A letter from Mixed Faces Wild Spaces Founder, Kenjah O'Donnell:
What do we mean when we say "intersectional experiences"?
Greetings and welcome,
First, I want to thank you, whomever you are, for taking the time to read this letter. For me, this is an incredibly personal question, which, I believe deserves an incredibly personal response.
The short and sweet reason behind my decision as the founder of Mixed Faces Wild Spaces to center folks of intersectional experiences is because I believe everyone needs a space where we can bring all of ourselves to the table without fear, where we feel free enough to be our whole authentic selves; where we can belong.
The more detailed explanation is that, as a multiracial, trans non binary person of neurodivergent experience, I have had the unfortunate life experience of being distanced from accessing spaces of belonging for as long as I can remember. For most of my life I have searched for that space of belonging for all parts of who I am, only to be met with at best partial acceptance, and at worst, active harm and discrimination.
And so, when I finally had the time, space, support, and stability to process some of my life experiences, I found myself turning to Nature for guidance on my healing journey. As I leaned more heavily into my relationship with our natural world, I was reminded of how Nature holds space of belonging for all beings, since we are all a part of Nature.
Guided by this reminder, I came to a resounding truth; while every single being has a right to access a relationship with nature, not all of us have the ability to do so because of these compounding forces of oppression and inequality.
Guided by this reminder, I came to a resounding truth; while every single being has a right to access a relationship with nature, not all of us have the ability to do so because of these compounding forces of oppression and inequality.
And so, Mixed Faces Wild Spaces was born into this world as my most daring attempt at creating a space where people like me, who exist within multiple systems of inequality and oppression, can bring all of ourselves to the table without fear, where we feel free enough to be our whole authentic selves…where we belong.
Thank you for reading my letter, and wishing you a gentle rest of your day.
Peaceful Intentions,
Kenjah O’Donnell (they/them) , Founder of Mixed Faces Wild Spaces
