They locked arms and pressed their eyes tightly shut. The enslaved Igbo people marched slowly into the water, spirits chained together, chanting songs of a distant homeland before disappearing into marshy Georgia waters.
During enslavement, many of our people died by suicide. Some jumped overboard, and others refused to eat. No matter the reason for a self-inflicted death, anti-Blackness threatened life. That danger is still felt by many of us today.
Enslavers considered suicide the ultimate sin, but it wasn’t because they cared about our people. They were concerned about how it affected their finances.
Suicide loss survivors didn’t condemn the deaths. Fellow enslaved people compassionately understood, “envied” the “freedom” of the dead, and, like Charles Ball, they discussed their mental health struggles.
Until the 1970s, suicide was illegal, and those who attempted it could be prosecuted. The widespread language used today to communicate suicide is still tied to criminality.
Health professionals are rethinking language like “committed” and “successful” when describing suicide. We must continue fostering communities and relationships that support our spiritual wellness.
Our ancestors believed there wasn’t anything criminal about suffering.
We should exercise compassion and empathy instead of avoiding mental health topics. Our understanding is a tool for the liberated world we’re building – one where all Black people have their needs met and can thrive.