Episode 16: We Apply Balms and Sweet Oils On Our Scars | Healing Internalized Racism
Our depths are too complex for the uninvited to navigate; the magic we conjure too powerful for the uninitiated to comprehend. We are celestial beings filled with truth, creativity, wisdom, devotion, pride, peace, mystery, vulnerability, love and yes, magic. We apply balms and sweet oils on our scars; and carve new pathways so that our daughters might heal and find their way back to us…
-Tarana Burke, Founder of ‘me too’ Movement International
I recently read an article in Essence magazine titled Black Girl Future by Tarana Burke, Founder of the ‘me too’ Movement International. In the article, she reflects on how she finds her true self in the ancestral wisdom of our greatest minds. I felt moved by her words, but I also felt a disconnect.
I can very clearly see, embrace and love the depths of other Black women, but I struggle to do the same for myself. I believe a lot of this stems from being constantly bombarded with negative messages about Black Women that I have internalized over time.
In order to combat the effects of these messages, I’ve been working to be more intentional about healing from internalized racism and internalized inferiority. I started doing a little research to help me better understand these concepts and ways to heal from their effects. Be sure to listen in to this episode to hear what I’ve learned.
In this episode we'll:
Define racism and oppression.
Discuss internalized racism and internalized inferiority.
Explore steps and practices we can take to heal from the effects of internalized racism and inferiority.
Hear journal prompts to help us on our healing journeys.
References:
Steele, J. M. (2020). A CBT approach to internalized racism among African Americans. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 42(3), 217-233. doi:10.1007/s10447-020-09402-0
Johns, T. (n.d.). Learning to love our black selves: Healing from internalized oppressions. The SAGE Handbook of Action Research, 473-486. doi:10.4135/9781848607934.n42
Merriam-Webster Revises ‘Racism’ Entry After Missouri Woman Asks for Changes
Racism | Definition of Racism by Merriam-Webster
Oppression | Definition of Oppression by Merriam-Webster
Hate | Definition of Hate by Merriam-Webster
Internalizations - dRworksBook
Internalized Racism Part 5, with Dee Watts-Jones
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan talks navigating internalized racism and embracing Tamil culture
Is Healing from Racism Possible? | NewHarbinger.com
Episode 04: Sister Friends Sister Circles — Wellness For Black Girls
Poetry Everywhere: "won't you celebrate with me" by Lucille Clifton
Photo by Atiya Walker on Unsplash
Resources:
BetterHelp | Professional Counseling With A Licensed Therapist
Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
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