Black Fatigue

In recent years, the term ‘black fatigue’ has surfaced within social conversations, especially following significant events related to racial inequities and crises. It can be defined as the emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that Black individuals often experience due to continuous exposure to racial discrimination, microaggressions, and societal injustices. In this article, we explore the components of this term as it appears in Urban Dictionary, its implications, and real-world case studies.

Urban Dictionary is known for its crowdsourced definitions of slang and modern phrases. The entry for ‘black fatigue’ highlights the overwhelming sense of weariness that can set in after prolonged engagement with racism and social justice issues. Here is a typical definition from the site:

Black Fatigue: The exhaustion experienced by Black people when repeatedly addressing issues of race and inequality, affecting their mental health and social interactions.

Understanding black fatigue is crucial as it sheds light on a larger phenomenon that impacts mental health within the Black community. This fatigue can lead to several other issues, including:

Increased Stress Levels: Persistent stress can trigger a range of health issues.
Social Withdrawal: Individuals may tend to isolate themselves from conversations about race.
Mental Health Struggles: Higher rates of anxiety and depression have been observed.