Carrying the Weight: A Reflection on Environmental Trauma, Systemic Injustice, and Purpose

By Kimberly Warmsley, LCSW
Former Vice Mayor of Stockton, California

There is no mystery, no secret, when it comes to the systems designed not to uplift our communities but to suppress them. The burden we carry is not imagined. It is real, and it is heavy. Environmental traumas, systemic discrimination, and institutional failures are embedded in the very core of our society. And we live with their consequences every single day.

I don’t know about you, but there isn’t a moment, especially in this current political climate, when I don’t worry about the safety and well-being of my children. That fear is constant.

I have witnessed firsthand the stripping away of justice, the erosion of equity, and the deliberate dismantling of our education systems. On top of that, we face global catastrophes that continue to shake our foundations. It’s overwhelming. Each day, I receive countless phone calls, text messages, and urgent questions from those trying to make sense of the chaos around us—asking what they can do, how to cope, where to turn.

So today, I want to offer a reminder: your testimony is being tested, and this too shall pass.

Even in these times of despair and disarray, you can find ways to stay grounded, motivated, and aligned with your purpose. Here are a few ways to begin:

1. Acknowledge the Weight

Don’t deny your feelings. Validate your exhaustion. Holding space for pain is not weakness. It is strength.

2. Reconnect with Your Why

Remember the purpose that drives you. Whether it is your family, your community, or the next generation, let that guide you.

3. Prioritize Wellness

Emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness must be nonnegotiable. Rest is resistance. Healing is revolutionary.

4. Build Community

You are not alone. Connect with those who share your vision and values. Collective power is real power.

5. Stay Engaged, Not Consumed

It is easy to get swallowed by bad news. Stay informed but protect your peace. Know when to step back and regroup.

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."
— Maya Angelou

Hold on to your truth. Stay rooted in your purpose. And remember, you are not alone in this fight.

In solidarity and strength,

Kimberly Warmsley, LCSW
Former Vice Mayor of Stockton, California