“How We Are with Each Other”: Conversations on Queer Healing and Black Liberation

Abstract

Charlene has worked as a local and national organization builder, organizational development facilitator, and movement infrastructure builder. Qui has worked as a healing justice practitioner, community accountability process facilitator, as well as a transformative justice practice educator and trainer. Both of our work centers a Black queer feminist lens grounded in abolition praxis. Together we sat down to reflect on how we are with each other as comrades working in movements for Black liberation; and the lessons we've learned doing that work over the past fifteen years.To say the past year has left us with lots to consider about how we are with each other would be an understatement. We are left with more questions than answers, but we also were left with new opportunities to recommit to ourselves and each other. What can a year of isolation teach us about building trust, honoring our boundaries, and prioritizing a culture of care? Where do we still have a lot to learn? And how can we figure that out together? We hope this conversation inspires you to break bread, think deeply, and share honestly with your comrades and communities. We've learned these moments together are a sacred and necessary part of dreaming the world we want to see into existence.