"Security, to us, means having the upper hand in an unsafe situation. Security, to many, means having access to the violent means that the state uses to defend itself, the police, the national guard, the private security forces that companies use to protect their wealth. For those of us, black, queer, young, radical, and grassroots, who are not often seen as part of the state’s project to reproduce itself (except when we are targeted as consumers) those sources of security are not dependable. As far as we can tell security comes from weapons. And only works if you got more, faster, bigger weapons than whoever makes you insecure. Maybe we could achieve security if our mobile home was a fortress, if we attached an alarm system with missiles, or a system that sent an electroshock through anyone who touched it. None of these things, however would make us safe. And methods like that would surely make the more low-tech partner on the trip, likely to be the first to trip the booby trap, and our comrades less safe.
We acknowledge that in a world where violence against queer and gender queer young people of color is common, security is not a light matter. We have also decided, however, that security is not enough. Our intention is for our journey to be SAFE.
Safety, to us, means being able to be comfortable in our skin, having the freedom to move, being able to sleep restfully and wake renewed and excited about the journey. Safety comes from knowing that we are held by a community that has our backs. Safety comes from knowing that all along the road there are home-spaces with comrades who will welcome us and who will answer if we call on them. Safety comes from relationships and people."
Safety: An Abolitionist Vision, at Mobile Homecoming. read read read the whole thing.
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