47 pages • 1 hour read
Resmaa MenakemMy Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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.