Starting Your Dreams Later In Life and Embracing the Detour

Jenee Darden speaking at Creative Mornings I know it's been a while since I've posted anything but that's because of my job. I'm working as a reporter covering Oakland and I host an arts segment on the radio where I get to interview amazing artists from around the Bay Area. Plus I'm publicizing my book  and building my speaking career!  You know what's funny? I thought this would all happen by the time I was 27-30.  Nope. That wasn't God's plan for me. I'm finally beginning to do the things I've wanted to do and I'm almost 40 years old. Some people reading this who are 40 will say 40 is still young. But some younger people reading may think 40 is nearly ancient. But I'm writing this post for those who like me, thought their career and personal dreams would come true much early in life. I'm here to tell you not to give up.  You know, death inspires life. A number of my relatives and friends have passed away, ranging in
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Michael Brown and the Mental Scars of Racism and Injustice in Ferguson


Michael Brown
So much has already been said about the uprisings in Ferguson, Missouri and the unjust killing of Michael Brown. I’m tired of unarmed black men being brutalized and killed by law enforcement. I’m tired of unarmed black women being brutalized and killed by law enforcement. I’m tired of people saying we live in a “post-racial society” because we have an African-American president. I’m tired of living in one of two Americas—one for them, one for us. In one of two Americas, black people pay double the price and treated twice as bad. To paraphrase a meme I saw on Facebook—I’m tired of black people calling for justice when a black person is shot by a white person. But when a black person shoots another black person, and someone reports it, they are called a snitch. I’m tired of fearing for the black men in my circle and family. 

Racism can and does have psychological effects on people who are oppressed. From the images I’ve seen in the news, parts of Ferguson look like a war zone. The heavy police presence, gun fire, tear gas, tears of the people, marches, curfews,  protestors being assaulted, journalists silenced—I can’t help but not be concerned about people’s mental wellness. 

There were people who saw Michael Brown be shot to death. I’m sure there are people living in fear in Ferguson. Parents are worried about their black children, especially their sons. When you’re exposed to so much turmoil, and witnessing back-to-back traumatic events, that can be seriously disturbing to your mental wellness and peace of mind. 

I’m concerned about the people’s minds. I’m concerned about the children being exposed to the violence and chaos. I’m concerned about the loud boom noises that are scaring them at night. I’m concerned that they’re scared when their mommy, daddy or Uncle June leaves the house because they fear they won’t return. I’m concerned they fear they may end up like Michael Brown. 

May people think PTSD or trauma mainly affects soldiers. You don’t have to be fighting in a war overseas to have trauma. There are people in the USA suffering from trauma due to violence in their neighborhoods.  So I hope that the people in Ferguson are taking care of their mental wellness best they can. I hope when the smoke clears, there will be counselors available for children at schools to process all of this. I hope people are praying, meditating, tuning out the loud noise with music, supporting each other, loving each other and doing whatever they can to mentally survive, and not be left with too much scarring. I hope people get help and have access to help if they need to talk to someone. Racism and injustice leaves mental scars. 


Emmitt Till didn’t deserve to die. 
Latasha Harris didn’t deserve to die.
Sean Bell didn’t deserve to die. 
Mitrice Richardson didn’t deserve to die. 
Oscar Grant didn’t deserve to die. 
Trayvon Martin didn’t deserve to die
Renisha McBride didn’t deserve to die. 
John Crawford III didn’t deserve to die .
Michael Brown didn’t deserve to die.
The countless others who stories didn’t make headlines-- didn’t deserve to die. 


Racism and injustice leave mental scars. 

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