Why it matters: Generational trauma can live in the nervous system – showing up as hyper-vigilance, fear, or shame passed down through behavior and biology. Practices: Breath rituals – many African and Indigenous spiritual systems teach that breath is the bridge…
Why it matters: Both African and Indigenous worldviews see healing as communal, not individual. The wound belongs to the community, so does the repair. Practices: Indigenous wisdom teaches that “healing the land heals the people.”
Why it matters: Colonization and slavery disrupted language, ritual, and identity. Reconnecting restores dignity and belonging. Practices:
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: Why…
Healing is not about erasing the past—it’s about understanding it and choosing a different future. By addressing generational trauma, we can change how we relate to ourselves, our families, and our communities. Each step toward healing creates a ripple effect,…
Yes, it can—but it requires intentional effort and often professional support. Healing generational trauma involves both individual and collective work, including:
Generational trauma is transmitted in several ways:Behavioral modeling: Children observe and internalize the coping mechanisms of their caregivers.Communication patterns: Families may avoid talking about painful events, creating a culture of silence and mystery.Epigenetics: Research suggests trauma can even affect gene expression, influencing stress…
In Faces in the Smoke and Rage that Spans Generations, 14-year-old Aponia engages with a trauma-informed therapist to deal with the anger that she is not equipped to handle and grounding.
When you’re triggered or overwhelmed, use tools that regulate emotion rather than suppress it.Grounding: Feel your bare feet, describe your surroundings, breathe deeply.Music: Play songs that comfort or express what you feel.Touch: Hold a soft object, wrap yourself in a blanket – physical…
In the coming weeks, I will share coping strategies for personal emotional healing from generational trauma and how I’ve dealt with them in my books. Acknowledge and Witness Your Story In my book Faces in the Smoke, the protagonist, Aponia, aged…
