#10 Lucy Wairimu Mukuria: The essence of humanity, unpacking colonialism and identity

In this episode, we welcome Lucy Wairimu Mukuria from Nairobi, Kenya. Lucy shares her insights on how Western people often unconsciously reinforce colonial practices. She recounts personal stories about her experiences with racism and colourism, both in Kenya and internationally. Lucy emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and identity and how these factors contribute to the ability of Africans to stand up for themselves. She also discusses the challenges of social expectations and the impact of historical traumas on contemporary society. Lucy reflects on her 20 years of experience in psychology and the limitations of Western approaches to mental health. She advocates for a broader perspective on normality and abnormality, highlighting the need for cultural inclusivity and understanding. The conversation concludes with a powerful message about the essence of humanity and the necessity of recognizing and celebrating our shared humanity.

Read the transcript

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:51 Understanding Colonial Mindsets

04:54 Identity and Race Dynamics

13:29 Challenging Western Approaches to Mental Health. What is Normal?

18:57 Identity and Mutuality

20:21 Microaggressions

21:12 Understanding Socialization and Cultural Inclusivity

27:14 The Essence of Humanity, Finding Our Centre

39:16 Outro

More information

Lucy Wairimu Mukuria on LinkedIn

The True North Kenya

Global Good x Amani

International Humanitarian Award