From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
|
 |
|||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
|
In 2020, writer and expert in [[Diversity, equity, and inclusion|DEI]] Mary Frances Winters published a book titled ”Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body and Spirit”,<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Gutzmore |first=Clayton |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Recognizing the Exhaustion: Black Fatigue is an Enduring Problem for People of Color |url=https://theatlantavoice.com/recognizing-the-exhaustion-black-fatigue-is-an-enduring-problem-for-people-of-color/ |access-date= |website=[[The Atlanta Voice]] |language=en-US}}</ref> the book invented the term “black fatigue” and explained it in detail. She was interviewed by [[CNN]] about the term on April 5, 2021, where she further explained the causes of black fatigue.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Black Fatigue and Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Antiracist Impact |url=https://dib.science.fas.harvard.edu/event/fas-winter-2022-diversity-dialogue-black-fatigue-and-strategies-achieve-sustainable |website=[[Harvard University]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DuLong |first=Jessica |date=April 5, 2021 |title=”Then” is still ‘now’: The high cost of living while Black in the US and how to address it |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/05/health/black-fatigue-mary-frances-winters-wellness |access-date= |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref> Winters was also interviewed by [[NBC News]] and said she herself has black fatigue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Donna |date=May 19, 2021 |title=Microaggressions and straight-up racism are exhausting Black people |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/microaggressions-straight-racism-are-exhausting-black-people-rcna914 |access-date= |website=[[NBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> Mary Frances Winters defined black fatigue as [[Stress (biology)|stress]] that is passed down from generation to generation that leaves [[black people]] feeling physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. Reportedly, black fatigue among black people is caused by [[white people]] not listening to them and lack of racial progress in United State. Black fatigue is caused by [[racism in the United States]] and can result in variety of mental conditions like [[post-traumatic stress disorder]], [[Depression (mood)|depression]] or [[anxiety]].<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |last=Wiltz |first=Allison |date=May 28, 2025 |title=Black Fatigue Now Has a Double Meaning Thanks to Racists |url=https://www.levelman.com/black-fatigue-now-has-a-double-meaning-thanks-to-racism/ |access-date= |website=Level Magazine |language=en}}</ref> |
In 2020, writer and expert in [[Diversity, equity, and inclusion|DEI]] Mary Frances Winters published a book titled ”Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body and Spirit”,<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Gutzmore |first=Clayton |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Recognizing the Exhaustion: Black Fatigue is an Enduring Problem for People of Color |url=https://theatlantavoice.com/recognizing-the-exhaustion-black-fatigue-is-an-enduring-problem-for-people-of-color/ |access-date= |website=[[The Atlanta Voice]] |language=en-US}}</ref> the book invented the term “black fatigue” and explained it in detail. She was interviewed by [[CNN]] about the term on April 5, 2021, where she further explained the causes of black fatigue.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Black Fatigue and Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Antiracist Impact |url=https://dib.science.fas.harvard.edu/event/fas-winter-2022-diversity-dialogue-black-fatigue-and-strategies-achieve-sustainable |website=[[Harvard University]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DuLong |first=Jessica |date=April 5, 2021 |title=”Then” is still ‘now’: The high cost of living while Black in the US and how to address it |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/05/health/black-fatigue-mary-frances-winters-wellness |access-date= |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref> Winters was also interviewed by [[NBC News]] and said she herself has black