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Navigating Racial Landscapes: Wholeness and Wounds

Author(s) : Aileen Alleyne

Customer Reviews

Our customers have given this title an average rating of 4 out of 5 from 4 review(s), add your own review for this title.

Julia de Greff on 01/08/2026 18:28:47

(5 out of 5)

Simple and complex. Personal and political. Analytical and creative. Dr Aileen Alleyne's book is a great read. I read it mostly in one sitting and I will read it again.
It uncovers the defences we can use as therapists and as humans in regular interactions that keep us from true connection. It invites us to 'see' to 'be with' all that arises for us in our personhood and our bodies, and all that is there in the historical, societal, political and cultural context. In that way it invites us to be whole. It helps us to push off and let go of the cloak of lies and untruths and to open up to a much vaster way of being. Putting our micro interactions both within ourselves and within the racial landscape under keen observation, we are invited to lean into the discomfort, instead of turning away from it. This is surely what makes us more human.

Jubriel Hanid on 01/07/2026 13:46:25

(5 out of 5)

You've finished your training; you're up to date with the latest CPD; you think you've done everything to ensure you're at the top of your game, then this book comes along.

So many new concepts, some of which I identified with as victim, some as unwitting perpetrator, and some as both, but all delivered with the kindness of a benevolent teacher. I highly recommend it.

Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga on 01/07/2026 13:11:31

(4 out of 5)

Dr Aileen presents an honest and raw account of the complex landscape of racial dynamics. She opens with transparency about the emotional, physical and mental cost of her transition from book one to book two. The book is well researched and poignant in many aspects of political and personal dilemma when learning and teaching about supporting, holding and engaging the vulnerability of those impacted by Antiblack racism. Most certainly a model for listening to and engaging with the underbelly of inter racial dialogue,when acknowledging and addressing these contexts. Kudos to Dr Aileen for sharing examples of tenderly holding racialised case material. She generously demonstrates knowledge and wisdom regarding the historical underlay to journeying through the impact on her expertise as a therapist modelling emotional robustness in the field. The book provides guidance for all therapies, and an asset to training as she elucidates concepts such as ‘Polyvagel Theory,’ ‘Wokeness’ ‘Tone policing’ and aspects of attentive listening in colour. The Author takes a deep dive into the naunces of listening in colour to black and white embodiment and interracial relationships, showing each lap of the articulated journey of Kintsugi (symbolised on the front cover)and the reality and legacy of holding ourselves together whilst practicing as black women in the psychotherapy profession. Very well researched and written . A must for training, supervision and relationships within the helping professions.

Tania Caliendo on 30/06/2026 15:17:27

(5 out of 5)

There is a candid generosity which ripples through this legacy work. With global relevance, exposing and tending to micro level dynamics of power,such as the sonic colour line, every one of the 5 chapters of this book is packed with originality and crafted to be applied today in our work, personal and inner life.
Showing HOW and why listening can liberate, in Chapter 4, "To listen in colour is to resist silence and distortion, to hold language with care, and to open dialogue as a space of liberation", this work is a treasure for our generation.
In Dr Alleyne's 2nd Chapter, reflection on the fatigue, the burden and the fullness of a lifetime of DEI work and on the refusal of the obligation/role of super co-regulator, we are led with polyvagal awareness to the re-enlivening 5 point legacy - A manifesto for race work.
The illustration of a neurobiopsychosocial approach to the "White-body" phenomenon, is a mike drop moment. Systems thinking is grand and necessary, and thankfully Dr Alleyne has the means, both in research scope, and concise authority, to map the racial landscapes of today with timely clarity. Here, a chord is struck with all our lived experience. Presented with case studies and examples from the language of Guyanese Creole, in Chapter 5, Dr Alleyne expounds on the universal,intimate bond of love. There is literally a feast of wisdom and in these pages for which I deeply express my gratitude.
The author shows us how reflecting on the atomic/micro level is loaded with the force for individual liberation, which affects the whole, exponentially, starting with those closest to us. It was a pleasure and a challenge to begin absorbing this brilliant book.