Relationships should be a place of rest—but what if they often feel like the opposite?
In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley Bonner dives deeper into the spirit of annihilation—a concept introduced by Resmaa Menakem—to explore how inherited trauma fuels conflict in Black relationships. She unpacks how historical wounds manifest in our interactions today and why choosing rest is a radical act of healing.
But here’s the truth: Healing doesn’t come from ignoring the wounds or making excuses. It comes from recognizing the ways we perpetuate cycles of harm, setting boundaries, and choosing rest as a form of resistance.
Kelley Highlights
✅ The difference between frustration and the spirit of annihilation—and why it matters
✅How generational trauma shapes Black relationships today
✅Why cultivating accountability is an act of love
✅ A new approach to healing—by rejecting toxicity and embracing rest
If love has ever felt exhausting, if relationships have left you feeling drained—this episode is for you. Because healing begins when we stop making excuses and start making space for peace.
Ways To Support The Podcast:
⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)
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Connect With Resmaa Menakem
Web:
- www.resmaa.com
- www.culturalsomaticsuniversity.thinkrific.com
- https://blackoctopussociety.com
- https://blackoctopussociety.com/subscriptions/
Instagram:
- @resmaamenakem
BGB Community Minute l Aline Lopes
ATTN: BGB Community In Dorchester (Boston Area) Massachusetts, we are happy to highlight an amazing upcoming play in your area. We need your help to support this event.
Note From Aline Lopes:
My name is Aline and I am a theatre company owner from Boston. Our productions are focused on stereotypes and taboos surrounding mental health that exist in black and brown communities.
About The Play:
The play's name is "The Many Faces Of The Strong Black Woman: The Dark Days", and we will be performing at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, MA April 4th and 5th, 2025.
The play is a part of a series of plays that displays different stories of black women maneuvering through the stressors of life all while trying to live up to the ideals held by the idea of "the strong black woman". The plays are meant to highlight the interconnectivity that exists between our biology and our race. The play displays some of the ways these factors impact us as black women living in the US. This particular play showcases what happens when all the members of a sisterhood are simultaneously struggling to manage their individual mental health status. The play focuses on the ways we interact with our inner circle and the world beyond when our mental health is suffering.
This production displays some of the dark ways we impact ourselves and those close to us when our mental health is deteriorating. The story is told through dialogue, dancing, singing and rapping. The production collaborates with local artists and works hard to use as much original local music as possible.
Where:
Strand Theater
543 Columbia Rd
Dorchester,, MA 02125
When:
Friday April 4, 2025
Saturday April 5, 2025
Attire:
Evening / Cocktail Attire
Time:
The play begins at 7pm - 8:30 (20 minute intermission). Afterwards there is a meet and greet with the cast. Coffee and desserts are served during this time.
Art:
We will also be displaying paintings and other visual arts pieces, from college and high school students in the gallery.
Purchase Your Ticket:
Learn More About This Organization
https://www.thecrewproductions.com/
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