Remembering and Naming the Wounds

During the next several weeks, I will explore practical ways to heal generational trauma. Many of the methods and practices were shared in both of my books: Rage that Spans Generations and Faces in the Smoke

This week, we discuss:

  1. Remembering and Naming the Wounds

Why it matters: Silence and shame allow trauma to persist. Speaking truth honors your ancestors and acknowledges survival. 

Practices:

  • Gather oral histories from elders – ask about struggles, migrations, spiritual practices, and values.
  • Visit ancestral lands or cultural landmarks (physically or symbolically).
  • Create rituals of remembrance – candles, songs, or storytelling circles to honor those who endured enslavement, colonization, or cultural erasure. 

Naming the wound allows the medicine to find its way.” – African Proverb

Monarch butterfly