April 10, 2024 | Noon to 1:00 PM EST
D’Andra Orey, Jackson State University
This study investigates the complex relationship between emotions, mental health, and political engagement in Black communities. It reveals how trauma and anger can act as catalysts for political activism, while depression often creates barriers to such involvement, specifically among Black men. The research highlights anger’s particular effectiveness in driving actions like protests and community organizing, yet notes its limited impact on voting behaviors. Trauma, conversely, has a mixed effect, enhancing protest participation but dampening voting tendencies.