Self-Awareness and Healing for Black Men: A Journey into Therapy and Spirituality
This comprehensive course explores the intersection of therapy, spirituality, and African-centered ideologies to foster self-awareness, emotional healing, and communal connection for Black men. Led by Professor Wright, the course runs from February 6 to May 29, 2025, every Thursday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Using Samuel Wright Jr.'s "For Black Men Who Need Therapy," students will engage in reflective discussions, critical thinking, and practical exercises aimed at self-growth and understanding. The course is designed to address key aspects of personal development, cultural identity, and communal healing through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
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by Samuel Wright
Course Outline: Foundations of Self-Awareness
The course begins with two foundational weeks focusing on self-awareness. Week 1 introduces the importance of therapy for Black men, exploring the relationship between personal and communal healing. Students will discuss why therapy matters and watch "Professor Odi's Thoughts on Healing" on YouTube.
Week 2 delves into the concept of duality within Black male identity, applying Machiavellian insights through an African-centered lens. The Enneagram Test will be used as a reflective tool, and students will watch Amos Wilson's video on "Afrikan-Centered Consciousness."
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Week 1: Introduction
Explore the importance of therapy for Black men and the connection between personal and communal healing.
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Week 2: Foxes and Lions
Examine duality in Black male identity and apply Machiavellian insights through an African-centered perspective.
Healing Through Reflection and Action
Unit 2 focuses on healing through reflection and action. Week 3 addresses societal stereotypes and their impact on Black men, using the "Black Doug Funny" case study. Students will learn to reframe cynicism and cultivate healthy relationships. Week 4 explores the concept of "Father Time, Mother Nature," discussing the impact of parental wounds and intergenerational traumas. The Acorn Theory and ancestral influences will be examined to understand how they shape personal journeys.
Week 3: Black Doug Funny
Analyze societal stereotypes and their impact on Black men. Learn to reframe cynicism and build healthy relationships.
Week 4: Father Time, Mother Nature
Explore parental wounds, intergenerational traumas, and the influence of ancestral experiences on personal development.
Tools for Cognitive and Emotional Growth
Unit 3 provides practical tools for cognitive and emotional growth. Week 5 focuses on channeling pain through cognitive restructuring and healthy expressions of anger. Students will engage in guided journaling exercises. Week 6 introduces "The Warrior World," exploring Bushido principles in modern life and the balance of mental, physical, and spiritual strength. The "52 Blocks: The Art of Defense" video will be used to illustrate these concepts.
Cognitive Restructuring
Learn techniques to reframe narratives and channel pain constructively.
Bushido Principles
Apply ancient warrior wisdom to modern life challenges.
Balanced Strength
Develop mental, physical, and spiritual strength in harmony.
Spirituality and Identity
Unit 4 delves into spirituality and identity. Week 7 addresses spiritual bypassing, emphasizing the importance of avoiding this coping mechanism when dealing with trauma. Students will explore the balance between science and spirituality, with reference to Dr. Joy DeGruy's work on Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome. Week 8 focuses on the concept of immanence, discussing transcendence vs. immanence in spiritual practices and reconciling African spiritual traditions with modern faith.
How do your spiritual beliefs empower or limit you?
Relationships and Community Building
Unit 5 explores relationships and community building. Week 9 introduces Black Liberation Theology and discusses building community through spirituality, referencing James Cone's work. Week 10 addresses the impact of social media on cultural identity, exploring echo chambers, epistemic bubbles, and cultural cognition in community dialogues. Students will watch videos on these topics to deepen their understanding of how digital spaces shape our perceptions and interactions.
Black Liberation Theology
Explore the intersection of faith and community empowerment in the Black context.
Social Media Impact
Analyze how digital spaces influence cultural identity and community dialogues.
The Black Pill Treatment
Unit 6 introduces "The Black Pill Treatment." Week 11 explores the concept of Wu Wei (Effortless Action) and challenges students to rethink societal metrics of success. Visualization and affirmation exercises will be incorporated. Week 12 focuses on the distinction between force and power, discussing emotional intelligence in leadership and relationships. Students will watch David Hawkins' video on "Power vs. Force" to deepen their understanding of these concepts and their application in daily life.
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Wu Wei
Explore the concept of effortless action in daily life.
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Redefine Success
Challenge traditional metrics and create personal definitions of achievement.
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Force vs. Power
Learn to lead and relate through emotional intelligence rather than force.
Integration and Legacy
The final unit focuses on integration and legacy building. Week 13 introduces "The Memory Mandate," encouraging students to document accomplishments for self-validation and create personal "Brag Books." Week 14 revisits "Force vs. Power" to discuss strategies for lasting personal and communal impact. Weeks 15 and 16 are dedicated to course reflection and final project presentations, where students will present personal growth plans incorporating lessons from the course. This unit aims to solidify the learning experience and provide actionable steps for continued growth beyond the course.
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Document Achievements
Create a personal "Brag Book" to validate accomplishments and shape empowering narratives.
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Legacy Planning
Develop strategies for lasting personal and communal impact.
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Growth Plan Presentation
Present a personal growth plan integrating course lessons for future development.
