Talking with Healer, Therapist, and NY Times Best Selling Author Resmaa Menakem

Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Social Justice and How We Get Free

Resmaa Menakem

The week of April 19, 2021 was brutal. People around the world, but especially here in the U.S., were waiting on a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. But then there were other killings that same week of Black bodies by police.

It was almost too much to process. But this conversation with healer, therapist, and NYT best selling author Resmaa Menakem gave me a deeper perspective.

Resmaa and I spoke a few hours before the verdict in the trial came down. We talked about George Floyd, we talked about other Black bodies murdered by police. We also spoke about trauma, Black trauma, white trauma, and the trauma that is held in the bodies of those in blue.

We spoke about white body supremacy and what we all need to do to heal that for the sake of all people. We spoke about the role of community in the healing process and how we all need people who not only care for us but hold us to account.

In the context of the trial of the murderer of George Floyd hanging over us, this conversation was especially powerful. After speaking with Resmaa I had a more comprehensive direction for future action and I believe you will too.

For a written transcript of this conversation click here.

Resmaa, Menakem, MSW, LICSW, SEP, is a healer, therapist and NYTimes bestselling author of My Grandmother’s Hands. Resmaa Menakem is a visionary Justice Leadership coach, organizational strategist and master trainer. To help Justice leaders really realize their potential in the areas of Equity & Race, Resmaa created cultural somatics, which utilizes the Body & Resilience as mechanisms for growth.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem, available wherever you buy your books
Resmaa’s Wyser App

Connect with Resmaa:
Website

Credits:
Harmonica music courtesy of a friend