Violence in any form is condemned, at least in theory, and perpetrators are denounced and publicly called out on social media. Among other things, the author observes that, particularly in Montreal’s queer punk scene, in which she was immersed for several years, safety and accountability are core principles. “Let Us Love ” handles difficult issues like rape culture and collective responsibility for violence.

Unfortunately, this “activist theatre” hides an inability to conduct meaningful dialogue that would take each person’s complex situation into consideration. An example of this is the “performance of virtue,” which can be described as the never-ending struggle to demonstrate one’s adherence to the latest politically correct, albeit simplistic, terminology. In fact, much of the trauma endured by queer, racialized, or, more generally speaking, marginalized people originates from within the community itself. The author emphasizes that the very community proposing to provide a safe space for its members knows a lot about trauma but so little about how to heal it. The first deals mainly with profound crises that plague social justice communities, such as call-out culture, intimate partner abuse, public shaming, and suicide enabling. The book is divided into three parts: “Let Us Live,” “Let Us Love,” and “Let Us Believe,” each consisting of about five essays and poems. From the alarming suicide rate in trans communities to the true meaning of transformative justice, the author leaves no stone unturned in her quest for authenticity. This book offers the perspective of a trans woman of colour on subjects that few have dared to tackle in such a candid way. Interestingly, it was written in the spring of 2019 but is so timely and visionary that it could have been written in the post-pandemic era that we are entering. I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl’s Notes From the End of the World is a collection of personal essays and poems by writer, performer, and community healer Kai Cheng Thom. Content Warning: violence, racism, transphobia, suicide

We are who we choose to be