Transgender rights and the larger battle for Black emancipation intersect in the never-ending struggle for freedom and justice, and this intersection cannot be disregarded.
This point necessitates an raw, uncooked analysis of the relationship between our basic rights and political representation. Resolute action is needed in the battle for transgender rights, which is intricately connected to the larger Black liberation movement. Black History Month serves as a sobering reminder that we all deserve the right to live in health and integrity, not just for identification.
The intensity of our life cannot be disputed in the face of an onslaught of more than 500 anti-LGBT+ bills in 2023, with 84 becoming legislation. In fact, more than 400 anti-LGBT+ bills have already been introduced this year alone, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). And the year has only gone two whole months.
The threat we face is emphasized by the Department of Homeland Security’s admission of increased crime, mainly against trans women and girls of color. Whether or not these bills are passed, they continue to perpetuate harsh narratives that encourage discrimination and cause immeasurable harm to our community.
Social change emerges as a corporate essential rather than as an act of symbolism. The fact that Vanessa Joy, a transgender state House candidate from my home state of Ohio, was disqualified for failing to use her real name on the application because there was nowhere to put it, shows the need for various voices in positions of authority.
The battle for trans rights is inextricably linked to the larger Black liberation movement. We demolish oppressive systems that are ingrained in the healthcare, housing, employment, and criminal justice systems by placing more people from disinvested communities in decision-making roles.
Our lives are in danger, and this is not a call to action for symbolic movements. We are being denied our fundamental human rights. The necessity of our political representation turns into a bulwark of resistance against those who want to obliterate or isolate us. Our integrative experiences demand policies that deliberately dismantle discriminatory structures and offer priceless insights into the underlying causes of inequality.
Be aware that when one generally underrepresented community gains strength, it affects other communities’ opportunities. One community’s doors being opened has a ripple effect, bringing freedom and representation to all. This interconnectivity emphasizes that any group’s liberation serves as the oppressors’ middle finger.
By electing Black trans officials, we purposefully overthrow harsh structures and bring about a ripple effect of positive shift that benefits society as a whole.
A tactical move to address systems that disproportionately harm our community is to elect Black transgender people to political office. It’s time to establish a democratic environment where our voices are constantly sought out in order to develop solutions.
The right wing’s attempts to exterminate Black and transgender people through repression and book bans highlight the necessity of our involvement in influencing legislation. Considering that, this time it. Just white, cisgender, powerful youth are important to the right wing. They don’t want us to be successful. Books about LGBTQ+ people are prohibited. Textbooks that encourage self-love among Black children are forbidden.
Imagine a social environment where policies that boost and enable our communities are created with an in-depth understanding of the struggles faced by Black transgender people. This perception is not a far-off desire; rather, it is an actual reality that we can realize through unwavering political activism.
Understand that our fight is shared in the face of anti-trans legislation. By electing Black transgender people to political office, we are strategically challenging oppressive systems and demonstrating that we won’t accept discriminatory policies as passive victims. This is how the state is made to function for all.
Our paths to a future where justice knows no bounds are liberating ourselves from persecution, reshaping the narrative, and utilizing social power. This is a call for action, not just knowledge, based on the unwavering conviction that political representation can lead to liberation.
The continuous struggle for humanity and basic civil rights is powerfully illustrated by the intersection of racial and gender identity. In order to properly challenge the very systems that disproportionately harm our society, it is now imperative to push Black transgender people into political office.
