It is always very strange for me to listen to the discourse about ‘representation’ re politics or power in general, because I never grew up thinking I needed to have female, or mixed-raced, or lgbt models I could identify with to do things. As much as I can understand why some…

people might need it, in specific contexts, I am weary about the development of this thinking. Do people really think they can't achieve smth because no one ‘like them’ has done it before? What about thinking of ourselves as explorers, to begin with? Isn't that more empowering?

But, more specifically—if I just focus on the sexed dimension of my own person—there is no particular powerful woman I see myself in, regardless of their place on the political spectrum. We're too often stuck between ready-made models that are too stiff & inadequate.

Let me tell you, women who don't fit into political categories: there's nothing wrong in being proud, strong & speaking up. So much of the discourse of ‘representation’ happens because we're not speaking for ourselves *as individuals*. You don't have to be docile *or* aggressive.

Assertiveness is key, & it's tricky because that's not something that always comes naturally (esp. given the agreeableness factor). But, I swear, if we just said more often, publicly & respectfully, that we disagree with things being said *on our behalf*, life would be better.

You don't need to have a political agenda, quite the contrary. You just need to realise your identity is & will be weaponised by others, sometimes against your own beliefs, on whichever side of the political aisle. I've much more thoughts about this, but that's my two cents atm.