Unveiling Somatic Abolitionism with LaShanda Sugg: A Journey of Racial Healing
LaShanda Sugg, a self-proclaimed soul hugger, goes beyond traditional embraces. Her connections are deep, touching the soul without physical contact, inviting laughter, screams, or moments of peace. For her, this profound interaction is a way to mend the wounds of racial trauma that have plagued Black people for generations.
“In this country, Black individuals often feel disenfranchised and undervalued,” Sugg explains. “Through building a relationship with our nervous system, we can regain control over our responses to the world around us, disrupting the cycle of inherited trauma and systemic oppression.”
Her approach, somatic abolitionism, focuses on healing racial trauma at a cellular level. By acknowledging and addressing the impact of racism on the body, individuals can work towards collective consciousness and profound healing.
Introduced to somatic abolitionism during a transformative experience in therapy, Sugg underwent a journey of rediscovering her body’s resiliency. Through guidance from leaders like Resmaa Menakem and Education for Racial Equity, she developed the tools to empower others on their path to healing.
Sugg emphasizes the importance of understanding and reconnecting with the body, particularly in the face of racial trauma. She challenges the notion of Black individuals as machines, urging people to embrace their emotions and rediscover the power of rest.
By recognizing and challenging automated responses to stress and danger, individuals can begin to cultivate a sense of stillness and presence within themselves. This process, Sugg explains, is essential for dismantling the impact of capitalism and racial trauma on the nervous system.
Her message is clear: rest is not a sign of weakness but a radical act of self-care and resistance. Through building a relationship with our nervous system, we can transcend generations of trauma and pave the way for profound healing.
From infants to seniors, Sugg believes that age is no barrier to healing. By embracing somatic abolitionism, individuals can transform their relationships with themselves and others, creating a ripple effect of healing and liberation.
Written by Renata Sago for Word In Black