Unsettling America | Decolonization in Theory & Practice

11.2.12

Unsettling America | Decolonization in Theory & Practice

From Redwire

On January 27, I had the privilege of attending a talk given by Jessica Yee. However talk cannot properly describe the event that took place. Jessica Yee challenged the lecture form as she coaxed the attendees from being a passive audience into active participants. The energy in the room was definitely alive. She left no room for dispassion and her strength was infectious, asserting from the beginning that we must “learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable”. She didn’t ask, or bade us into this process gently, Yee commanded it of us and it was assumed we were naturally capable. With these sentiments she set forth exposing us to a series of very uncomfortable and painful truths.

It’s important to note that before she began she acknowledged the land she stood on and that she came as a visitor, as an ally, recognizing that the subject of violence against women in this territory in particular is of the utmost urgency. She paid tribute to the importance of recognizing the efforts of local women working towards their aims. “I bring the spirits of my ancestors here with me” were her words exactly, and she described a time when the Mohawk came to the aid of the people of this territory when they were in need, how she came with this same disposition, upholding the importance of Indigenous people standing in solidarity with one another’s communities.