enweaved

to form by combining various elements or parts into a connected whole

threads of connection
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our story || your story || belongs

I live on land that was unlawfully and inhumanely taken from numerous Indigenous Nations and/or Tribes through unjust treaties and violent displacement. The history of those Indigenous Nations and/or Tribes predate colonization by thousands of years. The Indigenous Nations and/or Tribes have cared for, and continue to care for, this land for generations –maintaining a deep relationship with the land that I benefit from– often without fully understanding its significance. As someone who owns property on this land, I recognize that my comfort and opportunities are tied to a history of displacement and exploitation. I continue to benefit from systems of colonization that continue to marginalize Indigenous communities. While I reflect on my place in this system, I acknowledge this story is not about me but about amplifying Indigenous voices and working toward justice. I am committed to learning more, listening more, allying with — the voices of those Indigenous People who have been unjustly displaced. It is my hope to educate myself, and others when/where I can, and advocating for policies that seek to restore the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous People, Nations and/or Tribes.
I live in a society that was built on the stolen labor and dehumanization of enslaved African people, whose forced contributions created much of the wealth and infrastructure that I benefit from today. The ramifications of slavery are woven, and continue to be legislatively driven, into the foundations of this nation, shaping systems like housing, education, and wealth distribution that continue to advantage people like me while disadvantaging Black communities. As someone who benefits from this inequity, I recognize that my opportunities are tied to a history of exploitation, violence, and systemic racism that persists in various forms. While I continue to reflect on my privilege and power, I acknowledge this is not about centering my experience but about amplifying Black voices and working toward dismantling systems of oppression. I am committed to supporting initiatives that address racial injustice, advocating for policies that promote equity, and contributing to organizations led by and for Black communities.
I currently reside in Colorado, a state that became part of the United States through the seizure of land from Mexico following the Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. This land, once a part of Mexico and home to generations of Mexican and Indigenous peoples, was claimed and settled in ways that erased their histories and marginalized their communities. As a white person living here, I benefit from systems of land ownership and economic opportunity that were built on the history of displacement and injustice. In current Colorado financial disparities, I am a direct participant of the gentrification that has displaced, and continues to displace, Colorado’s original claimants of such land. The resources, infrastructure, and privileges I access are tied to a white legacy of conquest and exclusion that continues to affect Mexican-American and Indigenous populations today. While I reflect on how I benefit from this history, I recognize the need to center the voices and experiences of those whose ties to this land run deep. I am committed to learning from and supporting the descendants of those displaced, advocating for equity and inclusion, and engaging with organizations that promote justice for marginalized communities.
As a straight male, I live in a society where heteronormativity and patriarchy have historically marginalized and oppressed LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who identify as gay. Systems of privilege have ensured, through unequal legislative measures, that my straightness has been normalized, protected, and celebrated, while others have faced, and continue to face, discrimination, exclusion, and violence. I benefit from these dynamics in ways that often go unnoticed, from legal rights and social acceptance to economic opportunities and representation in media and leadership. While I reflect on how I benefit from this inequity, I acknowledge this is not about centering my experience but about recognizing and challenging the structures that perpetuate harmful exclusion. I am committed to supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy, standing against homophobia, and fostering spaces that celebrate and protect diverse identities and experiences.