Search For Self

Generational trauma is more than a buzzword—it’s a silent epidemic affecting millions of families across America, especially in Black and melanated communities. It’s the pain we inherit, the patterns we didn’t choose, and the cycles we’re left to break.

 

This week on Warzone Wednesday, I, Kimuura, the Pole Practitioner, am unpacking how trauma lives in our bloodlines—and more importantly, how we can heal.

What is Generational Trauma?

Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational trauma, refers to the passing down of emotional wounds, fears, and survival behaviors from one generation to the next. Science backs this up through epigenetics, showing how trauma literally rewires stress responses in our DNA.

 

Examples include:

• Family silence about painful events
• Abuse or neglect repeating across generations
• Struggles with poverty, racism, or systemic oppression
• Emotional disconnection or difficulty expressing love

 

 Read more from the APA on intergenerational trauma

How It Shows Up in Daily Life

Generational trauma often hides in plain sight:

• “What happens in this house stays in this house”
• Fear of authority or institutions
• Hyper-independence or never asking for help
• Chronic stress, high blood pressure, or depression

 

These aren’t coincidences—they’re symptoms of wounds that were never given the chance to heal.

 

 National Library of Medicine on trauma across generations

Healing: Becoming the Cycle Breaker

The good news? Trauma may pass down—but so does resilience. Healing is possible.

 

Ways to begin:

• Therapy & Counseling: Talking about it breaks the silence.
• Community Healing: Safe spaces, support groups, cultural practices.
• Movement Practices: Somatic healing through yoga, dance, and pole practice.

 

As a pole practitioner, I’ve experienced firsthand how reclaiming my body helps me reclaim my story. Pole dance has given me a space to release trauma stored in my body and step into empowerment.

 

 Learn about somatic healing and trauma

Generational trauma is a heavy inheritance—but it does not have to be our destiny. By acknowledging the pain, seeking healing, and choosing to break cycles, we can create a new legacy for ourselves and those who come after us.