THE
BLACK/TRANS/
QUEER REACH
We will be close to each other....
Even when I've been taught to hurt you, and you me,
To feel my own scarce freedom when you get more free
To see each other as less than human....
We will fight for each other, and we will be close.
Cisgender Black people and trans and queer white people have been socialized to want each other dead and feel like their own liberation is threatened by each other. It is an act of revolution for us to commit to being close to each other, and an act of revolution for others to seek to be close to all of us and fight for our liberation. Our reach for each other across such difficult trauma stories is a model for other people fighting for these reaches of closeness amidst differences in privilege and oppression.
We offer two different Deep Dives on this topic:
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Reaching for Blackness for white trans and gender diverse people
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Reaching for Blackness and Transness for cisgender white people
We also offer a 1-on-1 Duet phone program with Aaron and Dylan for people of all races and genders that want to explore this critical topic.
What to Expect
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Deep connection and relating to people across identities about oppression and liberation
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Self-inquiry and witnessing others in deep inquiry
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Being physical and in close proximity with others (consent-based; no intensive exercise, at max we will be doing light yoga stretches that will be made accessible for everyone in the room)
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Expanding your ability to sit with discomfort
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Using your voice in various ways to express and discharge emotions
We will explore the questions:
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What might trigger a cis Black man when interacting with a trans white person?
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What might trigger a trans white person when interacting with a cis Black man?
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How can we hold each of these humans gently as they fight to be close? How can we track their trauma stories?
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How have we been pitted to divide and separate different groups of people, to favor one groups’ wellness over the other?
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How does that play out in real time, in our bodies and hearts, when conflict or distress comes up?
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How can we reach for each other across these critical lines, across our own trauma stories, and fight for each other’s liberation?
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How can we fight for our shared family, Black trans and queer people?
What Is Our Approach?
We have found that starting on a human level is a vital way to effectively build bonds that will last a lifetime in this work.
Our approach in these workshops combines deep questions and witnessing with embodiment and trauma-honoring practices. We do not believe that shame and blame are effective strategies. Connection is at the core of everything that we do.
One of the foundational blocks of Holistic Resistance is that we recognize that oppression affects People of Color (People of the Global Majority) on all levels of life. So we are drawn to practices that support all levels of life.
We are committed to making our sessions accessible, trauma-informed, and effective for everyone in the room.
We invite white people to exercise resilience
and find the edge of themselves as they take on this new approach.
to schedule a workshop or program.
