80% of Black trans and queer youth are depressed, 43% are harassed in schools, and less than 25% report receiving positive messages about their identities in school. While it is important to talk about the harm and violence that Black trans and queer youth face, Dr. Shamari K Reid reminds us that it is dangerous to present their lives solely as tragedies that are characterized by victimhood. We need to invert the narratives around marginalized groups and start to think about them as “people with agency, who have insight, and who know a lot about worldmaking, who know a lot about peace, who know a lot about love, and a lot about joy.”
An Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at NYU Steinhardt, Dr. Reid’s work explores how Black trans and queer youth and their communities sustain themselves amidst the oppression and violence. He studies NYC ballroom culture, a space where Black and Brown queer and trans folk have built a world where they are not just accepted, but affirmed and loved for being themselves.
Dr. Reid asks: What can traditional educators learn from this space? How can they transform schools into sites of equitable opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ youth?
He has recently published two articles - “Using a Queer of Color Critique to work toward a Black LGBTQ+ inclusive K-12 Curriculum” and “Exploring the Agency of Black LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools and in NYC’s Ballroom Culture,” and - in which he “translates” what he has witnessed from ballroom culture and offers guidance for educators on how to make schools more warm and welcoming for Black trans and queer students.
When asked about his definition of peace, Dr. Reid responded, “being able to wake up and go throughout your day in your full authenticity, as your full self and not having any fear about what might not happen to you.” Although this is not true right now in education for young Black queer and trans folk, he hopes that his work will push us all to construct places and spaces that are more peaceful for them.
Watch the event here!