My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies

Written by Resmaa Menakem

Narrated by Cary Hite

A NATIONAL BESTSELLER
"My Grandmother's Hands will change the direction of the movement for racial justice."— Robin DiAngelo, New York Times bestselling author of White Fragility
In this groundbreaking book, therapist Resmaa Menakem examines the damage caused by racism in America from the perspective of trauma and body-centered psychology.
The body is where our instincts reside and where we fight, flee, or freeze, and it endures the trauma inflicted by the ills that plague society. Menakem argues this destruction will continue until Americans learn to heal the generational anguish of white supremacy, which is deeply embedded in all our bodies. Our collective agony doesn't just affect African Americans. White Americans suffer their own secondary trauma as well. So do blue Americans—our police.
My Grandmother's Hands is a call to action for all of us to recognize that racism is not only about the head, but about the body, and introduces an alternative view of what we can do to grow beyond our entrenched racialized divide.
Paves the way for a new, body-centered understanding of white supremacy—how it is literally in our blood and our nervous system.
Offers a step-by-step healing process based on the latest neuroscience and somatic healing methods, in addition to incisive social commentary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Central Recovery Press
• Release date: Nov 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781662154300

Reviews for My Grandmother's Hands

[Jessica VandeVusse · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A clear and actionable path to healing, thank you for this!

[Faheem Lea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very idealistic approach in dealing with the racial trauma that is very much alive in America. I like the way the author built the narrative based on his grandmother’s unspoken experiences in her life which was exemplified by the condition of her hands (and feet). The author made references to the trauma being in our bodies, which was different. The only issue I had with this book is where the author tried to equate the trauma that White folks experienced in Europe before coming to America with the plight of Black folk that is ongoing. How did White folks overcome their trauma? Prosperity! I believe that there is a correlation between our trauma as Black folk and reparations and why this country is so adamant about not giving us reparations…because it will help to offset our trauma, and they don’t want us healed. However, if they are inclined towards healing, then this book makes some practical suggestions (and exercises) to do so; for Whites, Blacks, and even the PO-lice.

[Courtney Napier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So incredibly good. There’s something for everyone. Very uplifting and educational.

[Sergio Andrade · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everyone should read this book! We have a lot of work to do and this book offers insightful recommendations for how we can heal and grow up as a society.

[Andrea W. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had forever changed how I lead as a social justice educator. The first time I read it, my expectations and what the book actually is weren’t in alignment. But I needed that first exposure so that I could come back around to it a second time and truly connect with all the brilliance within.

If you’re reading the reviews pondering if you should read it or not, don’t overthink it. Just do it. If the first read leaves you feeling some kinda way (regardless of your identities), I highly encourage you to return for a second read at a later time. So glad I read it twice.