Black History Month - Black Trans Women - February 11th

TodayI want to highlight CeCe McDonald, a Black transgender woman whose story brought national attention to how self defense and survival are treated differently for trans women, especially Black trans women. CeCe McDonald was a young trans woman living in Minneapolis in 2011 when she and friends were harassed outside a bar with racist and transphobic slurs. The confrontation turned violent and McDonald was physically attacked. During the assault she defended herself, and one of the attackers later died from injuries. Instead of being treated as a victim of a hate motivated attack, she was prosecuted and ultimately sentenced to prison. Her case sparked widespread conversation because many people saw how systems failed to protect her long before the incident. While incarcerated she advocated for herself and other trans prisoners, including issues around safety and placement. After her release she continued speaking about criminal justice, violence, and the realities trans women face when trying simply to survive. CeCe McDonald’s story highlights how survival itself can become criminalized, and why so many Black trans women have historically had to fight not just individuals, but institutions, for recognition and safety.