In allyship, solidarity, and partnership, Insightful Release Counseling is using this platform with the acknowledgment of the inherent privilege by taking action and asking Sari Wyckoff (she/her/hers), as a clinical therapist, and as a POC, to write blog posts from her point of view directly. To know more about Sari, please click the Meet Our Therapists tab.
“Being in White Spaces”
This can be a thought that comes in a POC’s mind. There can be a hypersensitivity emerging from being in spaces with white individuals. Where does this emerge from? The etiology of this can be very complex for each POC. This should definitely be addressed in safe spaces.
What do these white spaces encompass? That can be a variety of situations and systemic structures. It can be living in certain towns, going to certain schools, stores, work environments etc. Imposter syndrome can form in these spaces as well with lack of diversity. Mental health can be affected from this construct alone. This can lead to symptoms related to depression, anxiety and trauma.
I would say increase your awareness of what emerges for you when you are in “white spaces.” Do physiological symptoms arise such as your heart rate increasing, body posture feeling more slumped, breath becoming more shallow? Do you feel a sense of worry, sadness, or flight or fight mode? It is hard to prevent yourself from being in white spaces making it imperative to empower yourself and find forms of safety in these spaces. Also, find more areas of universality. The feeling of confinement and not being around ancestral links can be painful. It is important to be around environments where you feel safe. That can be examples of family settings, cultural events, and organizations.
Here is a quote from a 31 year old African woman that defines her idea of being in “white spaces”.
“I feel uncomfortable, I don’t like them, feel like they are better than me, got to be fake, feel like you got to be on edge around them, feel like they are fake around me, feel they are all racist no matter how close you are. Don’t like feeling like the thought of feeling less than. They are entitled. This is not slavery days. They will always be ahead of us. We will never be as good as them, cause they will always one step ahead of us. We can never be equal.”
From this quote you can feel the pain this woman feels on a daily basis. I’m sure other POCs can relate. What can stop this feeling? There will never be a quick fix to ease the pain from oppression. Through healing by utilizing methods of holistic practices, self care, emotional regulation, and spirituality these can be there as support to nurture the pain. It is finding the healthiest source for you. I challenge you to pay more attention to the white spaces you are in and how that impacts you.
Sari Wyckoff, M.S, L.A.C, N.C.C