The reality for Black individuals and families living in the U.S. is that death happens more often and earlier on than for their white counterparts. In the last two decades, these higher rates of mortality resulted in 1.63 million excess deaths for Black Americans compared to white Americans. Doneila McIntosh brings her personal and professional experiences with this reality to her work as a researcher studying the intersections of disenfranchised grief among African American families. Disenfranchised grief occurs when a loss isn't recognized or seen as valid, often the result of stigma. The disenfranchisement of Black grief is rooted in racism, which influences both the disproportionate rates of mortality and the lack of support for grief and grief expression.
Doneila McIntosh is a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota in Family Social Science with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Doneila has a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Theological Studies and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (M.A.). Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, she worked as a chaplain for nearly 10 years.
We discuss:
Doneila’s current research on understanding the impact of disproportionate rates of death and grief in the African American community.
Her personal and professional motivation to do this work.
The desecration of sacred Black grief spaces.
The disenfranchisement of African American grief.
How the language we use to talk about grief is rooted in culture and how that can be a strength.
The gap in the research literature about Black and African American grief.
Culturally specific interventions to support grief.
How culture shapes grief expression.
Doneila’s work to become literate in the historical & current context of Black grief and the cultural strengths she uncovered along the way.
How her family honors her grandfather’s legacy.
Follow Doneila on IG @doneila_mcintosh
Ep. 32: The Youngest Grievers
Ep. 31: Birthdays & Anniversaries - Grief And Significant Days
Ep. 30: The Private Grief Of A Public Death
Ep. 29: When Grief Catches Up With You
Ep. 28: Supporting Children Grieving A Suicide Death
Ep. 27: Grief And The Holidays
Ep. 26: Grief And Complex Relationships (Part 3) - The Death Of A Parent
Ep. 25: Grief And Complex Relationships (Part 2) - The Death Of A Sibling
Ep. 24: Grief And Complex Relationships (Part 1) - The Death Of An Ex-Husband
Ep. 23: Language, Suicide, And Stigma (Part 3)
Ep. 22: Grief And Becoming a Parent - An Interview With What's Your Grief
Ep. 21: Turning Points In Grief
Ep. 20: Grief And Developmental Disabilities
Ep. 19: Advanced Serious Illness
Ep. 18: Grieving The Death Of A Sibling - Tips For Supporting Children
Ep. 17: Grieving A Suicide Death
Ep. 16: Grief And Father's Day
Ep. 15: Language, Suicide, And Stigma (Part 2)
Ep. 14: The Death Of Both Parents: Grieving As A Young Adult
Ep. 13: Grieving Through Mother's Day
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