Politicized Healing: Revolutionizing the Heart and Mind
Photo by Omer Salom
“The only real revolution happens right inside of you”
In the words of J. Cole’s song "High for Hours", “The only real revolution happens right inside of you“ This lyric has always been a central touchstone for my approach to healing, especially in the context of political and social justice. It speaks to the revolutionary potential of self-transformation, urging us to confront the internalized systems of harm and oppression that we carry within us. Our bodies, as sites of both personal experience and collective history, are deeply impacted by the forces of systemic supremacy and societal violence. If we are to create lasting, meaningful change in the world, we must first look inward—to the ways we’ve internalized the systems that shape our lives.
Healing, in this sense, is not merely an individual endeavor. It is a deeply politicized process, an act of resistance against the oppression embedded in our own minds and bodies. As a politicized healer, I understand that the personal is inherently political. The emotional, psychological, and spiritual wounds we carry are often a direct result of larger societal forces, whether that’s racism, patriarchy, classism, ableism, or other systems of dominance. These forces shape how we see ourselves and others, how we navigate the world, and how we experience both suffering and joy.
The process of healing requires us to interrogate these systems—how they manifest in our minds, bodies, and hearts—and to actively dismantle the oppressive structures we have internalized. This is not an easy process, but it is one that has the power to transform us on a deeply personal and collective level. True healing means facing our darkness, acknowledging our wounds, and moving through the pain in order to emerge more whole, more free, and more aligned with our truest selves.
Our wounds are not just personal—they are shaped by centuries of oppression, colonization, and social injustice. In order to heal, we must understand the historical forces that have shaped our identities and perceptions of self. Healing is a journey into our ancestral histories, into the stories passed down through generations, and into the spaces where pain and oppression have been silently carried.
Intergenerational trauma refers to the wounds passed down from one generation to the next—whether through family dynamics, cultural conditioning, or the collective suffering of marginalized communities. To truly heal, we must acknowledge these cycles and work to break them, freeing ourselves from the narratives of oppression that no longer serve us.
Politicized Healing: A Revolution of the Heart
Politicized healing is not just about individual well-being—it's about revolutionizing the heart. It’s about shifting our mindset and breaking free from the societal norms that hold us captive. This revolutionary heart is about reclaiming our power, dignity, and authenticity. It starts with healing the wounds we carry from personal, collective, and ancestral trauma, and it moves us toward a new world—one where we embrace ourselves and others with compassion, understanding, and equity. We cannot change the world unless we start by changing ourselves. Healing the heart is the first step in creating a world where justice, compassion, and love guide the way.
How to Begin the Journey of Politicized Healing
Acknowledge Your History: Explore your own ancestral stories and how historical events have shaped your sense of self. Dive into ancestral healing and learn about your lineage, cultural background, and the trauma passed down.
Understand Internalized Oppression: Reflect on how you’ve internalized the societal messages about your worth, your identity, and your role in the world. Recognize these internalized beliefs and begin to unlearn them.
Revolutionize Your Heart: Healing starts within. By cultivating a revolutionary heart, you reclaim your self-worth, your empowerment, and your agency. This is about liberating yourself from the constraints of the world’s judgement and learning to love and value yourself as you are.
Engage in Healing Practices: Whether it’s meditation, journaling, therapy, or spiritual practices, find the methods that work best for you in healing old wounds, particularly those tied to historical or ancestral trauma.
Act in Alignment with Your Healing: As you heal, take action in ways that support the collective good. Engage in social justice activism, build community with others who are on a healing journey, and advocate for change that honors the value of all people.
Heal with Intention: Use affirmations, visualizations, and other healing tools to shift your mindset and reconnect with your true self. Be deliberate in your healing, knowing that it is both a personal and political act.
Healing is an act of resistance. It is a revolutionary practice that disrupts the systems of power that keep us disempowered. When we heal ourselves, we heal the world. By healing intergenerational trauma, we break the chains that have kept us in cycles of oppression and pain.
A politicized healer understands that healing the heart isn’t just a personal journey—it is a journey that impacts the whole. When we heal ourselves, we begin to see the world through new eyes. We start to understand our divine worth, and we step into a role of empowerment, both for ourselves and for our communities.
The revolutionary heart is one that is not afraid to break free from the chains of history. It is willing to confront personal and collective pain, heal the wounds of oppression, and emerge stronger and more compassionate. Politicized healing is the path toward true freedom—freedom from the emotional, mental, and cultural forces that seek to diminish our light. Healing is the path to liberation and wholeness.
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