Episode 39

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Published on:

20th Mar 2024

Trauma, Loss, and Healing from Gun Violence for Young Black Men in the US – Dr Jocelyn Smith Lee

The heavy toll of gun violence in the United States is having traumatising impacts on innumerable Black men and boys, many of whom will know one or more family members or friends who have died as a result. Yet there is widespread reluctance to consider the idea of vulnerability and victimisation among these young survivors. 

In this episode, we hear from Dr Jocelyn Smith Lee, who has herself experienced personal loss from the violence, about her work in the cities of Greensboro and Baltimore to challenge dehumanising narratives of Black men and boys and ensure that their voices and experiences are central to efforts to tackle the violence. We also learn about community initiatives helping these men and boys and their families heal from trauma and loss. 

Jocelyn is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She is also the founder and director of the Centering Black Voices research lab, and the founder and project lead for the visual storytelling campaign ‘In All Ways Human’, which was originally funded by a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Award.

Topics we cover:

  • The prevalence of gun violence in the US and its unequal impacts (01:12-04:26)
  • The social contexts for Jocelyn’s research in Baltimore, MD and Greensboro, NC (04:26-08:47)
  • The impacts of trauma and loss from gun violence on Black men and boys (08:47-14:57)
  • (Limited) possibilities for turning points and perceived life expectancy (14:57-19:38)
  • Why we are so reluctant to talk about vulnerability and victimisation among Black men (19:38-22:19)
  • The ‘In All Ways Human’ campaign that Jocelyn has created (22:19-28:30)
  • Telling a different, positive story, through the life-course (28:30-30:49)
  • The effects that police violence has on Black men and boys and their families (30:49-37:08)
  • Services which play a more positive role in their lives (37:08-42:02)
  • How we can help Black men and boys to heal from this trauma and loss (42:02-46:29)
  • The impacts of the violence on women and girls (46:29-48:50)
  • The disproportionate responsibility placed on Black women (48:50-50:22)
  • The recent reduction in homicides in Baltimore, and achieving political change (50:22-55:05)
  • Conclusion (55:05-01:01:14), including: The shocking scale of the homicides, from a young age; How masculine norms can obstruct men from talking about fear and grief; Links with episode 38 with Nate Eisenstadt on non-punitive approaches; The power of Jocelyn's message of hope.

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About the Podcast

Now and Men
Changing Masculinities, Challenging Norms
What role can men play in achieving gender equality?
Why is feminism good for men?
How are rigid ideas about masculinity holding back our lives—and how are people around the world challenging them?

These are the questions at the heart of Now and Men, a podcast hosted by social researchers Dr Stephen Burrell (Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Australia) and Sandy Ruxton (Independent Researcher and Honorary Fellow at Durham University, UK).

We explore masculinity and change in the lives of men and boys today, diving into issues such as gender-based violence, fatherhood, men’s health, politics and the environment. Grounded in feminist thinking, our conversations connect big ideas to everyday experiences—showing how gender shapes all of us, and how men can be part of building a more equal world.

At a time when regressive versions of masculinity are resurging—amplified by political leaders, online influencers, even podcasters—we spotlight the people pushing back. Each episode features inspiring voices working to engage men and boys in positive, transformative ways and imagining feminist futures.

New episodes drop every month. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts, and join us in exploring what healthy, caring, equitable paths forward can look like for men. Questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you at nowandmen@gmail.com.

About your hosts

Stephen Burrell

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I am a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Melbourne. I'm originally from the UK, and moved to Australia at the beginning of 2024. My research is about men, masculinities, and violence. I am particularly interested in the prevention of men's violence - especially violence against women, and violence against the environment - and promoting care as an alternative. I'm a big fan of feminism, drinking tea, connecting with nature, eating vegan snacks, and listening to heavy metal.

Sandy Ruxton

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Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Durham University (UK). Independent researcher, expert on men and masculinities. Previous policy work on human rights, children and families, poverty and social exclusion, and asylum and migration. Programme experience with boys and young men in schools, community, and prisons. Steering Committee member, MenEngage Europe. Volunteer for OX4 Food Crew. Chess-player, bike-rider, tree-hugger. Great grandfather edited Boy's Own Paper, but was sacked.