Dear Dr. Buckingham,
I am 38-year-old black father who wants to comfort and educate my 13-year-old son during these difficult times, but I am struggling myself.
With the recent killings of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and the cops in Dallas [Editor’s note: this letter was written prior to the attack on the Baton Rouge officers] my heart has been heavy lately, and I have been feeling a little vulnerable.
I know that you are probably not used to hearing a man, especially a black man, say that he feels vulnerable. I have experienced a lot of things growing up, but I have never really felt vulnerable.
I am trying to make sense out of my emotions and my feelings of white people, especially white cops. Like most black men, I want to comfort and help my son, but I do not understand this emotional thing that is happening with me.
As a psychotherapist can you provide some insight?
Which emotion causes people to feel vulnerable and react violently?
Thanks in advance,