Before a protest washed over RVA, VCU students and locals gathered at the college’s compass for a post election dialogue for healing and mourning.
Before a protest washed over RVA, VCU students and locals gathered at the college’s compass for a post election dialogue for healing and mourning.
Recoiling from the election results, this group of about 200 made up of mostly People of Color, queer/trans folks, and White allies allowed time and space for people to share stories and feelings about this election.
“This election has shown that White middle class men and women who encompass these White supremacist ideals that were prodded upon us years ago, are still in power to elect someone who identifies with those ideals,” said Nardos Iyob, a VCU student.
Organizer Maheen Shahid, created the flyer and planned its distribution through direct messages after waking up to the election results.
“I wanted people to grieve. I wanted people to come together and I wanted them to heal from this traumatic experience,” she said. “Community is another healing tool that I strongly believe in. I wanted people to find their community and I want them to create plans to grow together. I don’t want this momentum to die off. If you were out on that night, it means you care — so I want to see you continuing this work.”
Those who spoke shared personal stories about surviving sexual assault, feelings fear for undocumented people and family members, and their overall safety in the coming years.
Happening at the same time as a “Fuck Trump Protest” which attracted hundreds people, this event allowed for a more intimate and vulnerable conversations to take place and for folks to connect with one another.
“Events such as these allow platforms for those to speak their concerns, fears and issues in a place where they know they will be loved and supported,” said Daniel Diasgrandos, an art student at VCU. “We speak to each other as a form of catharsis; to not necessarily just speak, but to be present in the face of others speaking and just as important, listening.”
The event ended on this note from Shahid:
“In the words of the revolutionary Assata Shakur, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom…We must love and protect each other.” And I can think of no other radical act than coming together and processing our emotions together, so that tomorrow, when we wake up, our bodies feel lighter, our hearts feel less heavy, and our minds are full of ideas of how to better the communities in which we already occupy. Make America Great. Period. The only way we can do that if we care for one another.”
