Community healing can be a powerful resource for those of us who feel isolated in a world that can feel discouraging. Young black woman appears to be in a free fall behind a red backdrop with her eyes closed. Her facial expression is neutral.
Ba Bunansa - Online Therapist in Dallas TX

Ba Bunansa, MS, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH
I am an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist for Texas teens, adults, and the AAPI community. I work with teens and adults online throughout Texas and in person for residents of Plano and surrounding areas.

Content Warning: Exploration of societal biases in the United States, harmful narratives, and their mental health implications. But we’re also exploring community healing and the power that it has for marginalized groups struggling with chronic stress.

Proceed with care for yourself!

We’re here to talk about community healing.

But first, let’s start with a little Dwight Schrute-ism…

Fact: Living in the United States means living in a diverse country. 

Now, let’s counter that with a little bit of fiction: living in this diverse country means that we live in a big “melting pot,” where we all come together to create a rich tapestry of connected communities, providing care and support across cultural boundaries.

The reality is, despite how diverse the population of the US actually is, people can easily find themselves living in smaller enclaves of others who look just like them—who share similar ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. 

That can make it really, really easy for dominant narratives to bubble to the surface, asserting themselves as truth and changing with any and every shift in the wind. 

This has a huge impact on our collective mental health… And we need to look to community healing to get through it.

Marginalized Groups and White-Centric, Christian Culture

The United States clearly has a difficult history—awareness of our country’s less-than-great origins has spread over the past few decades, moving up and out of our (questionable) history books and into popular culture.

But historically, European colonizers—primarily of Christian faith—have heavily influenced the cultural, social, and political fabric of the United States. And, hundreds of years later, we still have a Euro- and Christian-centric framework throughout American society. 

Is this wholly and completely a bad thing? Should white folx and those of Christian faith be ostracized? Of course not! We’re not here to blame and shame. 

Blaming and shaming others prevents us from experiencing the power of community healing! A scene from Avengers: Infinity War where the character T'Challa AKA Black Panther says, "We don't do that here." His line is also subtitled at the bottom of the image.

But it’s important to recognize that, in the United States, this is our dominant narrative. We center white, Christian perspectives, reflected not only in holidays and religious practices, but also in media representation, policy-making, and social norms… 

Including public perception.

In a society like ours, harmful stereotypes and false assumptions often target marginalized groups that may not fit within the standard white- or Christian-centric ideals. And these aren’t simply rumors born of ignorance and repeated by people who don’t know better. They’re often really harmful narratives purposely perpetuated by individuals or groups with sinister agendas.

It might sound dramatic. For some folx, it’s difficult to accept that the toxicity in our society is a feature and not a bug. But we need to strongly consider it, at least, if we want to try and navigate within and around the existence of these narratives.

After all, these stereotypes and assumptions might seem abstract or even silly. But they play a significant role in shaping societal attitudes and behaviors. 

And they can have a serious impact on the marginalized groups they target.

The Impact of Harmful Narratives

Negative stories about certain groups of people do more than just shape what others may think. (As if that weren’t harmful enough, right?) They also create a world in which it’s okay to be open about our ignorance and intolerance, and to act on those feelings by way of discrimination. 

The impact isn’t always direct. It can operate like a hidden current influencing the way people perceive themselves and how others see them. This current can validate discrimination and normalize the marginalization of entire groups.

To get a little Instagram-pop-psychology for a second, that’s a lot of negativity. And that negativity begins to seep into the collective consciousness of the individuals being targeted. They—we—can internalize those beliefs and let them impact our day-to-day reality, even before we realize we’re doing it. 

This can affect our mental health in profound and often overlooked ways. It’s a silent struggle against an unseen enemy…

An enemy made of false stories and harmful stereotypes, continually shaping our realities and influencing our lives.

Misinformation and Marginalized Groups

We live in an age where information and misinformation spread at lightning speed—no shock there. Much of it is intentional. Viral videos and memes, for example, can make money for folx… 

Even if the content is simply sensationalized to guarantee maximum outrage.

False narratives about marginalized groups often hold the spotlight. Bad actors exploit fear and ignorance to strengthen the narratives that ultimately benefit their own interests, with complete disregard for the severe consequences on the targeted individuals.

For example, a narrative might insinuate that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are unfit to be educators or caretakers. This claim is obviously completely unfounded, but it doesn’t matter—it still serves to stigmatize and ostracize an enormous group of people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Similarly, immigrants might be wrongfully painted as threats to local economies or even public safety, while some non-Christian communities still battle centuries-old myths rooted in prejudice and nothing more. 

More common racial biases include long-standing characterizations like:

  • Asian Americans being labeled as the “model minority” or perpetually “foreign;”
  • Black and Latino communities facing stereotypes of being “lazy” or even “criminal;” or
  • Native Americans being reduced to outdated, romanticized notions that marginalize their genuine struggles, diminish their vibrant traditions, and overshadow the historical and ongoing systemic injustices they face.

These narratives aren’t accurate reflections of the groups they describe. They’re fictions usually designed to scapegoat and dehumanize. 

