"Born Again Slave Syndrome (B.A.S.S.)" Hypothesis
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- Aug 20
- 6 min read
August 17, 2025
Commentary Hypothesis
By Karen Brittingham - Edmond Publisher Editor Echo News TV LLC: Associates of Arts Public Relations, Associates of Science Human Services, Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, Bachelors of Arts Psychology Degree
The hypothesis of "Born Again Slave Syndrome B.A.S.S." explores how a segment of influential or educated Black American citizens may, as a result of cultural transmissions of trauma from slavery, unconsciously adopt behaviors or beliefs that align with dominant White supremacist ideologies. Rooted in the framework of post traumatic slave syndrome, this concept suggests that the enduring psychological effects of slavery can shape attitudes and actions across generations. These cultural transmissions may lead some individuals to internalize oppressive narratives, even as they hold positions of influence or education. Recognizing and addressing these patterns is essential for understanding the ongoing impact of historical trauma and for advancing collective healing and empowerment within the Black community.
Echo News TV LLC Commentary Hypothesis:
Over the past half-century, the United States has witnessed significant political and social shifts, including the rise of administrations and movements that have openly undermined the rights and dignity of Black citizens. The Trump Administration, for example, has been accused of discriminatory practices, including the removal of hundreds of thousands of federal jobs from Black Americans and the promotion of ideologies aligned with the Confederacy. These developments did not occur in a vacuum; rather, they were enabled, in part, by the compliance or even active support of certain sectors within the Black community. Who more than likely witnessed within their lifetime historic Black institutions like the NAACP change their mission statement, plus the horrific child murders such as in the case of Emmett Till in the 1950s. As well as the murders of Medgar Evers, John and Robert Kenndy, Malcolm X, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, and Fred Hampton and Mark Clark during the 1960s. https://www.loc.gov/collections/civil-rights-history-project/articles-and-essays/murder-of-emmett-till/
This compliance is not simply a matter of personal choice or political alignment. Instead, it is deeply intertwined with the legacy of trauma and the psychological adaptations that have historically allowed Black Americans to survive in hostile environments. Traits such as excessive agreeableness, difficulty asserting one’s needs, and a reliance on external authority figures are often linked to what psychologists call an “external locus of control.” For some, these traits manifest as a reluctance to challenge oppressive systems, a tendency to prioritize the needs of others over their own people, and a belief that their well-being depends on the goodwill of those in power.
The roots of these behaviors can be traced to the era of chattel slavery and its aftermath. Generations of Black Americans were taught—both explicitly and implicitly—that survival depended on compliance, deference, and the suppression of dissent. These lessons were reinforced by the violence of Jim Crow, the trauma of public assassinations of Black leaders, and the persistent threat of economic and social marginalization. The “Born Again Slave Syndrome” hypothesis suggests that, for some, these survival strategies have become internalized to the point that they now serve to uphold, rather than resist, the very systems that perpetuate inequality.
Historical context is essential to understanding this dynamic. The so-called “Silent Generation” of Black Americans, born between 1928 and 1945, came of age during a period marked by the Great Depression, World War II, and the struggle for civil rights. Many witnessed the assassinations of leaders like Medgar Evers and the Kennedy brothers, events that left deep psychological scars. At the same time, they were often educated in school systems that distorted Black history and promoted narratives of inferiority. These experiences contributed to a complex relationship with both Black identity and the broader American society.
Family and community stories further illustrate the nuances of this phenomenon. In some cases, Black families maintained connections with White relatives or benefactors, relationships shaped by the legacies of slavery, migration, and intermarriage. (That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Personally, I have White family members who have advocated for me throughout my life, but ...) These ties could offer material plus emotional support but also reinforced the notion that advancement depended on the approval or assistance of White Americans that demonstrate extreme racist behavior who this subpopulation of B.A.S.S. who experience confabulation ideology in contrast to non-racist White populations. Such dynamics, while unique to each family, reflect broader patterns of adaptation and survival.
Despite these challenges, it is important to recognize the resilience and agency that have always existed within Black communities. The same historical periods that produced compliance also gave rise to resistance, solidarity, and visionary leadership. The task now is to critically examine the ways in which inherited trauma continues to shape attitudes and behaviors, and to foster a renewed commitment to collective empowerment and self-determination.
