Black Fatigue

1. Black Fatigue: A Deeply Embedded, Intergenerational Exhaustion

I define Black fatigue in chapter 2 as repeated variations of stress that result in extreme exhaustion and cause mental, physical, and spiritual maladies that are passed down from generation to generation.

Defining the core. Black fatigue is not merely tiredness; it's a profound, cumulative exhaustion stemming from relentless, systemic racism. This stress erodes the mind, body, and spirit, impacting Black individuals across generations. It's a constant, low-level hum of anxiety and pain that permeates daily life.

Personal roots. The author's own experience with Black fatigue began at age five, when she was called a racial slur in kindergarten. This incident, and subsequent encounters with racial profiling during family trips, instilled a deep-seated caution and insecurity. The realization that her skin color made her a target of disdain was indelibly planted, shaping her interactions with the world.

Workplace toll. Even in professional settings, the fatigue persisted. The author recounts being tokenized, discredited, and forced to conform to white archetypes, leading to constant emotional labor. This relentless pressure to prove oneself, coupled with microaggressions and the burden of representing an entire race, ultimately led her to leave the corporate world.

2. "Sublime Ignorance" Perpetuates Systemic Racism's Toll

Perhaps not surprisingly, many white people claim to not have much understanding of why Black people are fatigued.

Unacknowledged reality. Many white people, including corporate leaders, express "sublime ignorance" about the profound impact of racism on Black lives. They claim not to know the daily challenges and emotional toll, despite centuries of documented injustices. This unawareness is a major source of frustration and fatigue for Black individuals who constantly face these realities.

The privilege of not knowing. White people, as the dominant group, often have the privilege of never having to think about their race or the history of racism. This leads to a lack of knowledge and a tendency to deny racial differences. The author argues that until more white people acknowledge their "whiteness" and its associated privileges, progress in addressing racism will remain stalled.

Beyond discomfort. Discussions about race often evoke discomfort in white individuals, leading to avoidance or minimization of the issue. The author emphasizes that it's not enough to be "nonracist" (passively believing racism is wrong); one must be "antiracist" by actively opposing and dismantling racist systems. This requires confronting discomfort and engaging in continuous self-education.

3. "Then Is Now": Persistent Inequities Across Generations

It is paradoxical that with all the attention over the last 50 years on social justice and diversity and inclusion, we have made little progress in actualizing the vision of an equitable society.

Stagnant progress. Despite landmark civil rights legislation, socioeconomic, educational, housing, and workplace outcomes for Black Americans have shown minimal improvement. The author highlights that "then is now," meaning disparities from decades or even centuries ago largely persist today.

Key areas of persistent inequity:

• Socioeconomic: Black households have the lowest median income and net worth, with wealth on track to reach zero by 2082. This is exacerbated by intergenerational wealth transfer and limited access to financial institutions.
• Employment: Black unemployment rates have consistently been double those of whites since the 1960s, regardless of education or occupation. Black college graduates are twice as likely to be unemployed as their white counterparts.
• Housing: Black and Latino families are no more likely to own homes than in 1976, facing disproportionate loan denials and continued residential segregation due to historical redlining.
• Workforce Leadership: Despite decades of diversity efforts, Black professionals remain scarce in leadership roles, often feeling undervalued and overlooked for promotions.
• Voter Suppression: Tactics like gerrymandering, polling place closures, and voter purges continue to suppress Black votes, reminiscent of Jim Crow era barriers.
• Education: Schools serving Black and Brown children are severely underfunded, leading to lower academic outcomes, disproportionate disciplinary actions, and limited access to advanced programs.

The systemic problem. These persistent inequities are not due to individual failings but deeply entrenched racist systems. The author argues that current strategies often focus on "fixing" Black people rather than dismantling the systemic barriers that perpetuate these disparities.

4. Racism Literally Makes You Sick: A Preexisting Condition

The intergenerational fatigue that comes from enduring structural racism literally makes you sick.

Profound health disparities. Racism is not just a social issue; it's a public health crisis. Black people suffer disproportionately from chronic diseases and have lower life expectancies than any other ethnic group. This is a direct result of the chronic stress induced by racism.

