Understanding the Knife’s Anatomy
A knife is a complex and multifaceted tool, with its own unique anatomy and capabilities. From the handle that we grasp, to the blade that does the cutting, every part of a knife plays a crucial role in how it performs. The edge is where the real magic happens, allowing us to slice, chop, and dice with precision. And the point – well, that’s where we can really make an impact, whether it’s piercing through tough materials or reaching into tight spaces.
But a knife is more than just its physical parts. It’s also a metaphor, a symbol of power, and a representation of our own capacity for transformation. Just as a knife can be honed and sharpened, we too can sharpen our skills, our focus, and our ability to make an impact in the world.
As researchers, clinicians, activists, and non-profit or public sector workers, we wield our own unique “knives” – the tools and resources we use to create change and effect meaningful impact. And just like a physical knife, the way we approach and maintain these tools can make all the difference in their performance and longevity.
Hardness, Softness, and the Resilient Edge
One of the key considerations when it comes to knife care is finding the right balance between hardness and softness. A blade that’s too hard can be prone to chipping and breaking, while one that’s too soft won’t hold an edge. It’s all about that Resilient Edge of Resistance – the sweet spot where the blade is strong enough to tackle the task at hand, but flexible enough to avoid shattering under pressure.
This principle applies not just to the physical knife, but to the way we wield our own power and influence. Are we too rigid, unwilling to bend and adapt to the changing needs of the situation? Or are we too soft, collapsing under the weight of our responsibilities and the demands placed upon us? Finding that resilient edge – that perfect balance of hardness and softness – is crucial for effectively driving the changes we seek.
Wielding Our Power with Intentionality
As we navigate the complex terrain of LGBTQ health, our power takes on many forms. There’s the formal power that comes with our titles and positions, as well as the informal power rooted in our identities, relationships, and lived experiences. And then there’s the delicate dance of power-over, power-under, power-with, and power-within – the different ways we can choose to wield our influence.
The key is to approach this power with intentionality, understanding the nuances and potential consequences of each approach. When do we need to assert our authority, and when is it better to step back and empower others? How can we leverage our unearned privileges to create more equitable systems, while also acknowledging and addressing the harm that those privileges have caused?
These are the kinds of questions that can sharpen our knife skills, helping us cut through the complexities of institutional change with greater precision and impact.
Honoring Our Grief, Fueling Our Passion
The work we do in LGBTQ health is deeply personal, fueled by our grief, our love, and our unwavering commitment to creating a better world. Whose names do we speak aloud as a reminder of why we do this work? Whose memories haunt us, and whose legacies inspire us to keep fighting?
It’s easy to get caught up in the metrics and bureaucracies of our respective organizations, to lose sight of the human beings at the heart of our efforts. But when we allow ourselves to feel the weight of our grief, to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, we tap into a wellspring of power and passion that can fuel our work in profound and transformative ways.
Cultivating Ferocious Care
At the core of our work must be a ferocious care – a deep, uncompromising love for our communities that drives us to take bold, courageous action. As queer femme scholar Hannah McGregor writes, “Softness can also be a way out when we use it to elide the responsibilities that come along with the unearned power our privilege affords.”
In other words, we can’t afford to be too soft, to hide behind the veneer of professionalism or the false comfort of neutrality. The stakes are too high, the harms too grave. We must be willing to wield our power like a knife – precisely, decisively, and with a steadfast commitment to the liberation and flourishing of all LGBTQ people.
Breaking Free from the Institution’s Logic
But as we sharpen our knives and prepare for battle, we must also be vigilant against the institution’s attempts to blunt our edges, to confiscate our weapons, or to lure us into trading our power for something more “palatable.”
As the experts at Herman Knives know, maintaining the integrity of our cutting edges is crucial. We can’t afford to let the institution’s “rewards” and “promises of happiness” distract us from our true purpose. Instead, we must be willing to cause unhappiness, to shatter the pieces, and to rebuild the world from the shattered fragments – even when it means going against the institution’s interests.
Imagining Boundless Possibilities
Our work is not about making the system better; it’s about imagining entirely new systems that center the needs, the dignity, and the flourishing of our communities. As abolitionist educator Mariame Kaba reminds us, we must start from the question “What can we imagine for ourselves and the world?” rather than settling for the limited options presented to us.
This means expanding our horizons, refusing to be constrained by the institution’s narrow definitions of what is possible. It means tapping into our boundless desires, our overflowing dreams, and our fierce love for one another. It means wielding our knives with a ferocious care that cuts through the bullshit and clears the way for a future that is more just, more equitable, and more joyful.
So let us sharpen our blades, strengthen our spines, and wield our power with intentionality. For the stakes are high, and the time for transformation is now.
