Impact of Trauma on Early Relational Health

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On  August 25, 2020, ECFC’s Early Relational Health and Racial Equity Workgroups hosted a join book club-style discussion on an episode of the “On Being with Krista Tippett” podcast. On this episode, therapist and trauma specialist Resmaa Menakem is working with old wisdom and very new science about our bodies and nervous systems, and all we condense in to the word “race.”

The best laws and diversity training have not gotten us anywhere near where we want to go. Therapist and trauma specialist Resmaa Menakem is working with old wisdom and very new science about our bodies and nervous systems, and all we condense into the word “race.” Krista sat down with him in Minneapolis, where they both live and work, before the pandemic lockdown began. In this heartbreaking moment, after the killing of George Floyd and the history it carries, Resmaa Menakem’s practices offer us the beginning to change at a cellular level.

In preparation for our discussion, we listened to the unedited version of the podcast episode.  As we listened we reflected you listen, reflect on how historic and current trauma impacts the maternal and infant populations (pregnant women; newborn babies; relationships between children and their caregivers & communities; health disparities). Following this framework, we discussed our reflections on the podcast:

A. What: As you listened to the podcast, what specific pieces of the interview resonated with you?

B. So What:

  • What about those pieces resonated for you?
  • What is the takeaway?
  • What is the question that it raises for you, your foundation, your grantees, and/or the field?
  • Did it challenge or reinforce beliefs/priorities you already have?
  • Did it give you a new belief/priority?

C. Now What:

  • Based on the So What(s), what action, if any, do you want to take?Have you made a decision based on this?
  • Will you look to do more research to help you make a decision? Or is there no further action
    for you?

Photo credit: Book seedling rll

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