Hope In The Hallways

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The great Toni Morrison once said, “There is really nothing more to say except why. But since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how.” I love this for a variety of reasons — and it propels me to think about our current political climate and catastrophic presidency.  As we enter week number five of one of the biggest shit shows I’ve ever seen, I cringe—and cry—at the thought of four years under what has proven to be a frightening global emergency.

Following the election, my job as an educator has been challenging. I teach English at an International school and I’ve had the great opportunity — and honor — to learn about my students’ lives. Since the unveiling of Trump’s immigration ban, the mood has changed drastically, causing students to lose focus while living in a constant state of fear. Some have even stayed home from school. The thought of this makes my insides hurt as I still can’t wrap my head around our current administration’s appallingly ignorant actions. These are our kids. This is our future.

I could spend hours on the whys, but like Toni Morrison said, “they’re difficult and one must take refuge in the hows.” How will we continue to resist and make our voices heard? How will we stop and become a listener? During the “Day Without an Immigrant” protest, students rolled out posters on the grounds of the hallways they had made together. I remember opening my classroom door and immediately awestruck by what I saw. Powerful words, statements and illustrations one couldn’t miss, as you had to step over and around the posters in an effort to move to your next class or to the bathroom. Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ alliance, Muslim solidarity, and even suicide awareness covered the grounds. It took my breath away. My students, who I adore and cherish, took my breath away. And as I stood fighting hard not to turn into the sobbing mess I’ve become post election, I stood in silence and thought . . . this is how.

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My Trip to New York City: Food, Shenanigans and Conversations with Strangers

With a “fly by the seat of my skirt” kind of attitude, I welcomed everything — and everyone — New York City had to offer over the holidays. And had a blast doing it! I’m a sucker for a good adventure, and New York is certainly the place to find one. The streets were packed and the lights big and bright, making the buzz palpable and the cheer a flowin’!

Eager to do something out of the ordinary for the holidays — and for myself, I was hopeful that I’d return back to Seattle feeling reinvigorated and raring to go for whatever is next, which I did. And though I try not to place too much pressure on the resolution part of welcoming a new year, I powered on and set some clear intentions… one involving a piggy bank, and two involving the great act of taking some leaps of faith, personally and professionally. More on that later.

Washington Square Park

In addition to all the incredible food, sightseeing and nighttime shenanigans my holiday trip provided, it also gave me a commanding sense of humanity. Who we are, where we come from, and why we exist ran through my brain with every subway ride, bar stool conversation — and straight up street talking! I got to see the great Brandon Stanton’s vision front and center, making me love his work, Humans of New York, even more. The energy is sharp — and the hustle commendable. You can be anything you want to be . . . just don’t stop.

One of my most treasured experiences while taking in New York was talking with a particular doorman who worked nights at the place I was staying. On the first night, I walked in around 3:00 a.m., after celebrating Christmas with a lovely group of strangers, and immediately started a long, nightly discourse about the book he was reading, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. The timing was perfect, and I loved his perspective on the subject of mass incarceration, which fueled my desire to publish my own piece on the topic.

I also appreciated his honesty and willingness to share his own story about growing up in Brooklyn and into single fatherhood. He had miles in him. And though our exchange was fleeting . . . and happened in the wee hours of the night throughout my week’s stay,  I’ll never forget his outlook on life — and how life altering — and affirming, a stranger’s wisdom can be. I, too, shared some personal trials and triumphs — and he listened, without judgment, night after night. We ate candy, told jokes, talked about more books . . . and he never failed to ask about my day after I’d put in some hours aimlessly wandering the streets of Manhattan. I looked forward to seeing him — and thankful that I stopped to ask what he was reading when I had the chance.

Just one of the many writings on the Brooklyn Bridge

I thought about our conversations while walking across the Brooklyn Bridge on my last evening in town. It was picture perfect too: the sunset was breathtaking, Beyoncé was on high volume, and lady liberty seemed taller. As I continued to tread down unfamiliar territory, while reading messages inked in black marker along the bridge (more great timing), I was reminded that it’s all about the people—who we sometimes least expect — that can ignite our fire and teach us something new about the world. Sometimes I think that we get too caught up in our cell phones — and everything on them, that we miss what’s directly in front of us. I never expected to spend my early mornings talking about love and politics and hard-hitting struggles with a gracious doorman. But I did. And I valued every second of it. He gave me hope for what’s to come — and advice on what to leave behind.

There are so many good people in the world. Really, really good people.