QUEER(ness)

For us to be on the same page about what QUEERNESS means, we first need to create a collective understanding of what I refer to when I use the term, Queer. Queer – in theory - is a critical theory that examines and critiques society's definitions of gender and sexuality (but also the predominant hierarchical structure within nature and nurture) with the goal of revealing the social and power structures at play in our everyday lives. (A. Ghaziani, 2019)
Entering the English language in the 16th century, queer initially meant "strange", "odd", "peculiar", or "eccentric". It might refer to something suspicious or "not quite right" or to a person with mild derangement or who exhibits socially inappropriate behaviour. (Oxford University Press, 2014) Which nowadays would be problematic because of the shift this has had over the centuries till now. The exact meaning of the outdated term queerness from the 16th century is categorized as “black”. For me queerness is more than gender and sexuality; it is the critical eye that we use to evaluate the society we live in and the “norms” it uses to justify what is wrong or right. Using your queer eye means making an attempt to acknowledge and recognize your privileged position within the hetero norm society and redirect this towards aiming for equity.
I used to use this sentence a few years back throughout my art; “As a black man, I do not have the luxury of being naïve.” Which is now evolving along my process of becoming more inclusive and queer towards my own art as well. 
My research is based on my search for how to queer the (educational) system while being a glitch, for I am grappling with the notions of identity and representation of the Ubuntu philosophy within this western-oriented (art) community. I am grappling with safety and futurity. “We are beyond asking should we (People of Colour) be in the room. We are in the room. We are also dying at a rapid pace and need a sustainable future.” (Glitch Feminism, 2021)