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Intersections

I stand here

On the edge of many intersections.
Reckoning.
With pride.
With so much pride in who I am.

By Karen Hewitt (Ze/Hir/She/Her)

●

BIPOC, Community, Culture, Health & Wellness

●

June 23, 2020

I stand here

On the edge of many intersections.

Reckoning.
With pride.
With so much pride in who I am.

All the experiences that have shaped me.
That have hurt me.
Times when I have hurt others and hurt myself.

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I hold weight for generations that I hope to undo.
Of shame and embarrassment and hope.
Hope for a future that is hard to see unfolding.
Hope for a world that has equity and beautiful diversity.
Hope in hopelessness.

Grounding in chaos.

I see us trying to reckon with years of oppression.
Years of race underlying and acting like it doesn’t exist.
Years of pretending not to see what is right in front of us.
Years of pain.

I move forward knowing that change is on the precipice.
It
Is
Right
Here
Asking us to acknowledge it.
Own it.

Accountability.
I’m here for it.
Knowing that if we actually do get it
We can move forward.

We can shift.

It’s actually a choice.
Your choice to stand on the right side of history.
Pushed down.
Pushed out.
Let that push us forward.
Our resilience is still right here.

We are still right here.

And this is where the healing begins.

Author

Karen Hewitt (Ze/Hir/She/Her)

Karen Hewitt is a catalyst for connection, belonging, and transformation. They specialize in Culture and Diversity Strategy, Leadership Development, and Team Building, centering Black and LGBTQ+ wisdom while guiding organizations through meaningful change. Known for their sharp insight and warm, approachable style, Karen helps individuals and organizations navigate complex conversations with heart and strategy. She is a sought-after speaker and facilitator, celebrated for her healing-centered, trauma-informed approach that turns vision into tangible action. In addition to their operations expertise, Karen is a multidisciplinary artist who brings poetry, comedy, and music to sold-out stages and the page, with two published poetry collections and contributions to two groundbreaking anthologies. With a background in mathematics, athletics coaching, workforce development, and educational leadership, Karen integrates her analytical expertise with her passion for people to foster inclusive, affirming, and thriving communities. At the heart of their work is an unwavering commitment to creating spaces where people feel safe, valued, and witnessed.