Last Tuesday, I attended an impactful lecture given by renowned author Ta-Nehisi Coates at the University of Detroit-Mercy. This was one of many activities since moving to Detroit that took me out of my comfort zone. However, in order for me to live in this city, I must be honest about the past in order to play a role in the future.

Ta-Nehisi spoke about many controversial but important topics: reparations, police brutality, urban issues, and many more. I was also fortunate to be able to purchase his two books, Between the World and Me, and, The Beautiful Struggle. Perhaps the most striking piece of information he shared was that wealth between African Americans and White American was five cents to a dollar.

It has become a goal of mine to learn more about the African American experience. It would seem to be unavoidable in a city that is over eighty percent African American. Yet you would be surprised how many residents and downtown workers are able to look down or ignore the depth of the issues. Of course, if you have not experienced or do not understand systemic oppression, it is a challenge.

I am still learning. I will keep learning, never stop learning. I believe once you stop learning and growing, you begin dying. No need to complicate things or mince words, I believe it because I’ve seen it. People as zombies, trudging through life without emotion or drive.

Seeing that is enough to know I hope to never start dying before I am dead. Embrace every moment, lean into the discomfort, and discover all this world has to offer.

I’m halfway through Ta-Nehisi’s first book, and plan to read both in the next month or two. Regardless, this is one small step in the journey of living an honest, self-aware, and fulfilling life.