Getting under the skin of society: embodiment, belonging, and the power of counter-listening

ABSTRACT This paper describes our critical analysis of interviews with youth about self harm (heretofore, referred to as embodied expression). We noted participants’ relationships with people and systems, and the power that characterized the relationships. Grief and rage were expressed about the exclusions and expulsions that had occurred, the “unbelongings” imposed within the systems being described. We heard the expressions of resistance and place-claiming that wounding and scars served for the participant/storyteller. Finally, we consider “counter-listening,” when embodied expressions are heard for their grief and rage about unbelonging, as well as for their agency and reclaiming of place and belonging.