Tuesday Evening

What sticks out in my mind from today is our diversity bus experience. Assessing our own senses of privilege -and even entitlement- caused me believe in the hearts of these youth in a new way. I strongly believe that this experience is causing them to not only become more critical of their own assumptions, but also more sensitive to the situations of others.
The most poignant event of this day was the encounter I witnessed between two young boys in the Middle School after-school program. Out of nowhere, one of the boys yelled,"he called me a Negro." I watched as the class assistant did nothing, and as his hope for acknowledgement went unfulfilled. I decided to engage in a number of conversations. Approaching the word-victim first, I asked him how it felt to be acknowledged in such a way. After a few moments, I offered to him that as an African-American, he (and I) belongs to a group of people who have overcome much more than being called derogatory words. He has too much at risk to get hot-headed over an ignorant altercation.
After this conversation, I approached the table that the slur came from. After getting to know the three young men that were sitting there, I asked, "so, did one you call [him] a Negro?" No one stepped forward formally. However, immediately, one of them said, "but, Miss, he called me a stupid b***h in the hall. He called me that first."
Interestingly enough, I read one of the high school graduate's original books before the kids arrived from their school. In it, I read of his struggles to stay in any school because he kept getting kicked out. In his last stop before going to APPC's Central High, he was kicked out for his involvement in a racial fight.
I used to hate it when people would say, "Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." One of the biggest lies in history. Words are miniature atomic bombs when they are spoken with the intent to hurt, dehumanize, degrade, or shame. When they are loaded, they unload embarrassment, self-hatred, general hatred, and self-doubt. The Scriptures talk about the the power of the tongue and the build-up/break-down ability of our spoken words. I love a word that is spoken with the purpose of making me feel loved, beautiful, and adored. I want to speak those kinds of words. What would it look like if we were intentional to spoke words that were purposed to make someone's day, or to encourage someone, or to express support and love? I don't know, but Dr. King's Beloved Community idea comes to mind.
What also strikes me from this is the importance of diversity training and cultural sensitivity. At this time in history, we are seeing the tides beginning to change in an exponential manner in terms of equality across racial lines. As we move socially, it's imperative that we move mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. What would it look like to renounce our privileges and purposely identify with people of more oppressed groups? Our van exercise was a great leap in this direction.
So, in addition to all of this, I shared about an hour in Bible Study with a group of senior citizens. I felt like I had about 8 new grandmas and grandpas! Ezekiel has never been so exciting.
I'm growing more into the group. I'm enjoying this experience thus far. I'm thankful for our spiritual exercise tonight, which gave me an opportunity to thank God for this experience and for this time and for God's deep love. I'm feeling it more everyday.

Love and Blessings,
Neichelle Guidry