Alok V. Manon does an amazing job at articulating the struggles many if not all non binary individuals face. Things cis gender people might deem as “normal” or “innate” become real life struggles for the gender non conforming, expanding to them even fearing for their lives. It’s crazy to think that a social construct could land some people to feel completely alienated and marginalized just for choosing not to conform to it. Gender is non consensually decided for most of us before we’re even born, forcing people like Alok and many others to feel restricted in the way they represent themselves, “Repression breeds insecurity breeds violence.” Alok writes as he recounts events of them getting severely bullied for dressing effeminate growing up. It’s then revealed that said bully contacted him years later to apologize, admitting that their own gender suppression lead them to act out against Alok for daring to be so open about his. Which goes to show that being so strict and sticking with these gender roles don’t truly benefit anyone, as they can breed insecurities that wouldn’t otherwise exist without them.