Elvenia Gray-Sandiford
As I poured the last of the juice from a container to serve my granddaughter a drink and gave the container a rinse, I was taken aback by what I discovered. Yellow stains adorned the supposedly brand-new container; a puzzling sight, considering that no one else had used it to for anything yellow. The juice I had served was supposed to be strawberry lemonade, sparking my curiosity.
Instead of putting the container in the dishwasher, I decided to give it a thorough wash with a white paper towel to better observe the stains. To my astonishment, the paper towel turned yellow. This prompted me to delve deeper by examining the contents of the drink. Despite its red appearance and the red powdered particles in the container, the drink was leaving yellow stains.
Upon scrutinizing the ingredients, I discovered that turmeric was listed. This revelation was surprising, as there were no visible signs of turmeric (yellow) in the drink, which appeared to be predominantly red/pink due to the strawberry flavouring. The turmeric, though invisible to the naked eye, was present enough to stain the container.
Reflecting on this discovery, I couldn’t help but contemplate how sometimes what’s right in front of us isn’t always what we truly see. As we navigate the world — whether as caregivers, helping professionals, or educators — it’s imperative to listen without assumptions, be non-judgmental, and recognize the importance of paraphrasing and questioning. Like the turmeric staining the container, there may be unseen factors influencing someone’s behaviour, necessitating a deeper understanding beyond surface appearances to acknowledge the humanness in everyone.
How can we ensure that we’re not inadvertently causing harm to those with whom we interact daily? Just as the turmeric left its mark on the container, hidden traumas may influence someone’s behaviour, necessitating empathy and understanding to unveil the full picture. However, the impact of trauma extends far beyond individual experiences; it also encompasses historical and intergenerational traumas that shape our collective psyche. Centuries of prejudices and discrimination against people based on poverty, race, ability, and other differences have inflicted deep-seated suffering within marginalized communities, leaving an indelible mark on generations to come.
Often, our focus is solely on events within a person’s lifetime. However, it’s crucial to recognize the impact of historical and intergenerational traumas; events that we may not have directly experienced but are profoundly affected by nonetheless (e.g., relationship with parents).
Intergenerational trauma, inherited from parents and passed down through generations, significantly influences familial dynamics and societal interactions. Trauma alters the way parents raise their children as they navigate the need to prepare them for life’s challenges. Moreover, trauma can be transmitted through modeling, as children observe their parents navigating adverse environments. Even without explicit conversations, children learn survival mechanisms from their parents, perpetuating the cycle of trauma across generations.
To break this cycle, we must acknowledge and understand how trauma is intergenerationally transmitted within communities. By fostering awareness, humanness, kindness, and empathy, we can create spaces for healing and resilience, ensuring that unseen stains do not continue to plague our communities for generations to come. Together, we can work towards building a more compassionate and inclusive society for all.
