01/25/2026
As we bear witness to ongoing violence and dehumanization- it is critical that we slow our pace enough to identify how our system is processing active trauma. What is your go to? How do you actively cope? And what do you do in your evening to get to a space to sleep? Liberation therapy invites you to learn to hold paradox. There is no “self-care” that will “help” witnessing murder. These tools are dangerous and continue to disconnect you to humanity and the self. Holding the paradox of ongoing violence and all the emotions/feelings that surface while being criticially conscious of what is happening, while still moving forward- is a skill to be built.
Western Psychology has done a disservice to us facilitating a society that puts bandaids on bullet holes, and cement over feeling and holistic connection.
Humans are far more intelligent and capable than our systems imply. We are capable of being entirely emotional beings, without going into a state of withdrawal or avoidance.
Those are western coping skills. I invite you to entertain more integrative and anti-oppressive approaches to care by exploring spaces, resources and most especially Mental Health Care that will help empower and liberate you- not keep you in chains.
Exercise:
Sit with witnessing. Breathe. Speak out loud what is coming up for you. Is it an emotion? Where do you feel it in your body? What does it feel like? (Write what you identify down). What does feeling these things- illicit in you? Are you comfortable with what it illicits? Why? Or why not? And finally- what do you think you should be doing with all that you’ve sat with? Do you feel urgency? Write that down. Breathe. Now remind yourself that although you are witnessing violence- at the moment you are not in danger. This is where the work begins of aiding your system in learning emotional tolerance and critically understanding the difference between fear, anger, uncomfortability and real danger.
Ground yourself with something familiar (fidget toy, pet, stuffed animal, frozen orange, partner, etc.) if you start to feel overwhelmed by what you’re exploring and keep breathing.
We can, and must- do this together.
