KNOWING YOUR COMMUNITY UNEARTHING YOUR ROOTS

Knowing where we came from helps bridge the gulf that divides our past from our future.

Each of us is a piece of a larger puzzle. We are all born into the unique and complex network of individuals, settings, and circumstances that constitute our heritage. Whether or not you are aware of your community’s origin, the cultural history of our people, or the trials faced by those that came before, these forces have had a hand in shaping our values. Knowing our history and reflecting often upon our own personal history as it relates to your community empowers you to look at your life in a larger historical context and to understand that you are a vital part of an ongoing drama greater than yourself.  

Researching the actions of that came before can prepare us to meet the future. The historical traits of those that came before can give us insight into how our characters have developed and the beliefs that form the foundation of our worldview. The knowledge gained can help you appreciate our values and character, giving us the confidence to be more expressive where both are concerned. At a cellular level, you carry a genetic code from your family determining things like how you age, your blood type, and personality traits. But as a queer being you bring in what you chose to do with that genetic coding, your free will. Unearthing your community’s heritage is not simply about uncovering who did what when or reconnecting with elders. Rather, it is a method of building self-awareness and bridging the gulf that divides our past from our future.