The Quaking of America

Book excerpt: The New York Times bestselling author of My Grandmother's Hands surveys America's deteriorating democracy and offers embodied practices to help us protect ourselves and our country. "All of us need to read this book—and then act on it.”—Angela Rye, NPR political analyst and former CNN commentator "Resmaa Menakem is one of our country's most gifted racial healers. His brilliant new book could not be more timely."—Michael Eric Dyson, author of Entertaining Race and Long Time Coming In The Quaking of America, therapist and trauma specialist Resmaa Menakem takes readers through somatic processes addressing the growing threat of white-supremacist political violence. Through the coordinated repetition of lies, anti-democratic elements in American society are working to incite mass radicalization, widespread chaos, and a collective trauma response in tens of millions of American bodies. Currently, most of us are utterly unprepared for this potential mayhem. This book can help prepare us—and possibly prevent further destruction. This preparation focuses not on strategy or politics, but on practices that can help us Build presence and discernment in our bodies Settle our bodies during the heat of conflict Maintain our safety, sanity, and stability in dangerous situations Heal our personal and collective racialized trauma Practice embodied social action Turn toward instead of on one another The Quaking of America is a unique and perfectly timed guide to help us navigate our widespread upheaval and build an antiracist culture.