Manifestations of systems are systematic, not separate.

A phenomenon that annoys me in the mainstream – and usually liberal – world is where things like slavery and colonialism are seen as over because people do not connect these things to larger systems, such as capitalism, white supremacy and the like.

There are many more other examples, however I do not have them at present. You’re welcome to engage with me anytime about this.

Liberalism’s lies

Liberalism teaches a few lies.

Lies like:

  • Slavery doesn’t exist anymore
  • Multiculturalism is good
  • Colonialism doesn’t exist anymore

These just aren’t  true. Re multiculturalism, I just want to clarify that I’m not talking about recognition or acceptance of multiple cultures. That is not quite what multiculturalism means. At the moment, I’m not sure how to explain multiculturalism though.

More things to leave in 2015

More to leave in 2015:

  • Single issue movements
  • Placement of activists on pedestals
  • Hypocrisy
  • Exotification
  • Desexualization/deromanticization of disabled people
  • Ageism
  • “I have X friends so I can’t be oppressive towards X!” Same for partner(s), coworkers, etc
  • “Canada is inclusive and better than the US!!!!!”
  • Patriarchy
  • Capitalism

Things to leave in 2015

#LeaveItIn2015:

  • Intent mattering more than impact
  • Dehumanization of people
  • Respectability politics
  • Colonization, imperialism, the State
  • Homoantagonism, transantagonism
  • Audism
  • Phonocentrism
  • Ableism
  • Racism and classism
  • Whorephobia
  • Heterosexism
  • Cissexism
  • Islamophobia
  • Sexism
  • Ignorance of oppression
  • Outright refusal to do allying where appropriate/safe and where you are capable of it
  • Isolating marginalized people by action or inaction

About me – Kylie Brooks

Hi, I’m Kylie Brooks. I’m a Black trans woman.

What I do

  • Will be third semester student at Humber College in the Computer Programmer program
  • Program Assistant at Hands ON ASL! from September 2015 to present
  • On the Ace Toronto Collective
  • On the Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf board as accessibility director
  • Online social justice activist dismantling oppression, focusing on anti-black racism, economic oppression under capitalism, transmisogyny, amatonormativity, ableism (especially anti-autistic and anti-nonambulatory ableism) and audism-phonocentrism.

Who I am

  • Hold Computer Programmer diploma from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
  • Aspiring computer programmer. Previous knowledge of Python.
  • Disabled – ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), CP (cerebral palsy), Autism, Deaf
  • Somewhere on the asexual and aromantic spectrums. Romantically attracted mainly to fellow Black Disabled women/nonbinary femmes.
  • Black trans woman
  • Black settler living on stolen Mississauga New Credit land

Wealth is not solely from hard work

Remember: People can’t acquire wealth just because of hard work. Look at working class people, after all.

People get wealth because they’re non-Black and/or non-Indigenous and because they have some or all privileges that aren’t related to class nor race.

This too applies to Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama.

So just to sum up:

  • Working hard and wealth are not necessarily connected.
  • Working hard is not the sole determinant of wealth. Privileges strongly determine wealth.

Contact me

Ways to contact me:

  • E-mail: kylie.marie.brooks@gmail.com
  • Address: Please e-mail me for address
  • Twitter direct message (DM): @queerdykekylie
  • Text: Please e-mail me for my cell phone number. Text only – please do not call as I am unable to take calls.
  • Phone: None. For text, please e-mail me. Text only – please do not call as I am unable to take calls.