10% Happier with Dan Harris

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

Jul 6, 2020

Resmaa Menakem is a Minneapolis-based therapist, trauma specialist, and author of "My Grandmother’s Hands". He explores how racial trauma affects all bodies—regardless of color—arguing it manifests physically. Menakem introduces concepts like 'white body supremacy' and 'somatic abolitionism', urging deeper engagement in anti-racist practices. He emphasizes the importance of communal healing through bodily awareness, confronting privilege, and navigating discomfort. The conversation encourages transformative personal growth and sustained commitment to racial healing.

01:15:01

Creator website

Episode guests

Resmaa Menakem

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

4min

Confronting White Body Supremacy

14min

Understanding Racial Trauma: A Somatic Perspective

20min

Confronting Racial Trauma

13min

Navigating Personal Growth Through Racial Trauma

2min

Embodied Healing and Racial Awareness

14min

The Commitment to Understanding Racial Trauma

2min

Navigating Racial Trauma and Demographic Change

7min

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/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ResmaaMenakem Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resmaa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resmaamenakem/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/rmenakem Book Mentioned: My Grandmother’s Hands: https://www.resmaa.com/store/my-grandmothers-hands-hardcover Check our our new, free collection of meditations called Relating to Race in the Ten Percent Happier app: https://10percenthappier.app.link/RelatingToRace Other Resources Mentioned: Malcolm X: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_X Stamped from the Beginning By Ibram X Kendi: https://www.ibramxkendi.com/stamped-from-the-beginning Cherry Blossom Experiment: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190326-what-is-epigenetics Resmaa’s courses: https://www.resmaa.com/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 Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/resmaa-menakem-262