Opinion

Black Mental Health, A Global Necessity

Published

9 years ago

February 21, 2017

By  Wade W. Nobles, Ph.D.,  Ifagbemi Sangodare, Nana Kwaku Berko I, and Bejana, Onebunne

It is worth noting that as we enter this Black History Month, we are just one month away from the end of the Presidency of Barack Hussein Obama, the first Black President of the United States, and one month into the beginning of the Presidency of Donald J. Trump, a billionaire businessman, who some believe has fanned and unleashed white privilege/supremacy, hatred, divisiveness, misogyny, inequality, and xenophobia which are buried in the American psyche.

Without question, now is a critical time to support, examine, guide, and monitor the issues of social justice, the healing of trauma and disenfranchisement, and the ultimate advancement of mental health and human wellness.

In the early 19th century, the German philosopher, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1956) asserted that:

“At this point we leave Africa, not to mention it again. For it is no historical part of the World; it has no movement or development to exhibit… What we properly understand by Africa, is the Unhistorical, Undeveloped Spirit, still involved in the conditions of mere nature, and which had to be presented here only as on the threshold of the World’s History.” (p. 99)

As representative of the age, Hegel’s thinking fed an emerging Western Grand Narrative that supported the belief in White (European) superiority and Black (African) inferiority. What was (is) essential to this narrative is the idea of a “linear hierarchical oppositional structure” that is the implicit legacy of the Western mindset as having epistemic certainty.

This Western Grand Narrative is the foundation for almost all the knowing frameworks in the development of American and European social behavioral sciences, especially psychology and anthropology.

The resultant paradigm for understanding has been the actual dehumanization of African people; the devaluation and disenfranchisement of African life processes; the denigration and denial of African culture; and the disregard and disrespect for African and African American intellectual contributions.

It is important to note that hegemonic imposition of the Western Grand Narrative as universal equals “Epistemicide” for most of the World’s peoples and the inability to ever achieve a fair, true, and just worldwide community.

In privileging this time of Black History Month and the above stated context, I would like to draw attention to the question of Black Mental Health as a global necessity. As counter to Hegel’s directive to leave Africa, not to mention it again, the father of Negro History Week (later to become Black History Month), Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1935), noted that:

“If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” (p. 2)

While reclaiming our history is critical, Cheikh Anta Diop (1974) noted that Africa (and African people) can only be understood by examining the domains of history, language, and psyche. It is the psyche or psychological domain that I, for obvious reasons, believe to be the most important.

It is also important to note that given the Western legacy of anti- Africanness, there is a need for a particular authentic Black Psychology, ergo Skh Djr, which requires one to think deeply and profoundly about African meanings and understandings about being human wherein one engages in deep, profound, and penetrating search, study, and mastery of the process of “illuminating” the human spirit or essence, as well as all human experience and phenomena (Nobles, 2013).

It must be noted that the unaddressed trauma of enslavement and colonization have left a legacy of psychic damage to both continental and diasporan Africans that necessitates the need for a global healing of the African mind. Black people are a world people.

Hence, Black Mental Health has to be a worldwide proposition. This is best understood within the construct of “Pan African Humanness” wherein African humanity worldwide and its intellectual and cultural developments have greater commonality (than difference) and are seen as a “particular” state of being (Nobles, 2006).

Accordingly, Black Mental Health must involve the study of the psycho-cultural, geopolitical, intellectual, and artistic history of African peoples in both its historical unfoldings and contemporary expressions worldwide across time and place.

Black Mental Health in its global context requires engagement with all forms of African intellectual, literary, and artistic production across time and space and in relationship to the differing realms of reality.

The thrust for multicultural understanding and diversity in psychology must allow for and support the “particular” in the multicultural world. Black Psychology, Asian Psychology, Hispanic Psychology, etc. must all stand and evolve within their own integrity.

The raison d’être of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) was (is) to build a psychology that respects and reflects African human authenticity. In this regard, in 2013 the Association of Black Psychologists established a joint ABPsi and FAP (Forum for African Psychology) educational task force. The charge and challenge of this coming together is to further build a psychology congruent with the culture, context, and humanity of African peoples.

In the context of Black Mental Health as a global initiative, the intent is for continental African Psychologists (South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, etc.) and Diasporan African psychologists (USA, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, England, Canada, etc.) to forge working relationships to critically examine the assumptions and paradigms concerning the understanding, development and emergence of Black/ African peoples; commit to developing a culturally grounded discipline and practice of African/Black Psychology; and endorse and adopt the development and utilization of Black/African Psychology for understanding, analyses, treatment, and restoration of Black/African spirit wellness worldwide.

This is an on-going and unfolding endeavor and African (Black) psychologists, whom I classify as Skh Djaerists, must continue to invite each other (as practitioners, academicians, students, and professionals) to join together in exploring, defining, and understanding Black Mental Health as a global necessity supportive of the full participation in wellness, freedom, and unity for African people.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Opinion: Urgent Need to Build African American Political Power in Perilous Times

Don't Miss

Op-Ed: The Drug War, Mass Incarceration and Cannabis Equity

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More

Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). File photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.

She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.

What stands out as your most important achievement this year?

Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?

The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.

What frustrated you the most this year?

The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.

What inspired you the most this year?

The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.

What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?

As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?

Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.