One of the big reasons Nu wanted to come with me to work was because there was a drag show in town.
One of the cute things that happened when we went to Admitted-Students' Day last week, was that we bumped into Nu's kindergarten bestie KM. Nu and KM might share a floor as college first-years! Anyway, Nu and KM made plans to hang out at the drag show this evening, and I even got to take them to the bookstore for soup and a sandwich before the show.
Nu liked being in class this morning where one of the things we talked about was why drag freaks powerful people out so much. (Ans. Because it transgresses what society tells us is possible. If we start imagining other possibilities, where will we stop? What if we imagine our way to better healthcare or out of tyranny?)
Anyway, the show was brilliant. And the student organization that organized the show and generously invited us was also absolutely brilliant. The queens are an ensemble out of Detroit, but the DJ is a (Fulbright short-listed) student and it was fun to see them behind a computer as I would in class, just doing very different stuff. The students seemed to have thought of EVERYTHING--on our table were sparkly beads, fun mocktails with umbrellas and crazy straws, zany club glasses, and EVEN cash for us to give to the dancers!
At the end of the night, one of the queens--Jewel Jubilee--said how it was a tough time to be visibly queer in this country, but that as she looked across the young faces in the room she felt strong and that by standing up for each other, we'll all make it through. That's the only time I cried yesterday.
Pic: Two shots of brilliance.
12 comments:
So much positivity here- "we'll all make it through." Sounds like a very joyful celebration!
Nice.
I'm glad the show was bolstering. We all need things like that.
When we were at Admitted Students Day at St. Mary's, we found out North's elementary school bestie was there, too, and I started thinking how nice it would be if they both went there and rekindled their friendship-- I was very fond of her. But they both went elsewhere.
I saw this group last year and they were amazing! They also all have super fun Instagrams if you’d like to follow.🩷
SASHAYYYYY!
Maya, remember my aunt (not one of the aunties) who was a nurse on the AIDS floor in the 80s? From that job came lots of friendships with super fabulous men, and one of those was the Queen of Queen City for like an entire decade. (Queen City is Regina). I'm friends with him on FB and he's still got all his amazing outfits from that time.
Special birthday message for you, Jenny :)
Thanks!
Steph, this sweet memory made me chuckle a bit... It seems like we're always dreaming our kids' lives even when it's something relatively small...
I didn't get the group's name, Claire! I found the MC (Jewel) on FB to follow, though. If ACUB invites me next year, I'd be delighted to go again.
Nicole--That aunt is a hero!! (I never mixed her up with the twins.) I love the beginning of this story and where it is now! XOXO
I LOVE THIS POST. It says so many things. And it frames the issue of Othering perfectly. They--and you know who I mean--really are all about Control, aren't they? It's all so sick.
Your last paragraph--wow.
The denial of education so they can control the populace is especially devious.
But as for the queens--everyone felt so happy in their presence because they seemed to be having a good time themselves... Give the people what they want, dammit.
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