My impact project is in full, speed ahead, swing and I’m truly enjoying it! For the past five weeks I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mariners Inn. If you don’t know, “Mariners Inn is a leading treatment center, nationally acclaimed for its professional approach toward alleviating the problems of homelessness and substance abuse” in Detroit.
For my project I have chosen to create a curriculum meant to empower the residents of Mariners Inn through the examining of the historical, current, and future racial context of Detroit and beyond. This class is needed because it will allow residents to more fully understand the circumstances surrounding their current situation as a client experiencing rehabilitation. The purpose of this course is to help residents to understand that their stories are not anomalous and are deeply rooted in a history of systemic racism that still persists in the present. This review of American History will shine light on the perseverance and successes of Black Americans in the face of adversity. I believe that the knowledge of the factors that lead to their situation and a knowledge of the stories of people who succeeded despite all odds will inspire, motivate and empower residents. This empowerment will lead to confidence in one-self to improve their situation.
Throughout this process I’ve had a lot of feels. I thought it might be cool to share those feels via my Facebook posts.
FB Post #1
As the first images of lynched Black men appeared on the screen I was forced to admit to myself that I had been avoiding the film. “I need to be in the right head space” I’d tell myself. Fact is, there is no “right head space” that can make the realities dealt with in that film any easier to swallow. But in this circumstance, that I created, I suddenly felt trapped and forced to deal with these issues, staring horror in the face. I told myself, “you have to be tough in front of these men…you don’t want them to see you squirm”. Now I’m asking myself, “what kind of monster would one have to be not to squirm at these ugly truths… ?”
I act tough often when I deal with issues of injustice, and I truly am Black and proud… but sometimes the brokenness of the world overwhelms me and I cry. I feel the tears welling up as I write this. That’s ok, because recently I’ve come to recognize that tears heal. Tears are powerful, they melt frozen hearts and remind us of the reality of our humanity.
What’s next, I’ll gather myself and start to think and pray about next week’s class. I’ll worry and then remember that God is in control. Whatever he wants them to hear will be heard.
As my Grandmother often texts “TGBTG” (To God be the glory).
