​white people are the invasive species














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​with us, we have brought other invasive organisms, detrimental to our habitats and the habitats of others- exemplified by the english ivy that blankets this city and its outdoor spaces.














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​we have created this space for it to grow; our road systems & structures as a trellis- 














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​but we know it is not the fault of the flora.







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​the fault is ours.

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in this, the James River, an immeasurable amount of human trauma has been experienced-

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​generationally inherited and felt through coursing of its waters, never ending, overflowing.

​it is irrelevant that my family immigrated here after the legally sanctioned sale of enslaved people had legally ended.
















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In the very legislature that banned the involuntary servitude of any person, an exception is made to continue it.














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this type of enslavement continues to build our infrastructures. ​










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​every moment of every day, I reap the many benefits of my skin and the things it affords me; the benefits of the systems built by others, but designed for white people's benefit.

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​these systems include the concept of "whiteness"; created to separate "us"
from
​"them"



















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​sit with this.
let it choke you, drown you, drag you,  swallow you whole. 
let it infect you, effect you, and grow.





















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the work to change these systems must be done by us.
















it is time to be uncomfortable.







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onward