My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem examines how racism and white supremacy impact the bodies of Black, white, and police individuals in the U.S. by storing trauma in the nervous system. It provides historical context and practical body-centered activities to help readers, including specific strategies for different groups, heal from this trauma and promote societal change. The book includes discussions on violence by law enforcement officers and the need for community healing.

My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem has been praised for its insightful exploration of racial trauma and healing. Many readers appreciate its unique blend of psychology and somatic practices. However, some found its content repetitive and its structure challenging. Overall, the book is lauded for its profound impact on understanding and addressing racial issues.

A reader who would enjoy My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem is interested in understanding trauma through a racialized lens, particularly the somatic effects on Black, White, and police bodies. Comparable to readers of The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk or Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, they seek a blend of personal narrative, social commentary, and practical healing practices.

Informative / Emotional / Challenging / Contemplative / Inspirational

Resmaa Menakem

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore My Grandmother's Hands reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read My Grandmother's Hands | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore My Grandmother’s Hands and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

My Grandmother’s Hands Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction

My Grandmother’s Hands Introduction Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “Unarmed and Dismembered”

Part 1, Chapters 1-9

My Grandmother’s Hands Part 1, Chapters 1-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Remembering Ourselves”

Part 2, Chapters 10-17

My Grandmother’s Hands Part 2, Chapters 10-17 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Mending Our Collective Body”

Part 3, Chapters 18-24

My Grandmother’s Hands Part 3, Chapters 18-24 Summary & Analysis

Conclusion

My Grandmother’s Hands Conclusion Summary & Analysis

Background

My Grandmother’s Hands Background

keyFigure

Key Figures

My Grandmother’s Hands Key Figures

theme

Themes

My Grandmother’s Hands Themes

Index of Terms

My Grandmother’s Hands Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

My Grandmother’s Hands Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

My Grandmother’s Hands Essay Topics

My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read My Grandmother's Hands?

Reading Age

Book Details