Positionality Statement

 I grew up and was educated on Monongahela, Shawnee, and Susquehannock land—what we call western Pennsylvania. My family and ancestors are white European settlers who first arrived at Wampanoag land on the Mayflower, and more recently from Ukraine. I currently live and work on Occaneechi, Shakori, and Tuscarora land—what we call Durham, North Carolina. 

Some of the identities I hold that are privileged include race, first language, citizenship, and education level. Some of the identities I hold that are marginalized include gender, gender assignment, sexuality, and neurotype. Some of my identities don’t fit neatly into privilege or marginalization, and my experience of those identities is dynamic and depends on context. 

I am a trauma therapist and social worker. I have also been a language educator, nonprofit program coordinator, and musician. I am a parent, partner, sibling, and descendent. My worldview is informed by decolonialism, dialectics, abolition, and other anti-oppression frameworks.