What All This Stress Really Looks Like

Prolonged exposure to stress—including stress stemming from societal biases—directly affects our mental and physical health. You don’t need to experience a direct confrontation or discriminatory incident to struggle with a state of chronic stress. 

This can look like anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues—things many of us endure, often without recognizing its root cause. We often internalize the status quo, assuming “it is what it is” and forgetting to question even our own assumptions!

Think of the teen who’s too afraid to come out to family and friends because of the preconceived notions they may have absorbed about the LGBTQIA+ community… Or the immigrant who works so hard to embrace the opportunities that come their way to support themselves and their loved ones—but who still fear the stereotype that they’re “lazy” or “here to take our jobs.” 

Think of the microaggressions…

In other words, those subtle, everyday digs that serve as reminders that we’re “different.” Questions like, “Where are you really from?” or “Why are you wearing that headcovering?” 

On their own, maybe one or two questions don’t seem like a big deal to the casual observer. But to the person who has to keep answering these questions, the impact builds over time, reinforcing the feeling of being an “other.”

And then there are the lessons many of us learn from an early age: driving cautiously to avoid police confrontation, working twice as hard to get half the recognition, or being hyper-aware of our surroundings at any given time. 

These cumulative experiences wear down our psyche. It’s a weight many of us carry, often without realizing the toll it’s taking. Recognizing that the stress is there, that it’s valid, and that it’s linked to broader societal issues is the first step toward healing and finding our solid ground.

Understanding Privilege in the Context of Community Healing

As we delve into the impact of harmful narratives on marginalized groups and the power of community healing to act as a balm, it’s essential to acknowledge the role of privilege. 

Privilege, often unseen by those who have it, doesn’t necessarily mean someone has had an “easy” life. The concept instead refers to the unearned advantages or immunity granted to certain groups in society. This can manifest as being shielded from the daily challenges and biases that marginalized groups face. 

Recognizing privilege isn’t about assigning blame or establishing a hierarchy. It’s about understanding and navigating the uneven playing field of our society. By acknowledging their position, individuals with privilege can actively engage in community healing. They can use their position to advocate for inclusivity and challenge the status quo. This understanding is crucial for true community healing because it fosters empathy and promotes action towards a more equitable society.

Community Healing as The Ultimate Support

When we’re dealing with subject matter as heavy as this, seeking support becomes crucial. We need to find truly safe places where we can feel validated and understood—where we can take a deep breath—and where we can seek pathways toward healing. 

Access to mental health services, though, isn’t always straightforward. We can face barriers like cost, language, and cultural competency of providers. Stigma surrounding mental healthcare within our own communities can also deter us from being too open about the help we need.

The good news is that there are places to start—there are community therapy clinics, sliding scale fees, and ways to find culturally-sensitive therapy.

But professional mental health care is just one piece of the puzzle. Community and social support networks play an equally significant role. Families, friends, mentors, and trusted community members can offer emotional support, validation, and advice. Online communities and support groups can also be a source of shared understanding and camaraderie. 

Advocacy groups and organizations, as well, often provide resources, legal support, and platforms for sharing experiences and pushing for change. 

We aren’t just working to cope, friends, but to thrive

After all, that’s what we deserve!

The Undeniable Power of Community Healing

Harmful narratives can leave deep marks on our mental health. Feeling stressed or upset isn’t an overreaction—it’s a human response and a pretty appropriate one for the state of things right now!

Here’s the kicker: these narratives don’t get to tell us who we are. Every single one of us is more than a stereotype and more than a soundbite on some incendiary news program. We are a powerful mix of our own lived experiences, our strengths, and our stories.

In community healing, we find people who get it. They’ve perhaps walked in shoes that look a lot like ours, and they can lift us from a place of solidarity and care. 

Whether community, for us, looks like friends, family, or online circles, these are the spaces within which we can rediscover our worth and celebrate ourselves for the fullness of who we are.

While pushing for better mental health care access is essential, we can’t overlook the immediate power of community. It’s our shield against isolation, a tool to dismantle damaging tales, and a reminder of our collective strength.

So, what now?

No matter how else you choose to cope with the challenges of living in a culturally fragmented and discordant society, I want to encourage you to take rich, full, deep breaths; to practice real self-care, up to and including taking the actions you feel best positioned to take to address the very real environmental harms so prevalent in our world right now…

And, at the same time, to look around yourself and let yourself be buoyed by the community you’ve found. 

If you’re seeking community, good options might be found in support groups, advocacy organizations, or cultural centers focused on shared backgrounds, experiences, or challenges. Spaces like these often provide a platform for connection, understanding, and collective action against systemic issues.

Culturally sensitive therapy can also be a great place to start if you’re struggling with internalized bias or a feeling of isolation. If you’re located in Texas, please reach out!

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Ba Bunansa - Online Therapist in Dallas TX

Ba Bunansa, MS, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH
I am an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist for Texas teens, adults, and the AAPI community. I work with teens and adults online throughout Texas and in person for residents of Plano and surrounding areas.

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