WRITING ASSIGNMENT #4: Position Paper (Argumentative)
In The Unapologetic Guide To Black Mental Health., Dr.
Rheeda Walker argues that “African people do not pay attention there
feelings of anxiety or depression, or the signs of distress, [we] press
forward” (Walker, 1). Dr. Walker suggest that African people thrive no
matter the circumstance and “in the midst of a society of racial
terrorism, [we] continue on-using [our] ancestral gifts” (Walker 1).
consistent terror contributes to the actions and repeated behavior due
to trauma. Dr. Rheeda Walker writes, “one traumatic experience can
result in distorted attitudes, dysfunctional behaviors, and unwanted
consequences, this pattern is magnified exponentially when a person
repeatedly experiences severe trauma, and it is much worse when the
traumas are caused by human beings” (9).
Show through quotes, analysis, and the use of other sources how
African resourcefulness has revealed a spirit of survival despite the
trauma. In your essay discuss how psychological crisis and trauma
contributes to the instability of Africans in America. Draw upon
historic and current evidence to support your claims. By the same
token, provide an analysis of what kinds of treatments are being used to
employ the healing from the legacy of injury as caused by the trauma.
Carefully consider Dr. Rheeda Walker’s premise and critically analyze
her position while paying attention to “her radical approach of looking
inside ourselves, our experience as both a poison and a healing potion
for Black mental health” (Walker VIII). In your essay of 5 pages,
discuss whether or not you support Dr. Rheeda Walkers position and her
insights regarding her “purpose of encouraging African Americans to view
and use an African-centered approach to healing, managing decades of
trauma, the vestiges of enslavement and the manifestation of behaviors
that show up in many aberrant forms how they are are not addressed.
Remember to do the following in your essay: 1) state your own
position in your thesis statement; and 2) support your thesis by
discussing specific points that address Dr. Rheeda main arguments. All
in all, your essay will include a combination of your own ideas,
analysis, observations, and examples/details as they relate to the main
points that Dr. Rheeda Walker makes.
P.S. I have included 3 sources; 1 main source and the other 2 sources. For 1 of the sources, I don’t have a pdf file for it, so I only have note for it with page number. Please use at least 1 quote from it. For the rest of the 2 sources, I leave it to you.