ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I address definitions and examples of adversities for the populations examined in the book, namely Holocaust survivors, Latinx immigrants, and other survivors of systemic oppression. More specifically, the chapter will focus on barriers such as prejudice and discrimination, oppressive political policies, language barriers, and attempted extinction. Examples from our research studies and other extant literature will exemplify that in recent years, Latinx individuals in the United States have faced political legislation and treatment that minimizes their needs and discriminates against them. Holocaust survivors faced unimaginable, xenophobic treatment during World War II and continue to suffer greater health concerns, more fear and paranoia, concerns about children’s well-being, and chronic stressors than other immigrants of their age. In this chapter, we build upon the conceptual foundations described in Chapters 1 and 2, showing that the disproportionate, continuous, and unique types of adversities faced by marginalized and oppressed groups can lead to a certain type of critical awareness, and thus, critical resilience.
