Navigating Trauma-Informed Social Change Amidst the Chaos of News and Social Media

As I sit here on my day off, hauling boxes of books, pillows, and plants back to my psychotherapy office, I find my thoughts consumed by the intersection of trauma, social change, and their relationship with the news and social media. It's a topic that has been on my mind, and today, I want to share my thoughts and intentions.

1. Power-With Discourse:

My primary goal in discussing this is to advocate for a trauma-informed approach to social change that emphasizes "power-with" discourse over "power-over." I believe in creating a brave and psychologically safe space for all individuals, regardless of their social and educational backgrounds. It's essential to include college-educated and working-class individuals without a college degree, ensuring that we embrace as many diverse social locations as possible. I don’t want to use coercive power to fight coercive power. It is traumatizing to usher in social change this way.

• Power With: "Power With" is a collaborative and mutual approach to power and influence. It emphasizes working together, cooperation, and shared decision-making. In a "Power With" dynamic, individuals or groups collaborate to achieve common goals, and power is distributed more evenly. It often involves consensus building, empathy, active listening, and a focus on collective well-being. This approach is often associated with democratic and inclusive leadership styles and seeks to empower others rather than dominate them.
• Power Over: "Power Over" represents a more authoritarian or coercive approach to power. It involves one party exerting control and dominance over others. In a "Power Over" dynamic, decisions and actions are often dictated by those with authority, and there may be limited input or consent from others. This approach can lead to inequality, oppression, and conflicts of interest. It may involve manipulation, fear, and a disregard for the rights and well-being of those who are subject to the exercise of power. Too often, in our attempts to usher in "Power With" we use the tactics of "Power Over" which drives me bonkers.

2. Becoming Accountable:

My second intention is that I'm on a personal journey to become better at trauma-informed social change. To achieve this, I have a favor to ask of you. Will you be my accountability partner? Together, we can explore how to navigate this complex landscape in a more conscious and informed manner.

The Middle East Conflict and Its Impact:

Moving my office back to its rightful place after water damage gave my mind space to wander and ponder and then poof an article is birthed. To my book coach trying to keep me accountable to writing, maybe I need to help friends move. As I carry boxes, I can't help but wonder how we are consuming news and social media about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and how it influences our ability to foster trauma-informed social change.

Listening to Diverse Perspectives:

In my personal life, I've made an effort to engage with friends who have diverse viewpoints and who are closer to the Middle East conflict than I am. My circle includes Zionist Jewish friends, Muslim acquaintances from various parts of the world, some pro-Palestine, some pro-Hamas, some anti-Jewish, some anti-Israel, non-Zionist and very anti-Israel Jewish friends, far-left liberal individuals staunchly pro-Palestine, as well as Europeans who are staunchly anti-American.

I've come to appreciate the value of holding space for these conversations and listening to their hearts and perspectives. For me, understanding people's experiences and viewpoints is far more impactful than the information presented in the news or social media. I get my history book reading lists from my friends in the area.

My Academic Background:

My undergraduate studies in political science, with a focus on international relations, provided me with a foundation to analyze the situation. And at the same time, American universities are hotbeds of bias so I pay attention a lot to my US bias. Nonetheless, the Middle East has always fascinated me, and I'm continually intrigued and, at times, terrified by the larger statecraft at play, involving China, Russia, Iran, and the United States.

Confronting Personal Bias:

One interesting quirk I've discovered about myself is that I find confronting my personal biases enjoyable rather than threatening. It sparks a creative sense of vitality and possibility within me. I've learned to approach this process with self-love and grounding, avoiding the pitfalls of white guilt or American guilt. I take my time to consider my thoughts carefully, resisting the urge to perform the "good white girl" in how I turn up on social media. But I also notice that some groups truly believe they are so much on the "right side" that they have no bias. That kind of hubris is something I have to work hard at not judging. I am biased about bias. Lol.

