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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.

Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW, is a therapist with decades of experience currently in private practice in Minneapolis, MN, specializing in trauma, body-centered psychotherapy, and violence prevention. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Dr. Phil as an expert on conflict and violence. Menakem has studied with bestselling authors Dr. David Schnarch (Passionate Marriage) and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score). He also trained at Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute.

In her profoundly moving and insightful book, "My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies," Resmaa Menakem delves into the complex and often overlooked issue of racialized trauma, its impact on our physical and emotional well-being, and the path to healing and liberation. Menakem, a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma specialist, draws upon his extensive experience working with survivors of trauma, as well as his own personal journey of healing, to illuminate the insidious ways in which racism and discrimination can manifest in our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Menakem begins by exploring the concept of "racialized trauma," a term he coined to describe the unique and cumulative impact of racism on the physical and psychological health of people of color. He argues that racialized trauma is not simply a matter of individual experiences of discrimination or prejudice, but rather a systemic and institutionalized form of oppression that has been deeply embedded in our society for centuries. This trauma, he explains, can manifest in a variety of ways, including chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and physical ailments such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Menakem also examines the intergenerational transmission of racialized trauma, arguing that the trauma experienced by our ancestors can be passed down through generations, shaping our beliefs, behaviors, and even our biology. He draws upon cutting-edge research in neuroscience and epigenetics to support his claim that trauma can be stored in our bodies and passed on to our offspring, creating a cycle of pain and suffering that can be difficult to break.

However, Menakem does not dwell on the pain and suffering caused by racialized trauma. Instead, he offers a pathway to healing and liberation. He introduces the concept of "somatic abolitionism," a practice that combines traditional talk therapy with body-based techniques such as yoga, meditation, and dance to help people release the physical and emotional tension held in their bodies. Menakem believes that by addressing the body as well as the mind, we can begin to dismantle the internalized oppression that has been passed down through generations and create a more just and equitable world.

"My Grandmother's Hands" is a groundbreaking work that offers a deep understanding of the impact of racialized trauma and provides a roadmap for healing and liberation. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in racial justice, trauma-informed care, or personal growth and transformation.