Today's featured presentation fostered a great discussion, led by Resilient Sacramento members Imani Lucas, DeAngelo Mack, and Donielle Prince. The photo above includes the reflection questions, which were there as a backup in case the discussion stall. Which we didn't need to draw on at all!
We ended up having a robust discussion that largely unfolded organically, but powerfully. We shared what we've learned from study, practice, and personal experience, leading into an amazing, candid, and open discussion among members about how, in particular, historical trauma impacts lives today.
Donielle framed the conversation around the need to center intergenerational, historical, and community trauma in the ACEs conversation and larger movement. Imani struck major chords with members when he described the burden that many feel to "codeswitch"- not just in terms of language, but also in terms of culture and behavior, out of fear of negative consequences. Several members echoed this experience and thanked Imani for putting the experience in such eloquent, relatable terms.
DeAngelo shared about his recent visit to the Peace and Justice Memorial, a project of Equal Justice Initiative founded and directed by famed lawyer and author, Bryan Stevenson. DeAngelo brought forth the mood and spirit of his experience at the historic opening of the memorial, retelling a painful story of one lynching he learned about at the memorial- out of 5,000 recorded lynchings that are acknowledged in this space. He shared that ultimately the experience was both somber and joyful- at the fact that these lost lives were finally being lifted up.
As a group, we committed to continuing this conversation and ensuring that Resilient Sacramento integrates understanding about systemic trauma, in all its forms and across all impacted communities, into our efforts to educate Sacramento about ACEs, trauma informed practice, and resilience.
Attached are copies of the resources we shared. For those of you that couldn't make it, feel free to download and share with colleagues- in fact, even those that were there, please feel free to do the same!
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