#262 Why We're All Suffering from Racial Trauma (Even White People) -- and How to Handle It | Resmaa Menakem

It’s easy to think of racism as a virus that lives in your head. But my guest today makes a compelling case that it also lives, in very profound and often unseen ways, in your body. Resmaa Menakem is a therapist and trauma specialist based in Minneapolis. He’s also the author of an excellent book called My Grandmother’s Hands, which people in my life have been recommending to me for years. Resmaa’s work is all about healing our bodies -- and, by extension, our nation -- from racialized trauma. And in Resmaa’s philosophy, racial trauma lives on in bodies of all colors, including white bodies such as mine. Resmaa gives voice to a new lexicon -- terms like “white body supremacy” and “somatic abolitionism” -- and don’t worry, he’ll explain it all as the interview progresses. He will also share practices that bring you into your body. And he has very provocative thoughts about how white people can do their part way beyond the current news cycle.

Where to find Resmaa Menakem online: 

Website: https://www.resmaa.com/

Social Media:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book Mentioned:

• My Grandmother’s Hands

Check our our new, free collection of meditations called Relating to Race in the Ten Percent Happier app: https://app.tenpercent.com/link/content?topic=9b690091-ad96-4557-8dbf-23d23b13d979 

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Malcolm X
• Stamped from the Beginning By Ibram X Kendi
• Cherry Blossom Experiment
• Resmaa’s courses

Additional Resources:

• Ten Percent Happier Live: https://tenpercent.com/live
• Coronavirus Sanity Guide: https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide
• Free App access for Frontline Workers: https://tenpercent.com/care