54 pages • 1 hour read
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
300
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2017
Adult
18+ years
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
15,760 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
15,760 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Menakem’s Grandmother
Menakem’s Grandmother
A source of wisdom and personal history that illustrates the connection between the body and intergenerational trauma in Resmaa Menakem's exploration of racial trauma.
Joy DeGruy
Joy DeGruy
An American scholar and author cited by Menakem for her work on inherited trauma, specifically in relation to the legacy of slavery and its impact on Black Americans.
Robin DiAngelo
Robin DiAngelo
An American scholar whose exploration of whiteness and privilege is referenced by Menakem to support his understanding of racial dynamics and white supremacy.
300
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.