We are here for survivors that feel alone. These uncertain times can be a catalyst for change. “The diversity of highly sufficient and self determining people ensured survival and resilience that enabled the community to withstand difficult circumstances,” says Simpson. A decolonial kinship is inclusive and connects people through their differences. Kinship has long been a distinctive aspect of racialized communities. Simpson explains resurgence as resilience in her 2014 essay “Not Murdered, not Missing: Rebelling against Colonial Gender Violence” ( She asserts that “radical thinking and action despite reality of gender based violence” is key to reclaiming ourselves despite the destructive forces of hetero normative colonialism. She inspires us throughout her spectrum of work. Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is Michi Saagig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer and artist. “Strong communities are born out of individuals being their best selves.” Our creativity, our love for each other and our combined goal of safety, freedom and joy are the tools we can use to recreate truly safe spaces for our trans siblings.ģ. During this pandemic, this intersection becomes more difficult to navigate, to push through. When we create our own sites of power we reclaim our right to joy. She asserts that there is a possibility of joy for racialized queer, trans, women. Accessing emergency medical services, legal services, or community support then becomes a matter of solidarity and mutual aid. ( 1 42981) According to Benaway, within these cycles, these repetitive and oppressive cycles, the opportunity to feel joy and happiness are often the result of having privilege. Statistics continue to demonstrate that legal, medical and social institutions are often outdated, and even dangerous for trans women of colour. Her words reflect the reality that life is hard, especially for racialized trans women. Gwen Benaway is a “trans girl of Anishnaabe and Métis descent.” We love Gwen because of her fearless approach to sharing the truth about surviving as a trans girl living inside of a racist and colonial system. We have always been very resilient - but our resilience doesn’t mean that our lives are ever “easy.” Of course, trans women find joy and pleasure in our lives and accomplish incredible things. Transformation is possible, similar to the way that a seed breaks through the ground, the goal is liberation. Audre Lorde saw difference as a vehicle for creative change. We see growth as mutual aid, increased compassion and kindness, more organizing and community care. We will succeed because we are in a constant state of growth - something that racialized queer, trans, women face a lot is the constant need to produce to be recognized as valid. When she writes that we are powerful because we have survived, we are reminded that power is created, not given. The multiplicity of her identities is a difficult path to walk Black woman, lesbian, poet, activist, cancer survivor and mother. Like many other racialized queer, trans, women, Audre centred her lived experience in her writing. “We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about- survival and growth.”Īudre Lorde is a Black intersectional feminist that inspires us endlessly. As the quotes below will show you, it’s with all sorts of magnificent prowess that we continue to do so.ġ. When we amplify Black and Indigenous, Queer, Trans, Women voices, we are saying that we believe in your power, your resiliency and your truth.ĭespite all of this, we continue to witness their courage and resilience. It’s not easy but we’re in this together. that may help to ground and energize you through these times. Here are seven of the most inspiring quotes we found from Black and Indigenous, Queer, Trans, Women. We’ve witnessed community collectivity blossom amidst the chaos, and just like how SACHA does, we are here to celebrate us, our communities and the quietly powerful ways we survive.Įxamining statistics, we know that Black and Indigenous, Queer, Trans, Women face sexual violence at horrific proportions, we know that their lives and their deaths are devalued by the media and institutional powers. Many of us are isolated, in poverty, we are survivors and so we remain resilient. The spaces in which we survive seem to grow smaller and further apart as we continue to respond to the Covid 19 pandemic. Celebrating our resiliency during a time of crisis seems almost redundant.
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