Zach Stafford on Places That Spark Wonder

This podcast episode features Zach Stafford discussing how different places have shaped his life. He begins by reflecting on his upbringing in Tennessee, describing the complexities of being black and gay in a conservative environment. He always sought a new home, and he looked to Chicago as a place of opportunity. Arriving in Chicago, Stafford experienced culture shock, finding racism present but different than in the South. He found community and a variety of possibilities in Boys Town, a historically gay neighborhood. While it was affirming, he also recognized the societal hierarchies present within the neighborhood. Stafford's exposure to gender studies and critical race theory in school, coupled with his experiences in Boys Town, helped him develop a language to understand his identity and place in the world. He was radicalized by his experience in the North. Boys Town was a place of magic, but also a stark illustration of class and identity dynamics.