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In Angelou's biography, it discusses instances in which Angelou, a black female child, had dealt with Sexual Abuse. No one should ever have to face these challenges, but Angelou's description of these events made me realize the horror, confusion, and guilt a child must feel after these actions. After one of these instances Angelou describes, "I thought I had died"  (41). This shows the awful feelings Angelou was feeling after something as horrific as rape. She also describes her emotions after those events as she, "was crazy with shame and despair" (43). This shows the terrible events Angelou went through as a child and only some of the emotions that she was facing while going through this. Her experiences and emotions made me ask the question, How does Sexual Abuse effect minors? How do they get through these events and cope with them?

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Throughout the autobiography, Angelou brings awareness to the struggles of body image she went through because of the continuous racial injustices in her society which lead her to feel that white people were superior to black people. She described her situation as being in a, “Black ugly dream” (7). This shows her expressing her internalized belief that her physical features and race are undesirable and inferior to those of white people. She also talks about how being young specifically affected how she reacted to the racism as she was already “trained to sit quietly and listen to charges brought against [her] color with no chance of defense” (89). The multiple examples of how she was negatively affected by racism made me wonder how racism affects our youth. Most studies and books I have read in the past do not talk about the direct trauma and self imagery problems brought upon black children due to constant discrimination of their skin color. These ideas made me ask the questions: how are children affected by discrimination of their skin color? How do they cope with it?

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The autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou describes her childhood experiences as an African American woman in the 1930’s. 		The novel begins with Angelou and her older brother Bailey being sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, after their parents' divorce. Angelou's early life is marked by poverty, racism, and violence, including the rape she experienced at the age of eight. She exclaims that being discriminated against at a young age and being aware of her displacement was, “the rust on the razor that threatens the throat” (7). Despite these challenges, Angelou finds comfort in books and in her close relationship with her brother. 	The novel also explores Angelou's relationship with her mother, who comes to visit the family after several years of absence. Angelou struggles to understand her mother's behavior and feelings towards her, but ultimately comes to a greater understanding and forgiveness.		Throughout the book, Angelou grapples with issues of identity and racism, as black women not only face the common struggles of nature, but they’re, “caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate, and Black lack of power." (131). These struggles ultimately helped Angelou to find her voice as a writer and a black woman in a predominantly white society. 			The title of the book is drawn from the poem "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, which speaks to the plight of the caged bird who longs for freedom.

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The autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou describes her childhood experiences as an African American woman in the 1930’s. 		The novel begins with Angelou and her older brother Bailey being sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, after their parents' divorce. Angelou's early life is marked by poverty, racism, and violence, including the rape she experienced at the age of eight. She exclaims that being discriminated against at a young age and being aware of her displacement was, “the rust on the razor that threatens the throat” (7). Despite these challenges, Angelou finds comfort in books and in her close relationship with her brother. 	The novel also explores Angelou's relationship with her mother, who comes to visit the family after several years of absence. Angelou struggles to understand her mother's behavior and feelings towards her, but ultimately comes to a greater understanding and forgiveness.		Throughout the book, Angelou grapples with issues of identity and racism, as black women not only face the common struggles of nature, but they’re, “caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate, and Black lack of power." (131). These struggles ultimately helped Angelou to find her voice as a writer and a black woman in a predominantly white society. 			The title of the book is drawn from the poem "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, which speaks to the plight of the caged bird who longs for freedom.

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Children who have been sexually abused may display a range of emotional and behavioral reactions, many of which are characteristic of children who have experienced other types of trauma. These reactions include:

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Racism is a health issue: How it affects kids, what parents can do - Boston Children's Answers

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Racism has once again gained national attention. Following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, people around the world are taking a stand against race-based inequality and violence. But even after it fades from the news cycle, racism will remain present in the lives of children.

