[Posted Nov. 9, 2007]

Part 1:

Silent Killers That Threaten Black Community

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

      A recent Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) conference concluded that depression is Black America’s No. 1 problem.
Depression affects more than 19 million Americans each year. It strikes about 50 percent of all African American women, who are more likely to suffer from depression than black men. Left untreated, depression is fatal.
Nationwide and in the black community, depression is too often dismissed as the blues or an imaginary disease, the report concluded.  Further, blacks, especially women, often ignore depression to appear strong, said Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN) who participated in the Depression is Real Conference sponsored by the CBCF.
       But for some well-known Hampton Roads figures, there are other silent killers that should be ranked as No. 1. Silent killers such as apathy, low expectations, and stress which go untreated too.
       Apathy is the No. 1 problem, said Del. Kenneth Alexander, who was recently elected to another two-year term in Richmond. “I think convincing the constituents that their vote really matters is the No. 1 political problem,” Alexander said.
      “Is it because they (voters) think their one vote won’t matter. Or is it because of the scandals, abuse and hypocrisy—which are turning voters off?” Alexander asked. He thinks more citizenship classes in public schools would cure apathy and spur involvement.
“Political issues come and go, such as abortion, school prayer, gun control and educational vouchers,” he said, “but those issues can be influenced by exercising your right to vote.”
       “You have obligations that come with your birth,” Alexander continued. “When you leave it up to someone else—and have fewer than 40 percent of the voters registered for national and state elections, or less than 30 percent registered for local elections—it’s a serious issue.”
       Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, being gullible may be the No. 1 problem, according Dr. Elizabeth Daniels. Some African Americans yield too easily to the power of suggestion, she said. The No. 1 problem is being too naive and trusting about questionable data that trashes blacks.

    The president of the Portsmouth NAACP, and a Portsmouth school board member for the past 12 years, Daniels said, “They keep telling you that you are depressed, especially people who sell psychiatric medicine.
      “What is the point? To convince every black person that they are in pain?” Daniels asked. “There is always this story about black people who are denying their pain—but are they really in pain? Often they do not have pain.
      “I think they target a group and then come and tell you to get the medicine,” Daniels said, pointing to examples, she noticed while doing her own research over the years.
       For example, the use of some psychiatric drugs, such as Ritalin, increased only as desegregation efforts proceeded nationwide, Daniels said. Moreover, the first documented case of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurred in public schools in 1956, two years after the Brown v. Board of Education outlawed segregation in public schools. Is there a pattern?
       As desegregation increased, more blacks have been diagnosed as crazy, depressed, or out of control?
       Despite ongoing reports of abuse and even accidental deaths, Ritalin is currently prescribed to 3 to 7 percent of all school age children diagnosed with ADHD, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The disorder is determined by escalating levels of activity, impulsiveness, and inattention which usually arise in children ages 3 and 5.
       Daniels added, “Sure, some black people are hurting, and, it’s because they dropped out of high school.” In other words, limited education leads to limited career choices which in turn creates pain—even depression, no matter your race.
Depression is not the No. 1 silent killer among blacks, Daniels said. “The pain (if you feel any) is there for two reasons: One—when you were young you were oppressed.
      “Two, you did not have the guidance to overcome it. Pills will not cure racial hatred. To some degree you can overcome racism but you have to find some way to develop yourself. Maximum freedom results from maximum self development.”
       To help black students maximize their potential, Daniels said she made the motion in a school board meeting about eight years ago to require all high school graduates to have at least a C average before graduating. The point was to help more students qualify for college admission and financial aid.
       Daniels said she also got involved in a prepatory program for students who were more than two grade levels behind. “By being in a class with people like themselves, these students realized they were not that far behind,” Daniels said.

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