TED Talks Daily Scenes from a Black trans life | D-L Stewart
Jul 2, 2020
D-L Stewart is a transgender Black scholar and activist sharing profound scenes from his life. He reflects on the unique challenges Black trans individuals face, intertwining racism and transphobia. Stewart emphasizes the importance of body sovereignty in asserting identity and advocates for the recognition of Black trans lives as essential to societal progress. He also discusses the historical struggles and invisibility of Black trans experiences, calling for solidarity and liberation for all marginalized identities.
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Neutral Gender Presentation
- D-L Stewart's therapist marked their gender presentation as "neutral" on a form.
- This was despite D-L Stewart dressing in traditionally masculine clothing, highlighting how Black women's bodies are often perceived as genderless.
Black Bodies in White Imagination
- Black bodies and genders are trapped in the white imagination, impacting their perceived reality.
- From historical stereotypes to modern perceptions, these bodies are dehumanized and deemed a social threat.
Diminished Black Manhood
- Black manhood is often diminished or made into a spectacle for profit or amusement.
- This is seen in the ways Black men are treated in sports, entertainment, and historically through slavery.