Pocket of Faith is a monthly newsletter directly geared towards the intersection of LGBTQ+ human rights and faith. We are proud to showcase this important subject, revealing that faith, religion, and LGBTQ+ rights co-exist in harmony and not in opposition.
Written by Jai Davis (they/them), faith organizer for Georgia Equality
The Grief of the Election: Embracing the Uncertainty to Foster Authenticity
As the dust settles on another election, a profound sense of grief permeates our collective consciousness. This grief is not solely rooted in the outcomes or political shifts but in the deep, existential reckoning it brings to our personal and communal identities. Elections, by their nature, force us to confront the dichotomies of our society—us versus them, progress versus regression, hope versus despair. In navigating these polarities, we are often reminded of the rigid binaries that structure our lives.
One of my favorite quotes by Gloria Anzaldúa encapsulates this beautifully: “I must forsake ‘home’ comfort zones, both personal and cultural every day of my life to keep burgeoning into the tree of myself.” Anzaldúa’s words resonate deeply, especially in times of political turmoil. They speak to the necessity of breaking away from the binaries that constrain us, urging us to forsake the comfort zones that define our perceived sense of ‘home.’ This forsaking is not a rejection of our roots but a conscious, daily act of expanding beyond them to cultivate our most authentic selves.
Anzaldúa’s insight is particularly poignant for those of us living beyond the binary. The election cycle, with its divisive rhetoric and stark choices, can feel like an affront to our existence. We are asked to fit into predefined categories that often fail to capture the complexities of our identities. For queer, trans, and nonbinary individuals, this period can be especially fraught, as our very lives become political fodder, debated and dissected on public stages. The grief we feel is not just about political loss but about the erasure and invalidation of our lived experiences.
However, this grief also holds a powerful potential for growth. Forsaking the comfort zones Anzaldúa describes involves embracing the uncertainty and discomfort that come with stepping outside societal norms. It means rejecting the binaries that seek to define us and instead, nurturing the diverse and fluid nature of our identities. This process is painful and requires constant vigilance, but it is through this struggle that we burgeon into the fullest expression of ourselves.
In the wake of the election, as we process our collective grief, we are called to reflect on the binaries that have been reinforced and the comfort zones we have been asked to retreat to. Yet, we must resist this retreat. We must, as Anzaldúa urges, forsake these zones to continue our journey of self-discovery and authenticity. This is not a path we walk alone. It is a communal effort, one that requires solidarity and support as we navigate the complexities of our identities in a world that often seeks to simplify and categorize us.
In this moment of grief, let us find strength in Anzaldúa’s words and the wisdom they impart. Let us commit to forsaking the comfort zones that limit us, embracing the discomfort and uncertainty that come with living beyond the binary. Through this process, we can transform our grief into a catalyst for growth, fostering a society that celebrates the rich tapestry of human existence in all its diverse and authentic forms.
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