Healing Beyond History

Thank you, Antonia Hylton , for such a powerful and enlightening story. Your work in 'Madness: Race And Insanity In A Jim Crow Asylum' opens crucial dialogues about our past and its profound impact on the present and future of mental health care. I had the privilege of listening to the NPR interview and finished reading the book while traveling back from LA. This journey has been eye-opening.

As a first-generation American who has witnessed my parents face unequal treatment, the thought of my family—or any family—being forced into settings like those detailed in 'Madness' is deeply unsettling. This personal connection to the struggles for equity and justice fuels my commitment to ensuring that we learn from our history to create a more compassionate and equitable future.

In exploring our history through 'Madness,' we're reminded that understanding our past is crucial for not repeating its mistakes. By confronting our collective history, we gain invaluable insights, guiding us toward a future where mental health care is characterized by understanding, empathy, and community support. This call to action is about more than policy change; it's about fostering a legacy of healing, support, and inclusivity for generations to come.

Choosing to ignore our history risks our community's well being, but embracing it with the intent to learn, grow, and heal can only strengthen our collective resolve. Join me in advocating for a mental health care system that values community as much as treatment, recognizing that our shared humanity is the strongest foundation for recovery.

Let's pledge to build a more inclusive, empathetic, and understanding world, drawing on the resilience and stories of those who navigated challenges like those at Crownsville. Together, we can ensure a legacy of healing and support that honors every individual's dignity and rights.

I found this moving short documentary by the talented Tamiera Bethea , thank you for the creation. https://youtu.be/hr5OeFGLfzU?si=cv5_sDJB9CJi8swu