How children experience racism

Racism can feel deeply personal for a child. Children may experience it in the form of racial slurs. They may encounter adults who treat them as racial stereotypes, not as individuals. They may see their parents slighted or treated with disrespect. "Children can internalize harmful stereotypes," says Erica Lee, attending psychologist at Boston Children's Hospital. "Over time experiencing or witnessing discrimination can negatively impact a child's identity and self-esteem."

But racism is also a pervasive social issue that plays a large role in the environment a child grows up in, the quality of their schools, the air they breathe, the water they drink. In a 2019 report, the American Academy of Pediatrics describes racism as "a socially transmitted disease passed down through generations." Directly and indirectly, racist systems and policies contribute to health conditions that can impact a child for life.

How racism affects children's health

Racism affects children's health in numerous and complicated ways. Children who grow up in underserved neighborhoods are more likely to be exposed to air particles that increase their risk of asthma. They are at greater risk of brain and nerve damage from exposure to lead in their homes. Limited food choices and diets of highly processed foods increase a child's risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Lack of access to health care has been cited as one of the reasons children of color are less likely to survive childhood cancer.

"Racism is a socially transmitted disease passed down through generations."
- American Academy of Pediatrics

That's on the physical side - racism also affects children's mental health. Children targeted by racism have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and behavior problems. "Experiences of racial discrimination can make children feel less connected and less worthwhile," explains Lee. "A child may react by withdrawing from activities they like or speaking up less in class." Over time, learning suffers, and often, future opportunities as well.

And racism is stressful - for children targeted by racist acts as well as those who observe them. When asked to recall a racist event they'd witnessed as a child, young adults had stress responses comparable to first responders after major disasters. Over time, the hormones the body releases under stress can damage a child's physical and emotional health.

What parents can do

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by an issue like racism. But parents can protect their children from the negative health effects in a number of ways.

Acknowledge race

"Children see difference and inequality in the world around them," says Lee. In an attempt to support ideals of equality and justice, some parents prefer to overlook racial difference. "Though it may be well-intended, avoiding the topic of race can give children the message that difference is bad and they shouldn't talk about their experiences."

She recommends that parents talk openly about race and inequality with their children and expose them to role models from a variety of backgrounds. You may socialize with diverse communities or bring your child to interracial events. You may read books, buy toys, or watch movies with characters from a variety of cultural groups. "Children need language to talk about these issues and space to process their reactions with caring adults," says Lee.

Help your child build a strong cultural identity

"For children of color, hearing positive messages about their cultural history and values can provide a powerful buffer against experiences of racism," says Lee. Kids who feel proud of their racial or ethnic identity are more likely to recognize bias for what it is, and less likely to believe that they deserve to be discriminated against.

Lee stresses the importance of instilling a sense of racial and cultural identity early. "When children reach adolescence, they are more susceptible to peer influence. It's important that they have a strong sense of self and pride in who they are before they crave peer acceptance."

"Having conversations and correcting misperceptions are not only important in parent-child relationships, they apply to provider-patient relationships as well."
- Erica Lee

Teach your child to be a force for positive change

If left to fester, racism instills a sense of helplessness in both children and adults. But standing up to racism can make a difference in many ways. On a personal level, seeing they can be part of a solution teaches kids to feel empowered, not helpless. On a social level, individual and community actions can promote racial equality and justice.

You and your child might help sign people up to vote. Together, you might organize a food drive to help families facing hunger. Connect with groups in your community or reach out to national organizations such as Color of Change, Black Lives Matter, or Race Forward for ideas. "Parents can model ways to talk about racism and contribute to efforts to address it," says Lee.

Speak up for your child's health

In conversations with minority youth, Lee has heard stories of providers making assumptions about their families or backgrounds that feel insulting and alienating.

If you feel like your child's health care provider is acting on racial bias, say something. If you are uncomfortable or think the conversation may not go well, consider contacting the organization's patient relations department. Or look for a different provider. "Parents have every right to expect that the professionals who care for their child respect their cultural backgrounds and identities," says Lee. "Having conversations and correcting misperceptions are not only important in parent-child relationships, they apply to provider-patient relationships as well."