The "weathering hypothesis":

• Chronic stress: Constant exposure to race-based discrimination, both real and perceived, triggers physiological responses like elevated blood pressure and heart rate, leading to disease.
• Accelerated aging: Studies show that racial discrimination causes cells to age more rapidly, increasing the risk for chronic illnesses at younger ages.
• Embodied inequality: The cyclical effects of discrimination create "embodied inequality," where poor health outcomes are passed down through generations.

Healthcare bias and distrust. Black individuals often receive lower-quality healthcare, even when socioeconomic factors are controlled. Implicit biases among healthcare providers lead to disparities in pain management, treatment options, and diagnostic thoroughness. This, coupled with a long history of medical experimentation on Black people without consent (e.g., Tuskegee syphilis study, Henrietta Lacks), fosters deep-seated distrust in the medical system.

5. Intersectionality Compounds the Burden of Black Fatigue

Intersectionality recognizes that group identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, class, religion, ability, citizenship or immigration status, age, and so on, overlap and intersect in dynamic ways that shape and continually reshape an individual’s experience.

Layered identities, layered burdens. Black fatigue is not monolithic; it's intensified by the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. Being Black and gay, Black and poor, or Black and disabled creates compounding stressors that exponentially increase the emotional and physical toll.

Examples of compounded fatigue:

• Black LGBTQ+ individuals: Face discrimination from both white society and within their own racial community, leading to higher rates of closeted identities and fear of violence.
• Black single mothers: Experience layered discrimination in housing, employment, and childcare, often leading to eviction, financial instability, and increased stress.
• Black disabled individuals: Confront stereotypes about both their race and their abilities, leading to questions about their competence and constant battles for recognition.

The "emotional tax." Professionals of color, particularly Black women, report being "on guard" to protect themselves against racial and gender bias, leading to an "emotional tax." This constant vigilance results in higher rates of sleep problems and other health issues, highlighting the profound impact of navigating multiple forms of discrimination.

6. "Say Her Name": The Unique Fatigue of Black Women

The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.

Malcolm X's enduring truth. Black women live at the intersection of Blackness and womanhood, facing unique manifestations of fatigue. They are disproportionately incarcerated, killed by law enforcement, and live in poverty, yet their struggles often receive less media attention than those of Black men.

Stereotypes and workplace hurdles:

• "Angry Black Woman": This pervasive stereotype forces Black women to suppress authentic emotions, leading to tone policing and further emotional labor.
• Appearance scrutiny: Black women face criticism for their natural hair and body types, often deemed "unprofessional" or "unfeminine" by Eurocentric beauty standards.
• Wage gap: Black women earn significantly less than white men and even white women, with higher education not closing the gap.
• Overwork and under-recognition: They are often expected to be "workers" and "strong," leading to overachievement, self-sacrifice, and uncompensated labor on diversity committees, while being less likely to be promoted.

Strained sisterhood. While Black women often find support within their community, relationships with white women can be fraught. White feminism often minimizes or ignores the unique issues of Black women, leading to feelings of being undermined or dismissed.

7. "I Can't Breathe": The Invisible Burden on Black Men

I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.

Ellison's "Invisible Man" persists. Black men often feel invisible, perceived through a lens of negative stereotypes rather than as whole, complex individuals. This dehumanization contributes to police brutality and systemic injustices.

Stereotypes and their impact:

• "Scary" and "threatening": Black men, regardless of their demeanor or social standing, are often perceived as dangerous, leading to heightened vigilance and fear for their safety.
• Height and skin tone bias: Taller Black men are perceived as more threatening, and darker-skinned Black men face greater discrimination in hiring and earn less, even with higher education.
• "Tough guy" syndrome: Black men are socialized to suppress emotions and be self-sufficient, leading to lower rates of seeking mental health support, despite facing immense stress.

Mass incarceration and its ripple effects:

• Disproportionate arrests: Black men are three times more likely to be incarcerated than white men, often for minor offenses and with longer sentences.
• "Blame a Black Man" syndrome: False accusations against Black men are often readily believed by law enforcement due to ingrained stereotypes.
• Impact on family structure: Mass incarceration contributes to lower marriage rates and economic instability for Black families, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

8. "Out of the Mouths of Babes": Racism's Early Impact on Black Children

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

Childhood interrupted. Black children often "grow up too fast" due to social circumstances and adultification bias, where they are perceived as older and less innocent than their white peers. This leads to disproportionate disciplinary actions in schools and early exposure to the realities of racism.

