Time to Heal?: Trump Supporters, the GOP, and the Push for No Accountability
Working with those who are involved in the justice system because of making problematic decisions, there is this understanding that exploring the reasons for decisions and making the conscious choice to make different ones in the future is a part of the treatment process.
This does not negate the fact that many with whom I work or have worked are dealing in systems that disproportionately sentence/incarcerate BIPOC or over-police their communities
Yet, n this work, it may not be society, but instead their individual communities, family, and friends to whom they must verbalize accountability.
And in this, there is an understanding that Forgiveness may be sought, but it is not promised to you
Remorse does not mean no consequences will happen or that one gets to choose them when they do
Because in making decisions that cause harm to others, one’s choice in how that harm will be perceived or the expectation for responses to it, are left to those who are hurt
In previous posts, I have talked about how the world often pressures those who are harmed to “move beyond” the hurt — -even without acknowledgement of the harm or a plan to rectify it being developed.
Within the past week, the world watched as the normalization of white supremacist beliefs, xenophobia, homophobia, etc that were championed by the United States’ President over the past 5 years, culminated in what many marginalized communities predicted
Because we are not “new to this” oppression or violence aimed at our humanity
But that surprised many within the White community
There was a clear willingness to bring violence to the Nation’s Capitol with the goal of upholding white supremacy because voter suppression attempts did not work
Those who had previously viewed racism and xenophobia as at a minimum “not a dealbreaker” and moreso as being points of pride
Utilized the same White Privilege that they denied having, to storm the Capitol.
Yet, when the fallout came, the excuses from these same groups were
“We didn’t mean it”
“I wasn’t thinking”
And the push began for “healing” without accountability
Note: Expecting Accountability is Self-Preservation and Self-Care.
Too often, those harmed are gaslit with the idea of “healing” or “coming together”
Because this serves those who have caused harm and know that the Healing Narrative will minimize the insistence on justice
Healing does not happen without work being done
Healing does not negate that consequences are necessary
Healing needs to include justice
As a psychologist, do I recognize the emotional benefits of healing? — -absolutely
And at the same time, it is at the behest of the Harmed when this can and should occur, and what it needs to look like
In this instance, those who were willing to enact violence at the Heart of what is (although moreso a “work in need of progress”) American Democracy
Are not the people who get to determine or demand this happen
So, let the healing begin
When those who are marginalized and oppressed deem it so
#CapitolRiots #Impeachment #Healing #DrTyffani
Dr. Dent is a licensed psychologist. Her hardest job is being a Black Woman who centers the experiences of Black women and girls. She recognizes America for what it is and her Healing Journey requires justice be served.