TRJE - Feeding the mind and heart

It was another interesting and thought provoking experience at TRJE this past Saturday, February 23. While sitting in the check-in circle, after libation was poured, I was expecting to witness another round of upbeat and positive accomplishments from the students. I was still racking my brain for something cool to share with everyone else when I walked into the Cinema Center. Finally, I decided something inspiring would have to hit me or else I was just really dull and would keep to myself again.
Ketu asked if anyone was ready with their presentation. With this being only my second meeting, I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about, but trusted that it would be remarkable no matter what. Two members, Bruce and Malik stood up and shared the events of the 1968 Orangeburg Massacre, where local policeman fired into a crowd protesting segregation and killed 3 young men. As painful as it was to listen to, the discomforting component was that not a lot of people in TRJE attendance knew of the incident. Ten minutes into the session and I had already learned something new and historical that caused humbling reflection on my own self. The trip there was already worth it.
Then, Ketu asked if anyone else was ready. He seemed a bit agitated when group after group replied that they were not ready. I sat there wishing I had something to contribute (even though I knew nothing of the requirements or subject matter) just to appease him and break the silence. The kids sat picking the floor, staring at the ceiling, attempting to explain themselves and Ketu would have nothing to do with it. He launched a challenging address of self-reflection and instruction. He said, “If you do not feed your mind, you are a hole. If your mind and your heart do not work together, you are dead.” He reminded everyone that people had died to make their lives “comfortable and Obama and Hilary Clinton would not be where they are today without the circumstances of what others had endured.” He reminded all of us that we forget where we have come from.
Not since the women’s studies courses I took in college had I felt such shame and sadness for barely knowing a past and not being presently active. I subscribe to a Feminist News journal called “Off Our Backs.” I try to stay abreast of what is happening with people, women, like me, trying to find their voices in a community of other voices. The suffering that women and minorities endure continues now, daily. It usually takes me a month to read the journal because it is so distressing and unjust. I’m so comfortable; I have to re-make myself comfortable to read pieces of the journal at a variety of sittings because I get uncomfortable. Just like everyone at TRJE on Saturday, I was comfortable because others pay the price, even today.
When we broke from the check-in circle and went into the creative writing session, we were all asked to think of an African-American who has made an impression on our lives. I thought this exercise stayed very true to what we had experienced through Ketu’s discussion. How often do we sit and ponder those who impact our lives, both past and present? What justice is there in knowing the greatness of someone and never speaking of it? Great people come into our lives, grab our attention and inspire activism. Our hearts feel it and our minds know it. Ketu was right. We are all connected and without education we can’t hope for understanding or betterment. I can still hear his words. I guess something inspiring hit me after all.