Throughout the past week, a lot has changed. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and as the days have continued, I am feeling exhausted. Exhausted that we are moving backwards, but not surprised that these are the ways in which events are playing out. Because America has always been a country built on white supremacy. America will always be a country that will continuously neglect those who do not fit the “mold of America”. This country will continue to hate and never accept differences and one’s expression of those differences. This country will continue to try and control and brutalize us. And when I think about those who are most at risk, I think of Black trans folks. I think about how important it is for us all to have communities right now, support systems, and I think back to the the ways in which non-profit organizations play a role in how the communities they serve are being affected by everything that is going on in this country at the moment.
Here, I think about Emanuel Xavier’s poem titled “Urban Affection” where he discusses the ways in which America has remained the same in so many ways and how America will always be afraid of those who are different from White men. This poem, a form of art in itself, makes me think about the importance of advocacy, organizing, coalition building – especially as the work that I am involved with at WHEDco consists of all 3. Here, I reflect on how exhausted I was last week.
I think that a large part of the exhaustion relates to the work that non-profit organizations are continuously doing in their communities. Tasks are constantly added to the staff’s agendas and lists that it’s overwhelming. And as the past few days have passed by, it’s also made me reflect on how exhausting it must be to continuously try to make the communities you serve into communities that the people want – all while an entire country is moving backwards. How is the work that we do and other non-profit organizations even going to remotely assist our communities when our communities are continuously being brutalized because of this country’s history of hate?
This past week, I worked on a list of reproductive resources that may be helpful in our organization. I attended a protest in Union Square and as I walked, as I screamed out chants, all while being drenched in my own sweat – I kept thinking how this couldn’t be real. Again, I wasn’t shocked, but I was hoping it was all a dream. But in that moment, I realized how important it was to continue organizing and continuing the revolution because this cannot continue & it will not continue.
The past week has been full of reflection, reflection about my role, the importance of community, and even the intentions of an organization.Through thinking about the roles that non-profit organizations play despite their intentions are good, it’s also important to consider that these organizations may at times limit the work that they are doing because of donors, sponsors, and grants – all at the expense of the community. All at the same time, these non-profit organizations are putting the lives of the community members on a silver platter and practically begging donors to consider their organization as one that deserves their money. And yet, there are ways in which money is being distributed throughout the country into more policing or other things that is not in the best interest of people and does not benefit communities.
Despite everything that is occurring, I believe in the power of the people. I believe that through consistent marching and boycotting we’ll be able to transform this country into one that reflects the people and changes the attitudes of the people. Perhaps I’m dreaming big, perhaps this isn’t possible to attain at all. But perhaps it is possible.
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