Introduction
The legacy of oppression and racism in America continues to adversely affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) as they experience trauma and racial stress attributed to discrimination and other daily microaggressions. Some of the most affected individuals are BIPOC children who experience or witness traumatic events in American society. Forced separation due to deportations of immigrants is one of the traumatic events that BIPOC children continue to experience in the current U.S. society.
The deportation policies in the country have allowed America to separate parents from their children and return them to dangerous environments in the country of their origin, as their kids remain in the United States (Sinha, 2022). Such experiences can adversely affect the immediate victims and others who witness them through media or in person, leading to psychological problems that could get better or worse, depending on how adults intervene. This essay will discuss how forced separation due to deportation affects BIPOC children.
Adverse Effects of Forced Separation on BIPOC Children
Personalizing Separation as an Attack on Self and Family
Children affected by forced separation will likely perceive them as attacks on themselves and their parents. A child may not understand why law enforcement agents are taking them away or arresting their father or mother (Sinha, 2022). The experience makes the affected BIPOC children feel powerless and hopeless because they cannot do anything to get along with the aggressor.
Given that some illegal immigrants escape turbulent environments in their homes, a child might think the people they were escaping from have finally caught up with them (Sinha, 2022). They might also hate America because they think it is working with their enemies to return their parents to their country of origin. It can be a painful experience for a child in a detention center who thinks about it and notices their parent has done nothing wrong except seek refuge.
Some might experience trauma as they ask what happened to them or why such events are happening to them (Menakem, 2019). They might not understand how someone can criminalize seeking help. Their attempts to understand what is happening to them or their parents can expose them to more pain.
Vicarious Trauma Among Witnessing BIPOC Children
At the same time, forced separation can also affect other BIPOC children who witness such events through media or in person. Menakem (2019) explained that historical traumas remain a significant problem for BIPOC because they are constantly exposed to events that make them relive their traumatic experiences. For example, another child who has experienced the same might be traumatized if they see what the law enforcement agents are doing at the border. The experiences of other BIPOC children might overwhelm them, even though they only see it in the media. At the same time, the event might affect other BIPOC children whose parents are illegal immigrants because they might think they are about to suffer the same fate.
Sadness, Depression, and Anxiety from Forced Separation
Traumatic events like forced separation might have adverse long-term effects on BIPOC children. Menakem (2019) noted that being a direct victim or witnessing traumatic events could overwhelm people to the point of incapacitating them. One of the immediate impacts of such experiences is sadness. BIPOC children are likely to cry when they see the authorities separating them from their parents or see how they do it to others in the media. Such sadness can lead to depression in the long term, making some of them often cry whenever they remember what happened to them (Yaafouri, 2022).
Besides, BIPOC children who witness forced separation might suffer anxiety because they do not know what they have seen is likely to happen to them. Some children can live in fear, imagining that the authorities are likely to arrest their parents and deport them if they know they are in the country illegally.
Resentment Toward the Country and Its People
Additionally, affected children might change how they view others and the country. Some might resent the country or its people for subjecting them to suffering. Menakem (2019) explained that people try to find a way around the terror they experience if they cannot understand why horrible things have happened to them. A child might not understand that it is illegal for someone to cross from one country to another without following the proper process (Sinha, 2022). They may not understand why it would be a crime for someone to escape horrible things in their country of origin only for the United States to decide they should go back.
Damaged Self-Esteem and Internalized Shame
The traumatic experience can also change how BIPOC children view themselves, hurting their self-esteem. Menakem (2019) pointed out that traumatic events can make people internalize them if they can find a way to understand them. They might think that something is defective in them (Menakem, 2019). For example, a Black child might think others are treating them that way because there is something wrong with them, which could hurt their self-esteem and affect how they interact with others in school and later in life.
Institutional Triggers That Reinforce Trauma
Several events can make the traumatic experiences of BIPOC children worse or better. First, being exposed to other triggers might make their experiences worse. Menakem (2019) explained that institutional factors could reinforce personal trauma. A child who has suffered the first traumatic experience due to forced separation could suffer adverse effects if, later on, they are exposed to racial discrimination in school settings.
The correlation between their first experience and institutional racism, whether at school, work or in society, can trigger their traumatic experience and lead to worse symptoms. Some might begin to cry again, withdraw from others, or suffer other psychological disorders (Yaafouri, 2022). In contrast, such people can get better if they get help and live in a warm environment that accepts and embraces them (Yaafouri, 2022). For example, their experiences could improve if they get counseling or rarely encounter discriminatory school practices.
Pathways to Healing Through Support and Counseling
Lastly, adults can help children who experienced forced separations to cope with trauma. The first thing they should do is try to explain the situation to the child to enable them to understand what has happened or why it had to occur. Doing so can prevent them from finding a way around it or internalizing the occurrence (Menakem, 2019). Next, they should express love, care, and support to the affected child to make them feel someone cares and appreciates them. The symptoms of traumatic experiences worsen when children think something is wrong with them.
Third, they should comment positively about the affected children and express optimism about their abilities. Adults should empower affected children and give them a voice (Im & Swan, 2021). Lastly, they should refer them to professional therapists to get help if the event significantly affects their psychological well-being (Yaafouri, 2022). Therefore, adults can play a significant role in determining whether affected children will get worse or better after experiencing or witnessing forced separation.
Conclusion
In summary, forced separation can adversely affect BIPOC children, especially if exposed to other microaggressions in society. The immediate victims of forced separation may not understand what is happening to them, forcing them to get around it or internalize the experience. Others who watch it on media might also suffer traumatic experiences and similar symptoms that could include anxiety or depression. Adults should help affected BIPOC children reduce the impact of traumatic events in their lives. They should explain to them what has happened, protect them from other microaggressions like discrimination, and help them get professional counseling.
References
Im, H., & Swan, L.E.T. (2021). Working towards culturally responsive trauma-informed care in the refugee resettlement process: Qualitative inquiry with refugee-serving professionals in the United States. Behavioral Science, 11(11), 155. Web.
Menakem, R. (2019). Resmaa Menakem intergenerational trauma [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Sinha, A. (2022). A linage of family separation. Articles in Law Reviews & Other Academic Journals, 87(2), 445- 500.
Yaafouri, L.E. (2022). Restoring students’ innate power: Trauma-responsive strategies for teaching multilingual newcomers. ASCD.