Why a space just for First Nations and other Women of Colour?

Let’s talk about the exclusivity of spaces like we are the mainstream (WATM) that confuses some people.

This year, I attended 4 International Women’s Day events and spoke at 3 of them. At the we are the mainstream event, I was just taking it all in.

Here are 4 things that were apparent:

1.     The attendees spoke their truth.

At WATM, people felt comfortable speaking up about how they were genuinely feeling. What the unspoken, very real, hurdles they were experiencing were. Most importantly, they did not feel the need to say, “I’m sorry but…” Because they were in a space dedicated to them. They were safe. 

2.     The speakers spoke truth to power.

Like I’ve never seen in other spaces! There was no need to be apologetic in speaking their truth, no need to sweeten it, or make it more palatable. This was an auditorium full of people who were open, receiving, listening. 

3.     A platform for community leaders who are not ‘palatable’ for the ‘mainstream’.

we are the mainstream made the effort of finding and connecting grassroots community leaders who are doing amazing work. I didn’t know about so many of these people. And what a shame - I was missing out all these years.

People like Moreblessing Maturure, Sandhya ‘Dusk Devi’ Nand, Wanyika Mshila and Niwa Mburuja, Marlee and Keely Silva and SO many more! I saw them, heard from them, met them, and I was in awe! Where had Australia been hiding these folks?

4.     The connections forged within the community were deep.

 The event brought together a group of people that is seldom catered to. But this is a collective that has huge power! The collaborations that emerged among attendees and speakers, as a result of being brought together in this space, have been beautiful to watch. They continue to unfold MONTHS after the event is over. 

That is the beauty of a community-led event. 

THAT's the importance of spaces dedicated to Black, Indigenous and other Women of Colour. This whole time I had been looking at ‘mainstream’ Australia and feeling like I don’t belong. I looked at this room and realised, Australian mainstream is FAR from what this vast continent actually looks like.

I thought that I was alone, I felt alone, in my fight to create spaces for myself at tables. I always came at it from the perspective of the “poor” outsider who demands her space. Like I was supposed to be grateful when basic respect and dignity were afforded to me. That is how I had been navigating this country.

Listening to unapologetic women, like Nancy Denis, made me question that position. Made me question who was defining my belonging, my worth, whether I was ‘good enough’ to be Australian. I have taken that stance forward in my own work.

I continue to be grateful for my privileges and opportunities, yes. But I decided that I am good enough to belong here and I will let no child of a coloniser tell me otherwise.