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Resmaa Menakem

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

Resmaa MenakemNonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2017

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Book Brief

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Resmaa Menakem

My Grandmother's Hands

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2017
Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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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.

Informative

Emotional

Challenging

Contemplative

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.6

15,760 ratings

90%

Loved it

8%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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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.

4.6

15,760 ratings

90%

Loved it

8%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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