Black Women Deserve Better: Healing from Racial Trauma

Black Women’s Unfiltered Reality

This blog post is not going to be wrapped in a bow. If you’re looking for that while talking about the experiences of Black women then I encourage you to ask yourself if you are even ready to talk about them. Another thing, when I say women I am including cis women, trans women, and all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Navigating the Minefield of Racial Trauma

We as Black women live in a society where we are constantly navigating racial trauma. In fact, we navigate white supremacy, patriarchy, sexism, racism, and colonialism all while society is only focused on why we look “angry”. I want to tell those folks to shut the ___ up. We navigate those isms and still go on to obtain college degrees, raise our children, love on our partners, show up for our friends, and excel in our careers. We do all of that and continue to receive injustice at every corner.

Devalued Lives, Unjust World

What is a world where Black women are seen as less than deserving of kindness- much less life, equality, equity, and justice? We live in a world where the life of, feelings of, and desires of a Black woman are completely devalued. I don’t think anyone has described the experience of the Black woman better than Malcolm X during his speech on May 22, 1962: “The most disrespected woman in America, is the Black woman. In reality, the most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. Additionally, the most neglected person in America is the Black woman”.

Breonna Taylor’s Verdict and the Yearning for Change

When I learned of the verdict the Breonna Taylor case. I was stricken with grief. For once, I wanted the life of a Black woman to shake and rattle systems into change. Are Black women undeserving? No, and Black women we deserve better. We deserve to live in a world that believes the air in our lungs is precious, that the thoughts in our minds are valuable and that the feelings in our hearts are valorized. I yearn for the day that valorizing the Black woman is not viewed as an overzealous cause but rather a necessary act.

Creating Spaces for Healing

The state of the world we live in requires us as Black women to constantly create our own spaces for healing from racial trauma. Process those thoughts, pour out those feelings, and create internal space for hope and healing. Black woman, you ARE resilient.

Practical Steps for Self-Care

Here are my suggestions:

1. Meditate. Don’t just open an app and have a sit-down. Consciously check in with your feelings about your racial experiences in this world. Don’t know where to start? This queen, Dr. Candice Nicole has created a BLM meditation.
2. Read. Don’t just pick up a random self-help book. Read literature created by Black women for healing. No idea what I am talking about? Try a series by Queen Afua. I love her book entitled Sacred Woman.
3. Create Community. Talk, weep, and commune with those you trust, those who know you and can pour into you. You are not alone.
4. Move. Go feel the ground beneath your feet. Set an intention, go exercise, and let the sweat wipe melt the pain away. Dance and let the music fill your spirit with love and happiness.

Begin Healing with Trauma Therapy in Baltimore, MD

Over the years, I have had the honor of helping resilient women find compassion for themselves and heal from trauma. If you’re ready to begin healing, please reach out to my therapy practice in Baltimore, MD for trauma therapy.

1. Contact me with questions or interest in starting therapy.
2. You’ll meet with me, Christina, for a consultation call to see if we’re a good fit.
3. Reconnect your heart and mind and begin healing.

Other Services at Revitalizing Inner Self Essense

It is an honor of mine to work with strong and resilient women at my Baltimore, MD-based counseling practice. It is my priority to honor the life you’ve lived before walking through my doors and to help you find a future you love. All of my work is rooted in trauma therapy, whether you are seeking services as a survivor of domestic violence or homicide. I help women heal using a variety of skills including EMDR therapy and Mind-Body Medicine.