Truth, Lies, & Contributions

Four years ago, I wrote a post that I ultimately determined was too personal, too raw for the DRC page. As a solution, I created Rooting for Change, a place to publish essays dedicated to my thoughts, which I believed at the time, were too much for the Deep Root Center Blog. As is sometimes the case for me, the excitement of imagining something new carried me as long as it took to write three additional posts after that initial essay (which coincidentally never ended up on that page). Looking back on it now, I see that it was a good idea that quickly got lost to the overwhelming weight of lies, deceit, and blatantly cruel retaliation. And, yes, the ridiculous feelings of - why bother? 

After hearing the election news yesterday afternoon, I realized that I felt like I could breathe again. Without fully realizing it, for four long years, I had been subconsciously holding my breath - clenching and bracing my body in constant anticipation for the next direct hit. 

My main job as a mentor to the young people who choose DRC is to not only support them, trust them completely, and help them seek out resources to meet their interests and aspirations but to model compassion, kindness, and moral character. 

I had not realized until this moment how hard that work was, over these four years, given that skepticism was running a convincing race as my defining trait, and snarkiness had found a comfy home at the tippy top of my list of skill-sets.  

With the above fully recognized, I would like to clearly state that what brought us the levels of pain and resentment is not gone, simply because we have ousted a demagogue. The underlying issues of inequities and injustice are living on the shoulders of those whom we, as a white privileged, society consider the "other" (BIPOC, LGBTQA+, refugees, immigrants, etc.). Those weights of disparity, racism, and xenophobia have not magically disappeared. We have (as I mentioned in a personal note yesterday) a SHIT TON of work to do.

How do we even begin that work when we are up against folks who are so afraid of change (progress) that they are driven so far into denial that they consider alternative facts an acceptable version of the truth?   

Upon reflecting on my responsibility, beyond being a positive role model to all "my" kids, I would like to resurrect the Rooting for Change Blog. Despite the partially humorous self-imposed snarky label, I consider myself, foremost, a writer. And, without grandiose or self-congratulatory intent, I would like to seed the changes needed to welcome everyone into the conversation - through affirmative messages, honesty, compassion, and kindness. 

Given my time constraints, the only way to keep the Rooting for Change blog alive is to make it a collaborative effort and push forward the works of folks whose voices need to be heard. If you would like to contribute an essay, letter, poem, or creative piece, following the guidelines below, please submit it here for consideration. And, please feel free to share this opportunity within your network.

Onward!

The following is the first essay posted to Rooting for Change on November 14th, 2016: 

Expanding My Voice -

I write to process and then express my emotions, hopes, fears, anger, and observations, broadcast to the world via the Deep Root Center Blog. This past week, I came to realize that many of those things I have to say as an individual are not necessarily appropriate to articulate as the voice of an organization. In this case, a not-for-profit, educational entity that welcomes and respects a variety of perspectives from our student members, their families, our staff, volunteers, community collaborators, and supporters.

Stay tuned as this forum takes shape as a place where we can share our deepest feelings and fondest wishes for this community and beyond. I request that comments remain kind, constructive, and without judgment. This forum will remain a safe place where everyone can feel welcome to express their concerns and desires.

The one rule at Deep Root Center is also applied here: Respect yourself, each other, and this space.

I look forward to future conversations that will bring us closer to understanding each other.