The Impact of News on Well-being:

However, I must admit that consuming the news and social media about this war has had an icky impact on me. It feels like I've been tossed into a toaster, coming out feeling burnt, fragile, and less resilient, making it challenging to listen to those I care about. Reading about this dang war took a toll on my physical health as I depleted my immune system and battled one of the worst colds I have had in twenty years (I am sure my immune system hasn’t seen a lot of germs in a while too.)

Research on News Consumption:

Interestingly, there is compelling research that supports the idea that the news can be detrimental to our well-being. It appears that the news often elicits our trauma and affects us in ways that aren't beneficial. People watching the news tend to feel more traumatized than those directly involved in the events being reported. A 2020 BBC article provides a summary of some of these findings.

The News as a Trauma Trigger:

We all experience trauma as humans, and in most cases, we manage to overcome it. However, we must learn to take care of the traumas that we don’t organically overcome with gusto. Taking good care of ourselves in the face of trauma not only contributes to our personal well-being but also plays a pivotal role in creating a better world, one characterized by compassionate social change.

But when we don't attend to our bodies, our thinking, or lack the agency to stop trauma's impact, and when we don't receive the needed social support, trauma can become disordered. The effects of trauma can manifest as recurring and often unwanted intrusive thoughts, flashbacks to traumatic images or scenes, nightmares, emotional numbness or hardening, tension in the body, avoidance of all trauma-related stimuli, hyperarousal, and significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.

Taking Care of Our Trauma:

• Seek Safety and Support: Ensure your immediate physical safety. If necessary, remove yourself from the traumatic situation. Reach out to friends, family, or a support network. Talking about your experience with trusted individuals can provide emotional relief.
• Allow Yourself to Feel: Acknowledge your emotions, even if they are painful or difficult. It's normal to feel a range of emotions after a traumatic event, including fear, anger, sadness, and confusion.
• Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that promote physical and emotional well-being. This can include getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
• Limit Exposure to Triggers: Minimize exposure to reminders or triggers of the traumatic event, especially in the early stages of recovery. This might include avoiding news coverage or specific locations.
• Use Coping Strategies: Learn and practice coping strategies such as grounding techniques, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises. These can help you manage anxiety and flashbacks.

The Impact of Trauma on Our Responses to Injustice and War:

If changing one's point of view becomes linked to images of war, and we already carry lingering trauma within us, we might find ourselves reacting intensely to those around us. We may become authoritarian in our speech or activism, seeking a sense of power and agency over a situation that feels out of control. Alternatively, we might numb out, disassociate, or experience depression. My friend, Dr. Marty Cooper, aptly describes depression as "ungrieved futility." It often stems from our inability to grieve the limited control and agency we have in certain situations.

Change and the Nervous System:

Changes in our thinking or behavior can dysregulate the nervous system, which may cling to what it knows to find calm. Alternatively, we may thrash about, searching for power, protection, and control through religions, strong leaders, ideologies, or collective action. While these coping strategies can be beneficial for well-being if they arise from a reactive trauma response rather than an integrated and centered body, even positive actions can inadvertently cause harm.

A Trauma-Informed Approach to engaging in social change:

For me, rethinking my approach to posting on social media, consuming news, and discussing politics and war has become imperative. I'm asking myself if I can engage in these activities in a trauma-informed way, considering the well-being of all individuals involved, myself, and people I don't agree with. If we genuinely aspire to usher in social change, our capacity to influence must first come from our ability to listen deeply to others. This form of listening, often encountered in psychotherapy, is the catalyst for change.?

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the intersection of trauma, social change, and news/social media consumption is a challenging one to navigate. However, by adopting a trauma-informed approach, we can reclaim our agency and work towards the power-with discourse that is essential for meaningful societal transformation.

As I continue on my journey towards trauma-informed social change, I invite you to join me as an accountability partner. Point out when I am being condescending or icky.? I want to hear when my social location bias has a big blindspot or invalidates your point of view, preferably in a psychologically safe conversation. Together, we can ensure that our commitment to this cause remains unwavering, even in the face of the news-induced toaster effect. Let's rise above the burnout, hold space for important conversations, and strive for a more psychologically safe and compassionate world.

May you have a peaceful holiday or winter break and a Happy New Year!

Much Love,

Traci