We all have race-based trauma. But the way we hold it in the body depends on skin color because our relationship to White supremacy is dependent upon skin color. For those who are White, we hold the trauma as supremacy. For those who are Brown, you hold the trauma as colonization. And for those who are Black, you hold the trauma as enslavement. In terms of White racialized trauma, gender also plays a role in how the trauma flows through the body. For White women, the emotions that tend to present initially are guilt and shame. These emotions lead to a number of behaviors including crying, defensiveness, lashing out at Black and Brown communities (especially women of Color), and rushing to defend and stand with other White women when we perceive that they are being accused of being racist (i.e. standing in White solidarity). In this post, we’ll dive into:

The emotions that tend to present initially in White women when it comes to racialized trauma,
Why we must address our racialized trauma and stop demanding that communities of Color (especially Black and Brown women) do our emotional work, and
The difference between race literacy work and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work

My introduction to a race-based conversation occurred in 2015. I had a very stereotypical White woman response - I froze, I teared up, I couldn’t move. All I could think was that I was a “good White woman” and not racist. Although I didn’t want to do racial literacy work, I kept at it. It wasn’t until 2020 that I learned that White people have racialized trauma. When I learned that, it illuminated my world and suddenly explained White behavior. Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of White people on addressing and healing our racialized trauma so that we can have meaningful and impactful race conversations with people of Color.

Understanding and Dismantling Internalized Racism

If you're a White woman (cis or trans) interested in racial literacy, you've come to the right place. This journey involves exploring internalized racism and collaborating with communities of Color to dismantle White supremacy. Since 2015, I have been on this path, primarily navigating it alone. I've read books, watched documentaries, and attended classes, but lacked a consistent support system to address questions or seek feedback on my thoughts regarding White supremacy.

As I speak out more against White supremacy, I receive private messages from White individuals who are hesitant to ask questions publicly for fear of criticism, appearing insensitive, or, most distressingly, harming individuals from historically oppressed Black and Brown communities. I understand this fear because I have experienced it, too. However, our silence is a form of privilege that perpetuates White supremacy.

Addressing Racial Literacy in Workshops and Courses

In my courses and workshops, I focus on White women (cis and trans) because our experiences with race-based trauma tend to differ from those of White men and White trans men. We often carry debilitating guilt and shame. It's essential to work through these emotions to move beyond them.

A critical part of this process is acknowledging and owning our significant role in upholding White supremacy. Historically, the vast majority of White women have not stood with underrepresented people of Color to end racism. Instead, our loyalty has often been to White supremacy. We must work through this trauma and the accompanying grief.

Taking Responsibility for Our Emotional Work

For too long, White individuals have expected people of Color, especially women of Color, to soothe us and reassure us of our goodness. This is not their responsibility. It's our job to do our emotional work. I create a space for us to engage in this work, allowing us to process our trauma, ask race-related questions, and examine how we perpetuate White supremacist conditioning. This is the foundation for dismantling White supremacy.

A Lifelong Learning Process

I'll be learning alongside you. Even if you're new to racial literacy, you'll soon realize that there's always more to learn about the experiences of people of Color and our internalized racism. Despite this continuous learning, there comes a point when you know enough to start speaking out against racism and standing up to White individuals in your communities who silence the voices of people of Color.

Distinguishing Race Literacy from DEI Work

It's important to differentiate race literacy from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work. DEI focuses on organizational structures, while race literacy work, although essential to organizational work, has an individual component. It requires us to confront our internalized racism. Without this personal work, DEI initiatives in organizations are likely to fail because they don't address the roots of racism.

Moving Forward Together

We move slowly through the content in my workshops and courses, allowing time to address race-based trauma comprehensively. This deliberate pace ensures that we thoroughly understand and address our internalized racism.

By committing to this journey, we can begin to dismantle White supremacy and build a more equitable and just society. Join me in this vital work of racial literacy and take the first step towards meaningful change.

Racialized Trauma and the White Woman Body