My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Mending of Our Bodies and Hearts

by Resmaa Menakem

In the three chapters that follow, I suggest some possible directions and activities for each of the three cultures. First, though, let me call out a few essential aspects of creating culture: • Developing and uplifting elders (and eldership) is especially important, because elders provide mentoring and guidance for the next generation. Elderhood isn’t an entitlement that comes with age or a position that individuals can claim. Someone becomes an elder because a community gives that authority to that person, based on who he or she is and what he or she has done. • The creation, telling, and passing on of new stories is crucial. The stories should be narratives of resilience, compassion, achievement, and transformation. • The most effective leaders lead by example and model the way for others. The most effective followers also model the way for others. • Cultural change takes hold through consistency and repetition. When enough people do the same thing, in the same way, over and over, eventually those actions become culture.