Together, We Heal | How Showing Up For Others Helps Us All Thrive
What does it mean to create healing in an era of political and social unrest? This is a question that many individuals, particularly those in marginalized communities, are grappling with in this unprecedented moment. How do we take care of ourselves when the world seems completely off its axis? In the wake of the recent U.S. election crafting and implementing answers to this question feels more important than ever. The challenges we face, particularly for communities of color, require not just individual resilience but a reframing of how we engage with the world around us.
“Part of how I take care of myself is feeling useful. It's actually quite demoralizing for me when I feel like I can't do anything.”
On the Shaping Freedom podcast, Patrisse Cullors, an American activist, artist, and writer who co-founded the Black Lives Matter movement, expressed a sentiment that is striking in its simplicity. During this time, in the wake of an election that has shaken our sense of reality, Patrisse states that the way to move forward is build a network of healing that takes everyone who might be suffering into consideration: “I'm thinking a lot about the queer and trans community during this time. And thinking about women and our bodies and what's going to happen. What kind of level of skills will I need? Because part of how I take care of myself is feeling useful. It's actually quite demoralizing for me when I feel like I can't do anything.” The need to feel effective during a time when systems seem to be failing can be overwhelming, but it also points to a deeper truth: our path toward healing is not just about personal wellness. It’s about community well-being. In this light, self-care becomes an act of mutual aid—of caring for others as a way to care for oneself.
This mindset is crucial in a time when the political landscape continues to neglect the needs of historically marginalized communities. As societal divides deepen, the most vulnerable often bear the brunt of policies that fail to meet their fundamental needs—clean drinking water, access to healthcare, and safe neighborhoods. "We deserve the spaciousness to determine our own destinies," Patrisse reminds us, a call for autonomy and dignity amidst the overwhelming challenges of today.
“We deserve the spaciousness to determine our own destinies…”
It is no surprise then that there appears to be a growing momentum for community self-sufficiency, particularly in the form of growing food and supporting mutual aid initiatives. Patrisse herself is one of the founders of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart Art Center, an art gallery and community garden that, as Patrisse states, “is really about how we envision a world that actually centers care and love and humanity, not punishment.” Patrisse’s desire to start a garden and grow food for her community reflects a desire for sustainability and empowerment, and highlights a shift away from traditional forms of political engagement.
Instead, many now are drawn to grassroots initiatives that focus on tangible care—feeding people, supporting those who are most in need and at risk, and ensuring that none of us are left behind. “I’m very interested in that kind of work,” Patrisse affirms, underscoring the importance of community-based action in times of crisis.
In order for us to move forward, self-care must be understood not just as a retreat from a world that seems to have lost its way, but as active participation in healing and rebuilding a world we want to live in. It is about finding new ways to connect, build, and nurture communities. In doing so, we contribute to the collective imagination of a world that is not only for some of us, but for all of us.
TL;DR (Too Long Didn’t Read)
Self-care is no longer just about personal wellness but about community support and engagement.
Marginalized communities often face political systems that disregard their basic needs, emphasizing the importance of local action.
Mutual aid projects, such as growing food and supporting those in crisis, offer practical ways to care for both oneself and others.
A sense of usefulness and contributing to the common good is central to resilience in times of crisis.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Patrisse Cullors Follow Patrisse’s Journey
Learn more about Patrisse’s initiatives
Explore the Crenshaw Dairy Mart Art Center
Listen to Patrisse and Lisane on the Shaping Freedom podcast.