It has been a while since I have posted on my blog—I have been reflecting on how I wished to re-enter this space.
Today, it became clear…I present to you an unedited email from a student (with permission), the kind of student that makes all of what we do worthwhile… it also is a reminder of why compassion should trump rigor night now..
Rich
I appreciate you reaching out as a safe place for students to process. I would like to preface my words with the statement that as a white person, my feelings are not even comparable to the utter grief, anger, and exhaustion that my black brothers and sisters are experiencing and have been experiencing for generations. In response to your question, I am angry and overwhelmed. I am tired that our society STILL hasn't figured out how to bring inclusion and equity in society based on race. I got into social work to make a change structurally with my professional and personal efforts. THIS is exactly the type of inequality that I want to see eliminated in society.
I listened to a video recently of a black man explaining that to wake up to the news of a black man being murdered shatters him, yet as a human, he has responsibilities that he must attend to, work to go to, ect. Existing normally in public spheres in the midst of grief and trauma is something that I believe to be almost impossible. I wept at this video, knowing that though individuals experience grief in their daily lives, nothing compares to the collective grief that black individuals feel daily. There is no bereavement for this grief, no opportunity to take a moment, just an expectation to be peaceful and contained.
Needless to say. I am grieved for my nation right now. I am afraid of the future, and I am employing every ounce of my being to be a good ally to my community right now. This quarter has driven me to the edge of myself, and it has been a struggle personally, but more so, nationally, in the last few weeks. I am feeling mentally TAPPED OUT. I'm distracted and have been unable to form thoughts to complete assignments in proper APA format. For many, this is the biggest thing that we have experienced in our entire life. A pandemic, and a nationwide outcry for justice to be served, and for racism to cease in structural oppression. I am at a loss for words, but I know that you are watching the news, and maybe even protesting. I know that you know that things feel unreal right now.
Thank you for reaching out. It means a lot. I am here, trying to give my all, but it doesn't feel like I have much to give, and it definitely doesn't feel like enough. Nevertheless, here we are.
I listened to a video recently of a black man explaining that to wake up to the news of a black man being murdered shatters him, yet as a human, he has responsibilities that he must attend to, work to go to, ect. Existing normally in public spheres in the midst of grief and trauma is something that I believe to be almost impossible. I wept at this video, knowing that though individuals experience grief in their daily lives, nothing compares to the collective grief that black individuals feel daily. There is no bereavement for this grief, no opportunity to take a moment, just an expectation to be peaceful and contained.
Needless to say. I am grieved for my nation right now. I am afraid of the future, and I am employing every ounce of my being to be a good ally to my community right now. This quarter has driven me to the edge of myself, and it has been a struggle personally, but more so, nationally, in the last few weeks. I am feeling mentally TAPPED OUT. I'm distracted and have been unable to form thoughts to complete assignments in proper APA format. For many, this is the biggest thing that we have experienced in our entire life. A pandemic, and a nationwide outcry for justice to be served, and for racism to cease in structural oppression. I am at a loss for words, but I know that you are watching the news, and maybe even protesting. I know that you know that things feel unreal right now.
Thank you for reaching out. It means a lot. I am here, trying to give my all, but it doesn't feel like I have much to give, and it definitely doesn't feel like enough. Nevertheless, here we are.
BASW Student, UW Tacoma
