Using their own experience of war as a backdrop, the author explores how trauma shatters an individual's foundational beliefs, leaving them grappling with questions about their own worth and the inherent goodness of humanity. The discussion moves from personal to collective trauma, examining the profound betrayal felt by Black scientists in academia due to systemic racism and drawing parallels to Newton's third law to explain the cause-and-effect relationships at play. Finally, the article offers a starting list of recommendations for individuals and institutional leaders in higher education, aimed at fostering equity and addressing the multifaceted nature of trauma.