OUT ON THE HILL is the official blog of the Victory Congressional Interns. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. Learn more about the internship at victoryinstitute.org/vci.
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“Diversity is about all of us and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.”
Jacqueline Woodson
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June is a special month for me and a host of other people who value diversity and inclusion. This month, we recognize the progress of the LGBTQ+ movement, celebrate the liberation of our Black peers, extend open arms to our immigrant friends, and renew our determination to ending the gun violence epidemic in our country. While the month of June celebrates how far we have come, it also reminds us how far we still need to go.
As I stepped onto my Southwest Airlines flight bound for our Nation’s capital, little did I know that my preconceptions about our community would be turned upside down, and that this transformative 8-week journey would begin with starting over.
Hailing from the bucolic landscapes of rural Texas, I was never exposed to diverse cultures and perspectives beyond my hometown’s borders until I left for college. The vastness of metropolitan cities, the rich tapestry of global cuisines, and the thriving artistic expressions found in cosmopolitan hubs were all foreign to me. In my three years at the University of Texas, I ventured beyond those familiar horizons and expanded my worldview, realizing the vastness of human experiences and the boundless possibilities ahead.
This vastness of human experiences and identities shines in my Victory Congressional Cohort. As 16 unique individuals from across the United States, our experiences transcend race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, physical ability, socioeconomic status, gender identity, and nationality. We disagree on what economic system should govern our country, debate if healthcare should be free, and split ways on what pride—a concept dear to our hearts— means to us. While my prior experiences have fostered a genuine openness towards learning and embracing differences, the intricate task of reconciling our multifaceted identities in a way that fosters a collective sense of belonging, yet leaves room for our own experiences, has been challenging to say the least.
Whether it is taking the longer, accessible route while walking to the metro, unlearning binary language, or making sure no voice gets lost in a crowded marketplace of ideas, the weight of responsibility to promote inclusivity, challenge societal norms, and amplify marginalized voices feels unrelenting. It demands a perpetual state of mindfulness and a relentless commitment to fostering a more equitable and compassionate world. The fatigue that settles within me stems not only from the battles fought, but also from the collective longing for a society where these struggles are no longer necessary.
Practicing inclusion is hard — and it is designed to be like that.
But that doesn’t mean I (or you) shouldn’t make a habit of inclusive practices. As trivial as those examples sounded, they are critical in the quest for inclusion. They show that this quest is an everyday battle that cannot be won in a day, a week, or even a month — it is a journey.
It is a journey of unlearning and relearning. A journey of introspection, empathy, and compassionate dialogue. A journey of dismantling structures and social norms designed to uphold inequality. It is a journey that requires us to confront uncomfortable truths.
But our shared commitment to this journey of inclusion propels us towards a more harmonious coexistence, where unity is forged through the mutual recognition of our shared humanity— leading us to discover the transformative power of embracing our differences and weaving them together into a vibrant, resilient whole.
Inclusion is the only way for us to walk through this world together. When it becomes exhausting—and it will—I will continue to stay the course. And I hope you will too.