fatigue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Donna |date=May 19, 2021 |title=Microaggressions and straight-up racism are exhausting Black people |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/microaggressions-straight-racism-are-exhausting-black-people-rcna914 |access-date= |website=[[NBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> Mary Frances Winters defined black fatigue as [[Stress (biology)|stress]] that is passed down from generation to generation that leaves [[black people]] feeling physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. Reportedly, black fatigue among black people is caused by [[white people]] not listening to them and lack of racial progress in United State. Black fatigue is caused by [[racism in the United States]] and can result in variety of mental conditions like [[post-traumatic stress disorder]], [[Depression (mood)|depression]] or [[anxiety]].<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |last=Wiltz |first=Allison |date=May 28, 2025 |title=Black Fatigue Now Has a Double Meaning Thanks to Racists |url=https://www.levelman.com/black-fatigue-now-has-a-double-meaning-thanks-to-racism/ |access-date= |website=Level Magazine |language=en}}</ref> |
||
|
In short, Winters defined the term as a constant exhaustion of [[African Americans|African-Americans]] due to [[systemic racism]] in United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Damien |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Manufacturing “Black Fatigue” in the Art World |url=https://hyperallergic.com/1012522/manufacturing-black-fatigue-in-the-art-world/ |access-date= |website=[[Hyperallergic]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Black fatigue is reportedly a complex issue that is not easy to fix.<ref name=”:1″ /> To “eliminate” black fatigue, Winters |
In short, Winters defined the term as a constant exhaustion of [[African Americans|African-Americans]] due to [[systemic racism]] in United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Damien |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Manufacturing “Black Fatigue” in the Art World |url=https://hyperallergic.com/1012522/manufacturing-black-fatigue-in-the-art-world/ |access-date= |website=[[Hyperallergic]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Black fatigue is reportedly a complex issue that is not easy to fix.<ref name=”:1″ /> To “eliminate” black fatigue, Winters people to acnowledge black people’s emotional toll of racism and be careful when talking to them by focusing on not doing [[Microaggression|microagressions]], she described black fatigue as “broad” issue and recommended changing the system of US to fix it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winters |first=Mary |date=September 15, 2020 |title=What Is Black Fatigue, and How Can We Protect Employees from It? |url=https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_is_black_fatigue_and_how_can_we_protect_employees_from_it |access-date= |website=[[Greater Good Magazine]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Merschel |first=Michael |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Understanding ‘Black fatigue’ – and how to overcome it |url=https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/02/24/understanding-black-fatigue-and-how-to-overcome-it |website=[[American Heart Association]]}}</ref> Expert from [[MetroHealth Medical Center]] defined black fatigue is a psychological toll of black people existing in US and seeing their people getting killed by [[police shootings]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Rodneya |date=October 11, 2020 |title=Understanding ‘Black Fatigue’ and How To Combat It |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2020/10/09/understanding–black-fatigue–and-how-to-deal-with-it |access-date= |website=[[Spectrum News]] |language=en}}</ref> |
||
|
== Other uses == |
== Other uses == |
||
Latest revision as of 14:29, 18 September 2025
Stress response of African Americans
Black fatigue is a term used to describe black people in United States who are experiencing psychological and physical problems caused by various factors including systemic racism. The term was invented by writer Mary Frances Winters in 2020 when she published a book in which the term was first used.
The term was co-opted by right-wing individuals in 2025 and defined by them as a feeling of “fatigue” when interacting with black people.
