Nineteen Fifty-Six Best of 2020-2021 Melanin Magic

But despite these very
real mental health concerns,
the combination of socioeconomic
disparities, inequality of care and
social stigma prevents most Black
people from getting the treatment
they need.
“I think we may not have these
conversations because of the
negative outlook that the Black
community sometimes has when it
comes to mental health,” Hill said.
Hill said to fix anything, you have
to have conversations with people
who understand what you’re going
through.
However, before learning how to
cope with a mental health issue,
individuals must first acknowledge
the problem and understand that
everyday things can be triggers.
Although it has been vital in
spreading news and the important
narratives of activists during
protests, for some people social
media is triggering. With many
videos circulating platforms
depicting Black people being
murdered, violent encounters at
protests, biased reporting from
news outlets and more, some have
difficulty staying informed while
also staying in the right mind
frame.
“We’ve seen enough videos of people
dying,” Turner said.
She said she avoids videos like that
and prefers news outlets like NPR
because they usually do not engage
in sensationalism.
“That’s a way I protect myself,
and that’s a way I have to protect
myself,” Turner said.
Hill and Turner both agreed
that curating a positive feed is
essential for
maintaining mental
health on social media.
Hill said to benefit her mental
health, she sometimes dials back
her social media consumption and
takes a personal day.
“Every now and then, it’s kind of
needed,” she said.
Lux Murray, a lead organizer of
T-Town Freedom Marches, uses
what he sees as fuel in the fight for
change.
“Currently, with everything going
on, I get tired of seeing the things
that have been happening for so
long. That’s why I continue to throw
protests because I want to see a
change in this country,” Murray
said.
While protesting can be fuel for
some, it might not be the best idea
for others, but there are still ways
to help.
Turner said because of a preexisting
injury, it was not safe for
her to attend protests, so instead
she bought masks for the protestors.
She recalled a friend who could not
participate in protests either but
decided to help with bailout funds.
“Figure out what you can do,” she
said. “It is just as important as
being on the front line; you have to
provide respite for those who are on
the front line.”
Turner said at times, people feel
guilty for doing what they need to
to stay healthy, but people have to
do what’s right for them “so that
you can go out there and deal with
anti-Blackness and racism.”
Whether you are on the front lines
or just offering support, mental
health is still an important part
of living a happy life while also
fighting for change.
“It’s okay to take a day every now
and then,” Hill said. “It’s okay not to
be okay.”
Hill said it is important to take
mental health seriously before
it gets to the point where it’s
overwhelming because moods like
that can be hard to get out of.
“Mental health is very important to
me. Your mind is important. If you
need to take time to yourself to get
your mind together, then do so,”
Murray said. “I’m going to continue
the fight, and so whenever they
get their mind together, then they
can come back and join us but take
care of your mind before you worry
about anything else.”
Regarding the importance of mental
health, Turner recalled the words of
a friend who said, “I’m not someone
who can go out and march currently,
but I’m raising my children to be
joyful, and that’s radical.”
“If you think about it, it is,” Turner
said. “The people who don’t care for
us and do not love us do not want
to see us be joyful and be happy,
and I think that’s important as well
as getting out and exercising your
right to vote.”
SPRING 2021 14