Understanding Healing and Social Change: A Conversation with Latoyia Edwards and Grace Talusan of The Body Papers
The first BARCC Forum: Understanding Healing and Social Change kicked off on Tuesday, November 16 with a moving and personal conversation about sexual violence and its intersectionality with other issues such as race, gender, immigration, economic stability, and mental health. Moderated by NBC 10 Boston’s Latoyia Edwards, the virtual conversation featured keynote speaker Grace Talusan, who shared a few excerpts from her memoir, The Body Papers and described how the abuse and trauma she suffered as a child affects her relationships, her mental health, and her relationship with her own body.
Over 170 people attended the BARCC Forum, which was the first of its kind to be hosted by the organization. In a time where ending sexual violence remains a challenge for communities, it was rewarding to host an event where participants could show their support and encouragement for Grace and other survivors.
Religion and Immigration
Catholic-raised and Filipino born, Grace shared how religion and experience as an undocumented citizen impacted her ability to speak up to her family and get help. “Some of the ideas that I took away from growing up Catholic is that there’s a hierarchy of men in charge…[I grew up learning that] we should be listening to men who had power.”
As a writer, she used narrative to cope – even though the story that she braved to live was unacceptable. “I also learned about suffering [in the church]. I made up a whole story in my head on why it was okay for me as a child to suffer…it was a way of helping me endure what was happening,” she explained.
Grace’s legal status ultimately silenced her ability to use her voice to report the sexual violence in her life causing her to fear the repercussions of the justice system that may put her family in jeopardy. “I felt a lot of weight on me, not just from the abuse but the structural and societal impacts.”
Many years after moving to the United States and beginning her healing journey, Grace returned to her Philippines ancestral home with her husband. She said that while part of immigration is loss – being away from one’s comfort and culture – it also provides opportunity, resiliency, and power. She added that, visiting the place of one’s trauma, whether emotional or physical, is a difficult act to endure but that revisiting her home country allowed her to reclaim a lost piece of herself. “There’s a part of me that unclenched and relaxed…it was an experience of being at home and in ways reshaped me,” she shared.
Healing and Support
While Grace reflected on the apologies she received or wished to receive, she noted that with time it’s not about the apologies and remorse but rather surrounding support. From her mother showing up to almost every book event, fellow survivors sharing their stories, or her engaged friends, readers and listeners have impacted Grace’s coping journey. “For people who can’t get an apology from those who they wish it from, I think you can find it in other places and people,” she says.
For those seeking support, especially survivors in marginalized communities, there is a need for formal and organized spaces to talk openly about sexual abuse. Grace mentioned that undergoing therapy wasn’t custom in her Filipino community. “If I wasn’t motivated to continue therapy I might have stopped,” she said, further explaining that reducing the stigma around getting help is extremely important. Grace said that she recognized her power at age twelve and continues a daily journey of healing. She offered beautiful words of wisdom on how to give grace to yourself, especially in times of trauma and suffering. “Being gentle to yourself and self-compassion is extremely important,” she said.
After the event, BARCC hosted a Question-and-Answer (Q&A) session. During this time, participants had the opportunity to ask Grace follow-up questions about her book and engage in further discussion about intersectional issues. Topics such as the connection between disability and sexual violence were brought up. Additionally, a member of BARCC’s Survivors Speakers Bureau spoke to their experiences as a survivor.
Writing The Body Papers
Grace’s book took about a year and a half from start to finish to publish and is a large factor in regaining the power she has over her story. She explained that the writing journey was like “debridement” meaning when writing the book, it was like “cleaning an infection.”
“It didn’t feel like I was hurting myself,” she said. “I was arming myself with the access and resources I needed to get across the line and finishing it.”
Grace knew her story was power, and instead of choosing to withhold it she chose to share it – with beauty, grace, and understanding.
You can purchase Grace Talusan’s book, The Body Papers here, and rewatch the BARCC Forum here.
If you would like to learn more or get involved with BARCC’s work, we invite you to check out volunteer opportunities or donate to the services that support survivors.