In 2020, writer and expert in DEI Mary Frances Winters published a book titled Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body and Spirit,[1] the book invented the term “black fatigue” and explained it in detail. She was interviewed by CNN about the term on April 5, 2021, where she further explained the causes of black fatigue.[2][3] Winters was also interviewed by NBC News and said she herself has black fatigue.[4] Mary Frances Winters defined black fatigue as stress that is passed down from generation to generation that leaves black people feeling physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. Reportedly, black fatigue among black people is caused by white people not listening to them and lack of racial progress in United State. Black fatigue is caused by racism in the United States and can result in variety of mental conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety.[5]
In short, Winters defined the term as a constant exhaustion of African-Americans due to systemic racism in United States.[6] Black fatigue is reportedly a complex issue that is not easy to fix.[1] To “eliminate” black fatigue, Winters recommended people to acnowledge black people’s emotional toll of racism and be careful when talking to them by focusing on not doing microagressions, she described black fatigue as “broad” issue and recommended changing the system of US to fix it.[7][8] Expert from MetroHealth Medical Center defined black fatigue is a psychological toll of black people existing in US and seeing their people getting killed by police shootings.[9]
Reportedly, some racist individuals have co-opted black fatigue and invented a new definition of the term. According to column by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the co-option was mainly done by followers of MAGA movement.[5][10] The co-option of black fatigue began in April 2025, the month that white high school student Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death by a black teenager. The stabbing sparked heated reactions on social media, with alt-right starting to use the new definition of the term.[11] The term started being used on various platforms like Instagram, Twitter or TikTok and usually seen in comments section.[12] It was reportedly used by white supremacists, like Nick Fuentes, to spread racism.[13]
Reportedly, the second definition of the term is white people experiencing “fatigue” when intracting with black people. This version of the term first started being known after a viral video was posted by a female TikTok influencer complaining about black people’s behaviour.[14][13] The TikToker in the video said “Black fatigue is real”, saying she is “fed-up” by black people’s “ghetto ratchet behavior” and “victimhood”. The video had caused controversy in the comments, with some supporting her and others criticizing her. Some commenters said she misused the term. The woman later deleted the video due to backlash.[15][16] Rachel Stovall, writing for The Gazette, said there was a “surge” of internet users in 2025 complaining about black people in comments sections of videos and accompanying their comments with phrase “black fatigue”, such comments can typically be seen in videos of black people engaging in violent and antisocial behaviour.[17]
- ^ a b Gutzmore, Clayton (September 11, 2023). “Recognizing the Exhaustion: Black Fatigue is an Enduring Problem for People of Color”. The Atlanta Voice.
- ^ “Black Fatigue and Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Antiracist Impact”. Harvard University. February 10, 2022.
- ^ DuLong, Jessica (April 5, 2021). “‘Then’ is still ‘now’: The high cost of living while Black in the US and how to address it”. CNN.
- ^ Owens, Donna (May 19, 2021). “Microaggressions and straight-up racism are exhausting Black people”. NBC News.
- ^ a b Wiltz, Allison (May 28, 2025). “Black Fatigue Now Has a Double Meaning Thanks to Racists”. Level Magazine.
- ^ Davis, Damien (May 13, 2025). “Manufacturing “Black Fatigue” in the Art World”. Hyperallergic.
- ^ Winters, Mary (September 15, 2020). “What Is Black Fatigue, and How Can We Protect Employees from It?”. Greater Good Magazine.
- ^ Merschel, Michael (February 24, 2022). “Understanding ‘Black fatigue’ – and how to overcome it”. American Heart Association.
- ^ Ross, Rodneya (October 11, 2020). “Understanding ‘Black Fatigue’ and How To Combat It”. Spectrum News.
- ^ Causey, James (June 18, 2025). “I’m exhausted by attempts to pretend discrimination doesn’t exist in America”. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ^ Abdur-Rahman, Nahlah (July 3, 2025). “Online Conservative Groups Are Mocking The Reality Of ‘Black Fatigue’ To Fit A Racist Narrative”. Black Enterprise.
- ^ Martin, Joshua (May 30, 2025). “‘Black Fatigue’ – A social media phrase or a symptom of something deeper?”. Jackson Advocate.
- ^ a b “Coded Hate: Extremists Weaponize Seemingly Innocuous Content to Promote Bigotry”. Anti-Defamation League. July 8, 2025.
- ^ “From the Desk of Mary-Frances Winters: The Truth About Black Fatigue”. The Inclusion Solution. June 11, 2025.
- ^ Johnson, Angela (May 14, 2025). “White Woman Goes Viral Complaining About Being Tired of Black Folks, Messes Around and Finds Out”. The Root.
- ^ “White TikToker Hijacks Term ‘Black Fatigue’ To Explain Her Racism”. BIN. May 13, 2025.
- ^ Stovall, Rachel (July 17, 2025). “Tired of the stereotypical Black fatigue trend”. Colorado Springs Gazette.
