Everyone Talks a Big Game About Black Mental Health Until the Moment of Adversity Arises

It’s been nearly two years since the “great awakening” seen in North America, the UK, and Europe during the summer of 2020. I spoke to people back home in the States and here in Calgary about the changes they wanted to make within themselves, but also the changes they wanted to see in their community (both systemically and colloquially). Looking back, there were quite a few people who genuinely meant what they said. But there were also a bunch of performative usurpers.

There have been several international Black celebrities whose mental health struggles have surfaced into the mainstream eye. Take Simone Biles in the U.S. for example, Ben Simmons in Australia, or even Naomi Osaka in Japan. Many of them have been deeply criticized by sports media, news outlets, and faceless social media users. Simmons hasn’t played for the last ten months due to psychological struggles and physical injury; he has been called ‘soft.’ Others have said he is faking or taking advantage of the Brooklyn Nets and his former team the Philadelphia 76ers. Where are the Black journalists defending Ben Simmons? Why were Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka criticized?

The reality is, people have made some changes, but many people still see Black people as a source of entertainment or amusement.