Wounded Healers

Wounded Healers: Overcoming by Word of Our Testimonies

A Spoken-Word Performance Written Composed, and Directed by Dr. Timothy Berry

Set Design – Michael Berry

Paintings by Derrick Abner

Lighting and Sound Design by Josiah Berry

Abstract

In America, there is a need to understand precolonial Africa.  However, due to systemic racism, Black bodies have been excluded from upward mobility, victimized by dehumanization, fallen prey to biased and racist policing practices, and plagued by disparities in health and education.  Such conditions have led to internalizing toxic race-based stress, causing damage to the central nervous system. Yet, against all odds, Black bodies have creatively persisted and survived. Drawing upon a conceptual framework inspired by Tupac Shakur–imagery of roses growing through concrete–this story addresses historical trauma and creative resilience. Related to the oral tradition of African/Black Djalis, this spoken-word performance play focuses on five movements/historical periods that function as a chronology of Black bodies grappling with racialized trauma in America: (1) Chattel Hands and Feet; (2) Reconstruction: My Sin is My Skin; (3) The Great Migration: Running for Our Lives; (4) Civil Rights Without Democracy; and (5) Black Body Commodities and Wounded Healing. Combining multiple disciplines including, Africana Studies, Critical Race Theory (CRT), History, Neuroscience, Music Composition, and Creative Writing, this work expresses the ways in which Black bodies have suffered, transcended their own pain, and fostered healing through creativity.  A post-performance discussion is offered for audience members to engage in reflection and critical discourse with the writer, and performers. Drawing upon experiential education models for reflection, this discussion aims to inform audiences about the wounded healing process by better understanding the history and connection between structural racism, body trauma, and self healing. Ultimately, as a result of this performance, audience members can locate themselves within a structurally racist society; grapple with how complicit whiteness perpetuates suffering; and, contemplate how to engage in somatic body work by uprooting White supremacy in their own bodies, leading to personal transformation.

Optional Professional Development Session

Dr. Timothy Berry – Racial Equity Facilitator 

Wounded Healers and The Road to Somatic Liberation

Outline

This training engages participants in a comprehensive approach to learn about racialized trauma.  Foundational to this professional development experience is a historical, theoretical, and cultural examination of racism.  The conceptual framework introduced during this seminar includes: Racial Literacy, Somatic Exercise, and Participatory Action Research. Participants are encouraged to use Glenn Singleton’s protocol for Courageous Conversations About Race as a process to discuss critical race perspectives necessary for interrupting hierarchies of oppression. Participants will better understand psychological, physiological, and biological body trauma; the wounded healing process; and, how to explore holistic well-being. 

Costs: email Dr. Berry to get the costs of the following options

Option 1 - Performance/Discussion Format (2 hours) 

Option 2 - Performance 3-hour professional Development (4 hours) 

Bookings: Contact Dr. Timothy Berry from the contact me page.