental Health America) These facts are not as astounding as one might think. As a former educator, I saw how much my students and their families struggled with mental health issues. They were too afraid to seek help because they were unsure of who and what were their safe spaces. If you are currently struggling, know that we are here for you and are more than happy to provide you with resources to help you regain control of your life. Feel free to reach out to us or to SAMHSA by dialing #988. We love you and we need you with us! We are all we got! #blackhistory #mentalhealthmatters #988lifeline

Dear Fellow Progressive Wh*te Folks, Please stop putting Coexist bumper stickers on your car and "In this house, we believe..." signs in your front yard. Sincerely, Those of us who give a damn. For those who understand why, no need to read further. 🌍🌈 Otherwise, feel free to keep reading . . . 🔽🔽🔽 All of the things on this sign in and of themselves represent incredibly important components to moving our country forward. BUT context is what matters here. 1.) These particular signs tend to be clustered in predominantly white neighborhoods where hardly any BIPOC folks live. Rather than signifying safety, they tend to serve as a form of virtue signaling to one's neighbors. 🏡👥 2.) Too often, the action stops at putting up the sign - as if simply stating one's beliefs makes them actionable. 🛑 3.) Many of these virtue signalers are the NIMBY (not in my backyard) folks who support progressive ideals as long as it doesn't directly impact their neighborhood and/or way of life. 🌆🤚 4.) Each of these messages/causes becomes diluted when slapped onto one sign. Each of them deserves to be named - but putting them all on one sign is, in many ways, comparable to stating that "All Lives Matter" (i.e., All Issues Matter). 🤝💬 5.) These signs became widely popular shortly after the murder of George Floyd. Rather than a statement of solidarity with Black Americans, they often served as a less inflammatory (i.e., more soft-spoken way) for progressive folks to signal that they supported Black Lives Matter AND all of this other stuff as well (so as not to be perceived as too outspoken). 😶 #allyship #socialjustice #poltics #blm #science #humanrights #empowerment #education #dei #diversityandinclusion

The history of African-Americans is complex, nuanced, rich and full—one of courage, strength, and resilience side by side an ugly, painful history of a proud, diverse people’s unyielding struggle for liberation against the yoke of inhumanity. Our resistance and refusal to submit to oppression beckon us to embrace black history as a journey of power over pain. Dr. Obari Cartman, a psychologist and author, discusses the importance of which black history narrative we tell, the perspective from which we tell it, and the intention to share the power of blackness in our chosen stories that empowers listeners. Expand your mental perspective, and celebrate the power, strength, resilience, and achievements of the African-American community found in an empowered black history narrative. #blackhistorymonth #PainOverPower #empowerment #mentalhealth #DDLSS #blackhistory #freedom #resilience #blackpower #power #resistance #narrative #redemption #africanamerican #blacklivesmatter #blackexcellence #emotionalwellness #black #OvercomingAdversity #blackpeople #blackgirlmagic #blackculture #blackmen #blackisbeautiful #explorepage #blackpride #blm #Healingjourney #explore #history #mentalwealth #PersonalGrowth #StrengthInStruggle #SelfEmpowerment #Inspiration #SocialJustice #RacialEquality

As I reflect on my days in luxury retail and on the injustices and micro aggressions witnessed and experienced, I want to share this brief article to shed light on part of why I’m embarking on this journey. This article states perfectly how many black people feel in relation to white people, especially this county. Many of us are tired of having to explain why we as a people protest and speak up loudly about wrongs against one of us. Many of us are tired of having surface level relationships with the white people in our lives. Many of us are tired of laughing at offensive and off-color jokes at work or in public settings, so we don’t offend the fragility of what is white America. I am one of “us”. I am tired of having to teach and explain the real ways of the world to my white colleagues and friends. As LeRon Barton says at the end of this article: “I ask white people who are well-meaning to practice self-reflection. Interrogate your racist blind spots. Educate yourselves. Fight against the system that oppresses us and others. Black people do not have enough time in the day to survive and help you become not racist. Being a friend is about accountability and work.“ This is for friends, colleagues and the fashion industry as a whole. I now begin my work addressing uncomfortable truths within the industry I’ve worked in for over 10 years.