54 pages 1 hour read

Resmaa Menakem

My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem examines how racism and white supremacy impact the bodies of Black, white, and police individuals in the U.S. by storing trauma in the nervous system. It provides historical context and practical body-centered activities to help readers, including specific strategies for different groups, heal from this trauma and promote societal change. The book includes discussions on violence by law enforcement officers and the need for community healing.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem has been praised for its insightful exploration of racial trauma and healing. Many readers appreciate its unique blend of psychology and somatic practices. However, some found its content repetitive and its structure challenging. Overall, the book is lauded for its profound impact on understanding and addressing racial issues.

Who should read this

Who Should Read My Grandmother's Hands?

A reader who would enjoy My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem is interested in understanding trauma through a racialized lens, particularly the somatic effects on Black, White, and police bodies. Comparable to readers of The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk or Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, they seek a blend of personal narrative, social commentary, and practical healing practices.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Social Justice

Race / Racism

History: World

Genre

Self Help

African American Literature

Psychology

Period

Colonialism / Postcolonialism

Themes

Identity: Race

Society: Colonialism

Society: Community