Serena Di Benedetto

Reading Note #2
Colonialism Still Affects How Black and Indigenous People See Gender
Jendayi Omowale
The key concept of this reading is how the history of colonialism still has an effect on how black
and indigenous people see gender and how not only it affects them but others around them.
 Explains how many people in the LGBTQ community felt robbed of the freedom of what
gender identity requires because of historical and recent white supremacy.
 It was told that some people in indigenous communities were taught that practicing their
ceremonies or any traditional practices was to stray from a Christian or Catholic God and
was considered demonic because of these elders’ beliefs and being victims of earlier
settler colonialism.
 Through all of these, many African Americans question “Am I the creation of colonizers
or the continuation of my ancestors” because colonialism is still a big part of today’s
problems along with ongoing racism, sexism, and discrimination.
 Near the end of the article we read that due to these implications it means that queer
individuals are denied equality before the law and opportunities to lead fulfilling, healthy,
and dignified lives.
 After reading this article I feel as though no matter what we do to help colonized
generations, the history of how gender is viewed will always come down to how people
are brought up because that is what they were taught growing up so how would we
change years of gender beliefs for the beliefs of gender today.

Issues/Questions:
1. What effects do how people today view gender have on the older generation?

2. What can people do day to day to continue to help the stereotype that there are only two
genders and inform others of these new identities?