When I created the Black trans flag in August 2015, it was to center the experiences of all Black trans people for #BlackTransLiberationTuesday, a national day of action by a network of Black trans organizers in response to the murders of Black trans women and folks. (thread)
Since then, often when I and others post it, white and non-Black folks invade our mentions discussing how this invalidates or erases the nonbinary experience. But why must a white stripe is represent the most expansive gender experiences when Black certainly can as well.
Blackness to me is inherently gender nonconforming largely because we will never fit into binary white supremacist notions of manhood and womanhood.
I hold close the critiques of my Black nonbinary and gender-expansive siblings if you feel erased by this flag. Just know you were always in my mind, heart, and politics in the creation of it. I'm always open to hearing more about doing better at honoring our whole fam.
I will not, however, entertain the critiques of white and non-Black people (regardless of your identity) on this. It was not made for you and your need to center yourself even when the conversation is about the Black experience is an element of white supremacy and anti-Blackness.
Please work on that and as always #BlackTransLivesMatter . Every. Single. One. Of. Them. #TransAwarenessWeek
You can follow @RaquelWillis_.
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