THE RACIAL TRAUMA HANDBOOK FOR TEENS
This compact yet comprehensive guide begins with exploring personal experiences of race, family and intergenerational dynamics, and the impact of racism on the self. Many topics are explored, including the additional layers of complexity added by differences in socio-economic status, colorism, and more. The work then covers what readers can do to move forward, with chapters such as “Coping With Racial Trauma Inside Your Body,” “Breaking the Cycle,” and “Understanding Racial Grief and Loss.” Other sections detail treatment options, explaining both when to urgently seek outside help and how to make progress independently through techniques such as self-talk, seeking role models, grounding, engaging in self-care, and so on. The author’s tone is empowering; she empathetically acknowledges challenges but also emphasizes what readers can do to break free from the consequences of the pain brought about by racism. Guided activities and lists offer specific tips and suggestions, balancing the illuminating and never overwhelming contextual data and historical information. While the book is explicitly addressed to and uses examples relevant to Black and Black biracial teens, readers of other backgrounds who have endured racism will find much content that resonates with and proves helpful to them.
