As we wrap up yet another year, I want to offer a little glimmer of inspiration for the future. I want to focus on the possibility – no, the reality! – of a world that focuses on radical care over cheap consumerism. Not just during the holidays, but all year round.

Consider this the “R” of our 3DR approach to equity and anti-oppression: Rebuild!

Earlier this week, I had the honour of delivering my first keynote speech virtually at the Gap Year Association’s annual conference where I focused on this concept of intersectionality.

And I thought, wouldn’t that be a great place to start this brand spankin’ new newsletter? After all, where better to begin than to look at the first D of our 3DR approach? To decolonize and do the internal work of looking inwards into ourselves.

Because ultimately, intersectionality is about ourselves, our identities. It’s fundamentally about all the multiple and complex layers of identities that each and every single one of us holds.

If you already find yourself in progressive social justice circles, you’ll be familiar, if not well-versed, with this framework. But if you’re not, you’re probably hearing the term a lot more frequently these days. Either way, let’s peel back the layers of this complex web!