The creation of a trauma timeline involves an orderly narration of vital incidents that played a significant role in shaping the perception of trauma across typically different times and cultures. The timeline from the first trauma in ancient soldiers until the grave effects of slavery, the genocide of the Americans, and the COVID-19 pandemic that ended up barely recovering in the whole world can be considered the most massive spread of trauma that has ever happened. The changes to these events were made based on their narratives, with minimal impact on current trauma-related issues. The testimony of ancient civilizations about suffering during wartime and trauma, especially among soldiers, suggests that such experiences are ongoing (Riches, 2017; Invicta, 2020).
By looking at the stops following the transgenerational transmission of trauma and their capability to form patterns and social values, the psychological consequences spread through the transatlantic slave trade are unveiled (Bush, n.d.; Israel Ag Nouh Yattara, 2020). The genocide of Native Americans is elaborated, portraying the massacre and annihilation of culture as an outcome of colonialism and the afterward forced erasure of identities (Fixico, 2018). Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic acts as a present-day case of how nations fraught with global crises can elicit societal trauma, which dangerously infects mental health.
Preparing the time frame was educational, as it allowed me to observe the progressive nature of trauma from a historical perspective, as well as its current and ongoing effects on individuals and communities. The light shed on the fact that understanding, treating, and accommodating trauma would ease healing and build resilience both on the individual and community levels. This exercise encouraged me to comprehend the unbounded nature of trauma, which lacks any room for a single definition or experience but is a fluke formed by the series of humanity’s reactions to irreparable stress and misery.
References
Bush, A. (n.d.). Exploring post slavery trauma. Social Work Today.
Fixico, D.L. (2018). When Native Americans were slaughtered in the name of ‘civilization’. History.
Israel Ag Nouh Yattara. (2020). Slavery routes – a short history of human trafficking (1/4) – DW Documentary. Vimeo.
Invicta. (2020). Did ancient soldiers get PTSD? Documentary. YouTube.
Riches, A. (2017). Did Roman soldiers suffer PTSD? Historia.