…on the (political & intersectional) future
I love this photo so much, because you can really feel the joy radiating off her #itsoktohavefeelings
I remember Kim Campbell. If you’re not Canadian, or if you’re born after the ‘80s, you might not.
But I remember when she became prime minister here in Canada for a few months (132 days but who’s counting). I remember because I was 11, and my political ideals were just starting to come forward - she and her party didn’t necessarily represent them (who can forget those horrifying ablest attack ads on Chrétien?), but I remember, vividly, watching her and thinking ok, maybe I can do this too. Maybe I want to. I had high aspirations when I was younger of being a politician (and then a judge, and then a lawyer - all three of these careers centred on my ideals about right, wrong, and the need for social change to create equality #theresatheme) and I credit the fact that I could see myself - as a white, able-bodied woman, but as a woman, nonetheless - up there.
This is why Kamala Harris feels just so big - even as a Canadian. We have never had a woman who was actually elected prime minister in Canada (although I’ll cling to Kim Campbell’s “default” rise thankyouverymuch), and we’ve never had a person of any colour up there either (in fact, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is the first person of colour in Canadian history to EVEN RUN run for prime minister, and that wasn’t until last election #forshame). This weekend felt just a little more hopeful - at least in my little world - because I know, deeply, what it means to see myself in our leaders. Even if it was through the exhale of my own echo-chamber, of those who I already know think and feel like I do.
“We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” - James Baldwin
I mean, it’s not really surprising, is it? Social media - in fact, in life in general - has the ability to allow us to really create insulation. We surround ourselves with the voices of others who either inspire us or sound like us. And in these times of such fierce divide, where it’s felt like human rights and equality have really been “optional” in some circles, it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes for our emotional, spiritual, and psychic protection, we need to safeguard from others who would do harm. (Side note: my mental health and intense care-taking of my dad for the last month necessitated a full break from all social and most media - as well as work (which primarily happens on those same channels). This week represents my tipping my toes back in - but carefully (only short periods) and mindfully (lots and lots of unfollows and mutes). So this eco-chamber, for me, right now? The ultimate in self-care. Required. A literal life-line.) But when the voices of “BUT THE ECONOMY” and “BUT MY RIGHTS” are so loud, it’s still a sweet, soft exhale when the dust settles in the larger lexicon.
Because it’s not about her, but it’s not not about her, either…
Representation matters. Period full stop. It mattered to 11 year old Annika (you’re welcome for that one BTW) and it matters to every single little girl and BPIOC right now. The wellness industry in particular of late (notably here in Canada) has locked into “the myth of American exceptionalism” with it’s own flavour - if you can just control yourself, your body, your thoughts enough, you can rise above whatever your situation because you are special. And yes, there is absolutely some truth at the bottom of this. What we feed our brains, with our thoughts has a direct correlation to our reality, just like what we feed our bodies. But too often, lately, it feels like that is taken to a place where it erases the very real lived experience of marginalized communities (or, the very real lived experience of me in my body right now, when “doing all the right things” just isn’t enough), and it takes us (“anyone with privilege”) out of the work that is required to truly make change happen for all. #spiritualbypassing
“When they enter, we all enter”
So it matters when we see people of all kinds rise - and oh if you’re tapping in right now, it really feels like just the start, doesn’t it? The symbolism of powerful women rising into a new kind of leadership - women that don’t have to play by the same old tired playbook and be bigger badder meaner to get aka Margaret Thatcher and other conservative leaders #kimcampbell (thank you #drbonniehenry) - gives us a concrete and practical place to launch from. Gives us the tangible experience say yes - we can really see that the divine feminine is rising, and it can be the rallying cry to raise the army that is needed to really do so.
Because in the sweet and powerful words of Kimberle Crenshaw:
Where “this activity” is leadership at the highest levels, and in our communities - where “this activity” is everything.