Racism may be harder to define than conditions with concrete symptoms. But its impact on children's health is no less real. It may feel personal, it has been called political. But racism is a social issue that deserves to be challenged on every level: personally and systematically, locally and nationally, immediately and for many years to come.

Read more on racism from Boston Children's.

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Racism is a health issue: How it affects kids, what parents can do - Boston Children's Answers

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Racism has once again gained national attention. Following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, people around the world are taking a stand against race-based inequality and violence. But even after it fades from the news cycle, racism will remain present in the lives of children.

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Racism is a health issue; How it affects kids, what parents can do

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Racism is a health issue; How it affects kids, what parents can do

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This source adresses my first question of how children of color are affected by racism. It focussed on both the different kinds of challenges that racism causes for children but also how parents can support their children through these challenges. The website describes that children take acts of racism much more personally and more harsh than the average adult, as Erica Lee, a psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital desribes that, “Children can internalize harmful setereotypes… Over time experiencing or witnessing discrimination can negatively impact a child’s identity and slef-esteem” (Lee). The website also goes into great detail on how children experiencing racism have much higher rates of depression, anxiety, and behavior problems. The continuous discrimination of childrens’ race and the stress that it brings cand damage their physical and emotional health.

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This website describes the emotional and physical effects that Sexual Abuse can play on minors, and how guardians can help or detect signs. The website describes that young children often react from the trauma with a range of emotional and behavioral reactions. They often have an increase in sleeping difficulties or nightmares, sudden changes in behavior, more tantrums, anxiety, and depression. Children who experience this also have tendencies to engage in traumatic play which re-enacts some aspect of the experience. The website encourages guardians to look out for these signs and teach kids body safety and to have open communication to ensure safety. It also discusses that as these children grow up, these reactions and emotions will likely get much more serious, as teenagers who experienced these actions, "might be more likely to abuse substances or engage in high-risk behaviors" (NCTSN). This shows the awful effects that Sexual Abuse can have on minors.

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Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence - Child Mind Institute

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Tips for helping kids process big emotions and tackle hard questions about racism and violence.

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Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence

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Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence

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This is a website called, "Child Mind Institute" which is dedicated to making sure that all children are taken care of both mentally and physically. This article describes what steps parents can take to help support their children which may have experienced racism and cope from it. It also provides examples as to how different children deal with racism. It describes that when children experience or witness acts of racism, they often get confused and feel unsure what to think about other races as well as their own. The article encourages parents to talk to and support their children so that their race and other peoples can be respected as unique and a good thing rather than something to look down upon. It also talks about the fear and anxiety that racism can bring to children. The article describes that many children, "may mistakenly believe that whatever they’re seeing or hearing about is an immediate danger to them and their loved ones" (CMI). The website describes that in these instances where children feel like this, parents are needed to assure their children that they are safe and to help understand the situation. These examples answer my question of how children cope with racism, as they need a guardian to help them interpret and overcome the confusing and awful action.

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Parenting a Child or Youth Who Has Been Sexually Abused

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Parenting a Child or Youth Who Has Been Sexually Abused

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This is an article meant as a guide for Adoptive parents to help guide and help their children overcome and grow from the events of Sexual Abuse. As it talks about the need for a guardian to help a child recover from such an awful event, it also talks about the impact and weight that Sexual Abuse can have on a child. The article discusses that this type of abuse on minors violates physical and emotional boundaries. It describes that after an event as traumatic as this, Children "may see the world as unsafe and adults as manipulative and untrustworthy" (4). This describes how it can be hard for a child to cope, as they often see adults trying to help them recover as 'untrustworthy' and not seek help to overcome their trauma. The article also directly describes that if a guardian is not present in a victim's life, it can be hard to overcome and grow from the event. It describes that parents or caregivers, "can play a central role in [their] child's healing process, as well as in 'building resilience'" (1). This helped me to answer my question of how children can cope with such a horrific event and how it impacts them.