Thank you for being here. Greetings Everyone, I want to take a moment to reflect on a recent IG exchange I had with someone who follows my page. This isn’t about calling out any individual but rather shedding light on a troubling pattern I’ve noticed, as I frequently encounter variations of this kind of request. Image Description: "A screenshot capturing a comment on my IG post along with the subsequent responses. jeffrey_krisanda_dpt: Hey, can you point me in the right direction for material or information so I can read up on this? decolonizing_fitness: You can become a free member of my Patreon where I share resources on this. It’s taken me years to dig into some of this stuff. decolonizing_fitness: In other words my work is the “right direction” jeffrey_krisanda_dpt: i can’t afford any more subscriptions. Can you point me in the right direction of where you started to look so I can do my own research? *Not captured on the screenshot*: survivorledmovement: @jeffrey_krisanda_dpt check again - you can join the Patreon for FREE, which is extremely generous” |
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- While this request seems well intentioned. The overall framing of it underscores a common dynamic where the labor and expertise of Black trans educators is deeply undervalued, even when we make extraordinary efforts to provide accessible resources. The IG post itself sparked this person’s curiosity and encouraged them to explore concepts they may not have considered before.
- Even when I guide others to my subscription-based platform, offering a free tier designed to provide insightful content and comprehensive knowledge. My work often feels dismissed as insufficient and framed as being out of reach financially. Instead of recognizing the intellectual labor of Black trans people as a valuable starting point, there’s a push to bypass our expertise, reinforcing a cycle where our contributions are overlooked or deemed secondary to self-guided learning.
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- The request also reflects how Black trans educator's work is often perceived, as something that can be boiled down to reading a few articles, disregarding the depth of our personal experiences and the perspectives shaped by them. You can't "PubMed" your way to the insights and conclusions I reach through the unique lens of my lived reality and understanding. I also don’t owe you a free cheat sheet, as that still demands my time and effort, the entitlement behind that ask is astounding.
- There is a deeply ingrained layer of anti-Blackness and dismissal of the contributions of Black trans people in reshaping industries like fitness. We are often the ones introducing ideas and re-shifting paradigms, yet the impact of our labor isn’t valued enough for people to even consistently engage with the work let alone financially sustain it.
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Enduring these types of interactions over the years have been really frustrating and hurtful. If we seek to dismantle oppressive institutions, we must challenge these dynamics by actively recognizing and respecting the work of Black trans educators, not as optional or secondary, but as vital and deserving of both engagement and tangible support. Let this be a call to action: reflect on how you engage with and uplift the work of those most impacted in your industry. Recognize that the knowledge shared by Black trans people is not only valuable but transformative. Commit to supporting this labor, whether through financial contributions, amplifying our platforms, or simply acknowledging the depth and impact of our offerings. True change starts with accountability, and accountability starts with all of us. You can find a link to last week’s resources here |
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Thanks to: Jessica, Leo, Emily, Avi, and Crystal for becoming paid sustainers in the Patreon Community! Please consider sharing this newsletter with a loved one, friend or colleague who you feel may benefit from this work. In Warmest Solidarity, Ilya |
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Springs Court
Charlotte, NC 28216, United States |
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