Systemic disadvantages in education:

• Underfunded schools: Public schools serving Black and Brown children are severely underfunded and under-resourced, perpetuating educational inequities.
• Teacher bias: White teachers often hold lower expectations for Black students, leading to fewer recommendations for gifted programs and higher rates of special education placement or expulsion.
• Digital divide: Lack of access to technology and internet disproportionately affects Black children, especially during remote learning.

The "Doll Test" and "The Talk":

• Internalized oppression: The famous "Doll Test" consistently shows Black children as young as four internalizing negative self-images, preferring white dolls for positive attributes.
• "The Talk": Black parents are forced to have "the talk" with their children about how to navigate encounters with law enforcement to ensure their survival, instilling fear and anxiety from a young age.

Health consequences: Racism-induced stress in childhood leads to toxic stress, affecting children's behavior, cognitive capacity, and physical health. Black children face higher rates of asthma, obesity, and depression, and experience accelerated aging.

9. A Clarion Call for Collective Action to Dismantle Racism

The battle is and always has been a battle for the hearts and minds of white people in this country.

Beyond symbolic gestures. The recent Black Lives Matter protests, while sparking symbolic changes like removing statues and renaming brands, must translate into genuine systemic transformation. The author asserts that Black people are not the problem; racist systems are.

What white people must do:

• Acknowledge "original sin": Formally apologize for slavery and implement reparations to address the intergenerational wealth gap.
• Interrogate and change systems: Move beyond performative activism to dismantle racist policies in criminal justice, education, banking, and corporate America. This includes supporting police reform, ensuring equitable school funding, and holding banks accountable for discriminatory lending.
• Become antiracist: Actively oppose racism, understand their privilege, and interrupt racist behaviors. Allies must be knowledgeable, empathetic, and willing to take on the struggle as their own.
• Become power brokers: Those in positions of power must use their influence to enact and enforce policies that create racial equity and justice, rather than maintaining the status quo.
• Confront discomfort: Stop using "discomfort" as an excuse to avoid meaningful conversations about race.

What Black people must do:

• Use your voice: Speak to the structural issues and their domino-effect impact, rejecting the expectation to be "teachers" for white people.
• Stay vigilant: Educate yourselves, lobby for change, and vote.
• Reframe deficit narratives: Shift the blame from Black people to white supremacy for inequities.
• Prioritize self-care: Reject oppressive norms and systems that compromise well-being.
• Use power and influence: Black leaders must use their positions to advance other BIPOC, rejecting assimilation.

10. Reimagining a Just World: Beyond Fatigue to Liberation

I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.

A vision of true equity. The author envisions a United States where Black people are no longer fatigued because justice is a reality. This reimagined world is one where systemic racism is dismantled, and Black lives are valued, protected, and afforded true liberty.

Key elements of a just world:

• Government accountability: Official apologies and reparations for slavery, with existing anti-racism legislation enforced, not weakened.
• Economic parity: Elimination of the "Black tax" and "living while Black," ensuring equitable economic opportunities.
• Safety and respect: No more police brutality, fear for loved ones' safety, or wrongful convictions. Police would be protectors, not threats.
• Workplace equity: Black people would be visible in leadership, valued for their contributions, and free from microaggressions and tokenism.
• Educational excellence: All public schools would be equitably funded, and Black children would be seen as capable and have unlimited potential.
• Authentic dialogue: White people would understand racism as their problem, engage in cross-racial dialogue, and prioritize Black comfort over their own discomfort.
• Cultural acceptance: Black culture, hair, and presence in public spaces would be universally accepted and celebrated, not criminalized or questioned.

The path forward. Achieving this vision requires collective will and sustained action from both Black and white people. It means learning, unlearning, and relearning deeply entrenched societal norms. The goal is not just equality, but true equity and liberation, where Black fatigue becomes a relic of the past.

Last updated: August 12, 2025