Ananda’s Oral History

Description

Ananda is a gender nonconforming Black person who was 22 at the time of recording. They discusses extensively growing up in Philadelphia being homeschooled and unschooled off and on all the way up to middle school. Ananda discusses the majority white homeschooling places where they felt like an outsider without any identity other than being homeschooled. They struggled with mental illness throughout their childhood mostly reading, writing, and maintaining a few friendships. Ananda briefly covers growing up Muslim and figuring out clothing as a teen when modesty was involved. Ananda candidly discusses the importance of poetry writing which helped them process their lesbianism and gender identity. They spoke about their current gender journey thinking about spaces to occupy outside of womanhood. Ananda ended with a discussion on the importance of Lesbian community, what Lesbianism means to them, and when they are happiest as a Lesbian.