“Self-healers believe in the power and authority of their own voices”.
Across generations, the legacies of pain are deeply embedded in the psyche of Black women. We have carried the burden of pain and shame, internalizing them in various ways. Gender stereotypes have dictated our lives, reminding us that we are someone's property and have no authority over our own bodies. This shared history has left us scarred with generational wounds. For transformation to occur, survivors of GBV must not remain trapped in this narrative. We need support and disruption to break free from this toxic cycle. GBV has left many women destitute and emotionally shattered, causing them to doubt themselves. Survivors often struggle to articulate their pain and process their experiences. They have adopted toxic beliefs that suggest there is no hope, and a bleak future awaits them. However, victims and survivors of gendered abuse have the capacity to heal and overcome their traumatic experiences. They can become agents of change and catalysts for healing as self-healers. Self-healers understand that the personal is political and the political is personal. Despite challenging circumstances, they are eager to meet themselves on the other side of their pain. They are determined to resist and overcome the traumas they have witnessed or endured. This healing journey becomes a necessity as survivors defy stagnation and shame.
They begin asking the necessary questions, embarking on a deliberate and lengthy journey of healing. It requires each one to become a self-healer, embracing the process of learning, unlearning, and relearning. It demands vulnerability as they strive to define themselves as the best versions of who they can be.
Self-healers take responsibility and
acknowledge the triggers that remind them of their past pain and inner wounds. Many carry shame associated with their personal stories of gender- based violence. These stories reflect lived experiences of abuse and heartache. Self-healers write and journal about their past and future, revisiting dark corners that have brought them to tears. They confront stories that have shattered their souls.
June 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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