Intertwine’s plans for engaging Resmaa Menakem’s “My Grandmother’s Hands” (Updated with Group Instructions)
In this moment in history, humanity has the potential to heal the wounds of centuries of human cruelties that every person carries in their bodies. This requires more than education about the past and inspiring rhetoric about dreams for the future; we are inhabiting bodies that continue to react in fear. With intentional practice, we can rewire our own habitual/subconscious responses. In doing so, we expect to become more effective in taking actions that move toward transforming our social, political, and economic structures into those that support and sustain life for all.
And so, Intertwine and friends (including individuals and community collaborators) are beginning to immerse our bodies in the healing work presented in Resmaa Menakem’s My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies.
This post includes information about the current status of our work and the intentions that will shape our process moving forward.
What we’re up to:
Get a copy of the book and start reading and PRACTICING! We have a limited number of books available. Email info@intertwinene.org to request a copy — or purchase a copy via Resmaa.com (while you’re there check out his free 5-session e-course). As you begin reading, engaging the embodied practices throughout the book is absolutely essential. This isn’t about simply growing in knowledge about racism and white-body supremacy. This is about “metabolizing” trauma — healing our bodies and transforming our relationships through practice.
Forming working/learning groups of 3–4: Take this work to another level and connect in a small learning group with 2–3 other individuals. You are welcome to form these groups on your own, or, if you would like to be connected with a group, let us know (info@intertwinene.org). We’ll help facilitate connections. Groups should be formed amongst individuals/bodies who share a similar embodied experience. That is, Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC) bodies with other BIPOC bodies and white bodies with other white bodies. While we are collectively engaging in this healing work, our roles and responsibilities are nuanced by our bodies and experiences.
In addition to mutual support and accountability, our work in groups help us attend with greater precision to our subtle resistance and coping mechanism that would inhibit our healing. Pictured here is a group guide with suggested structure and instruction, including centering practices, roles, a journaling process, etc.
Intentions for our work over time:
This is a lifelong process: This isn’t a time-bound book study. This is an intentional engagement with wisdom and practices that will initiate and further the healing of our bodies and relationships, particularly in relation to the impacts of racialized trauma and white-body supremacy. My Grandmother’s Hands is a significant resource that we’ll engage and re-engage over time.
Shared Language and Collective Healing: We will gain shared language, historical awareness, and practices for the healing of our bodies. We will be empowered, individually and collectively, to be people who are actively anti-racist. We will find ourselves increasingly operating from a space of loving presence, not reactionary fear.
Shaping and creating culture: This work will aid us in creating community and culture. From a place of healing, we get to imagine/practice/form new expressions of being human together (ritual, art, communication, work and rest and relationships (i.e., economics), etc.). We’ll draw from:
- our ancestors/past and a curiosity and connection we foster through the work
- our present — engaging this place and the relationships that exist here, including honoring and learning from indigenous peoples
- our future — the emerging future we dream of and shape and draw into reality through this healing work and an unleashing of creative capacities.
Now is the time for healing revolution. Our collective good work (and rest!) will further form us into “communities called beloved” (Dr. Barbara Holmes) that have the power to transform our world. Thanks for being a part of this movement!
If you have intuitions, questions, ideas for other collaborators, etc., please reach out and let us know. Email info@intertwinene.org We also have a few copies of the book remaining.
What a beautiful and revolutionary thing it is to heal! What a gift to heal together!
Peace and breath in this moment and in all to come
