She Strengthens

Transforming Trauma: How Creative Expression Became a Lifeline for Black America

This year, the world witnessed a global uprising as Black America took to the streets and social media to protest against systemic racism and police brutality. As the anger and frustration mounted, many found solace in creative expression as a means of coping with the trauma.

From Rage to Art

For me, the usual coping mechanism of writing wasn’t enough to process the emotions that came with witnessing the murders of Black people. Instead, I turned to art – illustrations, card making, paper dolls, and comics – as a way to redirect my energy and transform it into something tangible. I wasn’t alone. Other Black folks were also finding comfort in actively transformative forms of comfort, like crafting, baking, and somatic practices.

Crafting as Healing

Dr. Autumn A. Griffin, a yoga teacher in training and postdoctoral fellow, found solace in making bookmarks inspired by ankara print cloth. The meditative state that serious crafting brings gives her a sense of peace and accomplishment. She has donated the proceeds to various community organizations, including supply runs for protests in Minneapolis. For Griffin, crafting provides a connection to her work and a freedom from it.

Jameelah Jones, a writer and graduate student, created handmade cards with Black feminist quotes and vernacular calls for joy, love, and support. Jones found comfort in making these cards, which spoke to the emotions brought on by current events. “This seems like an occasion when you would send a sympathy card. I feel like I can hold something in my hand that represents who I am and what I feel.”

Baking as Conversation Starter

Aya Eltahir, a budding social worker, began baking as a way to make productive use of newfound idle time. Over baked goods, her family had difficult conversations about everything from the current protests to the insidious nature of capitalism. “Those conversations have brought a lot of growth and transformation to me and my family in a short period of time.” Baking provided a nice balance of resting and feeling productive.

The Power of Somatic Practices

Somatic therapy is often thought of as physical techniques like meditation, tapping, or deep breathing. However, creative activities like crafting and baking allow us to raise awareness of our intense emotions and express ourselves in a positive, active state of consciousness. According to transformational coach Olivia Howard, our minds tend to be overcontrolling of our body, erasing the deep wisdom our body holds. With more time to ourselves, the energy our bodies carry needs us to find release.

Healing Through Creative Expression

For Black people, finding a creative mind-body connection is crucial. The tactile nature of activities like crafting or baking raises our awareness of physical sensations in our body, allowing us to move that energy through our bodies rather than letting it sit stagnant and stew. By expressing ourselves creatively, we’re healing our energy body and reclaiming our innate wisdom.

As Brittney Cooper tells us, our rage is a “superpower.” But we can’t let it consume us. We need to figure out how to redirect this energy, make it yield to our will rather than consume us. By doing so, we can transform our lives and find a sense of liberation.