Hello everyone, my name is Ariel! I’m a senior majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies, and I am so excited to be working with LGBT Detroit this summer. I was initially attracted to doing community work in Detroit because it allowed me to gain a more authentic, intimate connection with the city and its culture. I am originally from New Jersey, so I have very limited prior knowledge of the city. The perspectives I have heard about Detroit are typically negative and, in many ways, carry anti-black undertones. I am deeply passionate about working, in particular, with black and brown communities, so Detroit seemed like an ideal place to begin as a community ally. However, it is important to define what “community” means from an introspective level. I think that it can embody many different forms to best fit the context in one sense: a location, a home, a feeling, a group of people, or many of these facets at once. For me, community connotes a sense of belonging and feeling seen; it can transcend distance barriers as regardless of one’s proximity to their community, it can always function as a safe space.
One pivotal strength that I have which may assist in my journey with LGBT Detroit is my own experience as a black queer person who knows what it feels like to lack a community. Having that experience of isolation heavily guides how I try to hold space for others, especially those with marginalized identities. However, I would love to develop my confidence in taking a more active role, particularly in voicing my ideas when applicable. By the end of this summer, I would be very proud of myself if I were to pitch content ideas that the organization decided to use, film and appear in some promotional videos, and make genuine connections with people in the community!
