Is it culture or collective trauma?

Hello Beautiful Human,

“We’re like crabs in a bucket that hold each other back.” Have you heard this phrase?

In my quest to understand society, human behavior, potential, and the ability to change, I have begun to understand the role of the protective mechanisms that humans create internally (within our nervous system, belief systems and even our genes).

At face value, certain behaviors can appear annoying, baffling, or downright negative.

However, when I use the power of a pause before reacting or judging and instead breathe in curiosity, it enables compassion and a deeper understanding.

When we witness certain behaviors within ourselves that are generated from protective mechanisms we are then empowered to change them.

All humans create protective mechanisms to feel safe, protect their relational status, or demonstrate their agency based on their needs and wiring.

Those protective mechanisms start early and are carried within culture and our genes.

The groundbreaking work on epigenetics and culture by Joy DeGury, author of Post Slave Syndrome, is described well in this video.

When we understand historical, societal, and family context people make sense.

We all operate with human bodies and brains exposed to different narratives and beliefs, some of our choosing and others inherited.

“We’re like crabs in a bucket that hold each other back.” Growing up, I had heard this as an explaination why I didn’t see Latinos in leadership positions.

With a curious and a less judgmental mindset, I question…

Where did that idea come from?

Who benefits from it?

Is it true?

When humans live through times of scarcity, we create protection mechanisms. It makes sense to protect against an individualistic mindset that could mean devastation for the group.

We need each other. The human race has survived because of collaboration and collective support.

But what about when the scarcity is man made?

In the book, You Sound Like A White Girl, author Julissa Arce recounts a story from 1969 in Crystal City, Texas where only one Mexican-American student was allowed on the cheerleading squad.

What happens psychologically when your sister, cousin, or—worse—that one girl you don’t like takes the one spot you desired? Protective mechanisms emerge.

Scarcity of opportunity abounds in a racist society encoded in rules and regulations, and it is remembered collectively in our nervous system.

Maybe you have experienced the “crabs in a bucket” feeling like you shouldn’t or couldn’t pursue your dreams or be successful.

What if it’s not a problem with your culture but a protective mechanism stemming from collective trauma?

Furthermore, let’s ask ourselves: why are we in a bucket? It’s not the crab’s fault if it was born in a bucket.

Only the holder of the bucket benefits.

Spending energy judging and feeling hurt by the behavior of those reacting out of trauma is natural, but it is not effective in creating change.

The Texas cheerleader story doesn’t end with noting the man-made scarcity of opportunity; in 1969 Mexican-American students walked out in an organized protest. The students’ demands quickly grew from the cheerleader quote to address the many inequities and discrimination written into the school board rules.

It gained national attention and grew to over 2000 students. Diana Palacio, one of the student leaders shared, “Our walk out was peaceful, and it was not like to play hooky. It was serious business. […] We had the support of our parents. Basically, that’s what made it a success—that our parents supported us in this…”

A month later the school board and students met a resolution and many of the students’ demands, which include bilingual education, more opportunities for college preparation, and the recruitment of more Latino teachers and school counselors, were met.

That doesn’t sound like crabs in a bucket.

Truth is, we aren’t crabs, we’re champion cheerleaders of each other.

Opening doors, sharing resources, and believing in each other even when old fears creep in.

Sure, our nervous system responds to scarcity and fear in the form of protective mechanisms. But it’s not the full truth of who we are. We can choose to live into the narrative of our collective resilience, power, and commitment to mutual thriving.

Adelante!

Did you know about the Crystal City Chicano Walkout?

Who benefits by you NOT knowing the stories of Chicano activism?

There’s a reason why book banning is on the rise. Mutual thriving is a threat to hierarchy and fear. I’m here for leaders desiring to re-wire, reclaim, and powerfully create a positive change in the world.

Lideramos National Symposium
Oct. 21-23 Colorado Springs

Are you going?!? Let’s me up.

Art by: Juls Mendoza

Participating in the Lideramos National Symposiums for the past four years has enabled me to embody the authentic culturally rooted leader I desire to be. I am honored to participate this year as a Adelante Sponsor of the event. Let me know if you plan to be there or are located in Colorado Springs. I’d love to meet up.