NCJ Number
51314
Journal
ISRAEL ANNALS OF PSYCHIATRY AND RELATED DISCIPLINES Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1972) Pages: 164-179
Date Published
1972
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A PSYCHOTIC ILLNESS WITH STRONG ELEMENTS OF RACIAL HOSTILITY AND BLACK NATIONALISM AND OCCASIONALLY FOUND IN BLACK INMATES JAILED FOR COMMITTING AGGRESSIVE CRIMES IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
NAMED 'PROTEST PSYCHOSIS,' THIS ILLNESS STARTS ABRUPTLY AFTER EITHER ARRAIGNMENT OR INDICTMENT FOR AN AGGRESSIVE CRIME. THE RELEASE OF PREVIOUSLY REPRESSED ANTIWHITE FEELINGS, WHICH COMBINE WITH AFRICAN IDEOLOGY AND BELIEFS, APPEAR AS REGRESSIVE PRIMARY PROCESS PHENOMENA. IT INCLUDES DEMONSTRAIONS OF MUTISM, DESTRUCTIVE WILD BEHAVIOR (INCLUDING SOME INSTANCES OF SELF-MUTILATION), INCOHERENCE, HALLUCINATIONS, BIZARRE UTTERANCES, AND STRANGE MANNERISMS. IT HAS BEEN SEEN FOR YEARS AT KINGS COUNTY PRISON, NEW YORK, AND RECENTLY CASES HAVE OCCURRED AT THE BROOKLYN HOUSE OF DETENTION IN NEW YORK. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS SCHIZOPHRENIA UNTIL A BLACK PSYCHOLOGIST WAS ABLE TO PENETRATE THE DISTINCTLY SYMBOLIC PROTEST ASPECTS OF THE AILMENT. THE BIZARRE BEHAVIOR CHARACTERIZING THIS ILLNESS AND THE RACIAL HATRED EXPRESSED BY PERSONS AFFLICTED WITH IT ARE DESCRIBED THROUGH A DETAILED CASE STUDY, ACCOMPANIED BY DRAWINGS PRODUCED BY THE PATIENT. THE DRAWINGS ARE FILLED WITH RACIAL SYMBOLISM. THEY SHOW A TOTAL THRUST TOWARDS REVERSING THE WHITE SUPREMACY TRADITION OR STATING AN OBJECTION TO THE ACCEPTED SUPERIORITY OF 'WHITE' VALUES IN TERMS OF AFRICAN IDEOLOGY. THE PSYCHOSIS IS RELATED TO POSSESSION STATES FOUND IN VARIOUS AFRICAN, ASIATIC, AND AMERICAN INDIAN GROUPS. VARIOUS ANTHROPOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS HAVE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH STATES ARE A CULTURALLY ACCEPTABLE OUTLET FOR IMPOVERISHED AND SUPPRESSED PEOPLES. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)