By understanding the psychological and historical roots of “Born Again Slave Syndrome,” we can better address the barriers to unity and progress within the Black community. This process requires honest reflection, open dialogue, and a willingness to challenge both external and internalized forms of oppression. Only then can the full promise of freedom and equality be realized for future generations.
The Impact of "Born Again Slave Syndrome" B.A.S.S. on Black Empowerment and Systemic Racism in North America
The Argument
The Trump Administration has been accused of discriminating against Black citizens by illegally removing 300,000 federal jobs and undermining the Constitution, with intentions aligned with Confederate ideology as per their 2025 Plan. Echo News TV LLC suggests investigating how systemic factors over the last 50 years have contributed to the marginalization of Black citizens, resulting in a third-class caste system. A portion of the Black population, influenced by White supremacist ideologies and referred to as suffering from "Born Again Slave Syndrome," has supported mainstream White agendas, such as the Southern Evangelical Sanctuary Movement and the prioritization of LGBTQ issues, often at the expense of addressing long-term Black citizen community needs and their own peoples children. https://www.echonewstv.com/post/discriminatory-layoffs-at-doge-black-federal-workers-demand-accountability
This compliant behavior has led to the neglect of advocacy for Black rights, aligning instead with White-majority viewpoints. The syndrome is characterized by submissive traits linked to an external locus of control, where individuals prioritize others' needs over their own, fearing rejection. This behavior has roots in cultural transmission among educated Black Americans influenced by mainstream White televangelism, undermining Black advancement since Martin Luther King's assassination. The compliant sector believes they need White protection rather than enforcing their rights as outlined in the Constitution and biblical teachings, which affirm the equality of all humans.
The narrative emphasizes that the biblical creation of male and female in God's image opposes the Southern Evangelical belief that people of color are descendants of animals, a notion used to justify slavery. This belief contradicts African American Christian values and highlights the historical and ongoing struggle against systemic racism and discrimination.
Which picture depicts divinity in your opinion? No judgement
Systematic racism has influenced generations of Black citizens, leading some to adopt religious interpretations from sources like Oral Roberts and the TBN Network, and to align with mainstream America's views on their own community. This phenomenon, referred to as "Born Again Slave" Syndrome, results in the assimilation into White supremacist ideologies, whether consciously or unconsciously. This contributes to the high incarceration rates of Black youth, exacerbated by punitive fines, with little intervention to prevent it. Despite older generations experiencing the Civil Rights advances of the 1950s-1970s, driven by unity in the 1940s, the subsequent generation faced different challenges. Born between 1928 and 1945, they were too young to participate in the early Civil Rights Movement but inherited its legacy amidst the societal shifts of the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Black citizens born between 1928 and 1945, who attended Black Baptist Churches for example instead of African American Episcopal Churches, often encountered White religious imagery—Jesus, Saints, and Angels depicted as White. Original Black churches, prior to stained glass and decor, featured Double Red Doors, a unique trait shared with Black A.M.E. and A.M.E. Zion Churches. The reason for this design choice is unclear, but it may honor Queen Sophia Charlotte's efforts to aid Black freedom or symbolize dual citizenship, reflecting England's role in the origins of chattel slavery in contrast to an laissez-faire economics of North America that tend to disenfranchise Black Americans to the point that past due Reparations were not paid for example.
In conclusion, the intersection of religious teachings, historical trauma, and sociopolitical manipulation has profoundly shaped the experiences and responses of Black Americans born between 1928 and 1945. The internalization of doctrines emphasizing submission and self-sacrifice, reinforced by church teachings and White religious imagery, contributed to a psychological framework that may have limited collective resistance to systemic injustices in subsequent decades. The emergence of "Born Again Slave" Syndrome, (B.A.S.S.) as evidenced by political alignments and a lack of unified opposition to crises such as mass incarceration and the Crack Epidemic, underscores the enduring impact of these formative influences. Furthermore, the deliberate introduction of destabilizing elements into Black communities, facilitated by broader political and religious coalitions, highlights the complex and ongoing challenges to Black agency and empowerment in the United States. Per this writers opinion. https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/9712/ch01p1.htm
References:
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