photo courtesy Pexels
Reflections from throughout the year on what – and who – keeps us going:
One word comes to mind as I reflect on Kwanzaa: foundation. The principles and symbols offered me a firm cultural foundation. It was the key that opened my mind to see beyond the false, negative narratives and racial indoctrination of “American” history. –Jolyn Washington-Walker (Cohort 9), Reclaiming My Culture Through Kwanzaa
“I’m grateful to have the positive family memories that were excavated while with Sheila. I am inviting them to reshape my view of life; from a hard and heavy and solitary path, to adventures of exploration and discovery and community. I am sorting and letting go, releasing and forgiving, recognizing mistakes…” –Merrie Harrison (Cohort 13), What to Keep, What to Let Go
“I find myself wondering every day – what is possible. What can I do, what can I say, what can I create, who can I know, where can I go – just because it’s possible. Try something.” –Kia Levey-Burden (Cohort 8) Interview
“I am currently experiencing the communal beauty of Ubuntu in megawatts. Even in these circumstances – social distancing necessitated by COVID and the physical limitations of my current medical journey – the spirit of Ubuntu thrives. When a community is attuned to the practice and living of it, it transcends temporal boundaries.” –Denise Keyes Page (facilitator, Cohorts 2&3), Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu Through Storytelling
“Folks in the community are making sure their neighbors are ok. The other thing that makes me hopeful is all of the advocacy work by young people… Young folks are active, incredible leaders – they’re so inspiring.” –Janet Stolfi Alfano (Cohort 16) Interview
“It’s inspiring to be in conversations where people hold on to the values and vision for themselves and the people around them with care, concern, and hope.” –Liz Hammond, Cohort 8 Interview
“We are achieving this because we have been focused on caring about our elders and our larger Indigenous community…” –Kia Honhongva (Cohort 29), Indigenous People and Data Trends on Death & Life
“I’m inspired by his discoveries, his joy and willingness to share his emotions and experiences. He is a constant teacher, and shows me so many things that I’ve forgotten. He inspires me to remember all the beauty and joy there is in the mundane and in the present…” –José Feliciano (Cohort 21) Interview
“I know we live in a world with a lot going on. If we only watch the news or read the newspaper, we’d think there’s only negativity. But the truth is, what inspires me and gives me hope is people, kindness. The small acts of kindness…” –Kyisha Velazquez (Cohort 16) Interview
“I spent those 14 years preparing myself to be a vessel on this side, and to come home and do what God called me to do…” –David Burden (Cohort 29), Forgiveness: The Personal & The Policy (Part 1)
“Such a personal identification does not sadden me, but inspires me. (I’m leaving that intentionally cryptic; my hope is that you look into your own looking glass.)” –Tom Ficklin (Cohort 13), White Lies-Masked Madness
“…if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons… let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.” –Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), The Prophet & Time
“A sustainable planning process called ‘Multisolving’ balances competing needs, finding possible compromise and overall healthy solutions. Focus areas include Food and Water, Jobs, Industry, Health, Well-being, Safety, Connection, Climate, and Resilience. Community planning brings all the stakeholders together to clarify and prioritize…” –Rachel Heerema (Cohort 2), Fighting the fight (and flights) that needs fighting
“My saving grace was my small and mighty army of friends and family. It was their care and concern that sustained me through the hard time…” –Babz Rawls Ivy (Cohort 1), What Can I Do? The Freed Woman Fund Answers
“…what inspires me on a daily basis, is working with other addicts and seeing the change and improvement in their lives when they make a decision to make a change and they work for it. The miracles you see happen in people’s lives.” –Chris Cole (Cohort 12) Interview
“We have seen how the pressure of societal immobility on a vast scale empowered us to creatively problem solve. Within months, we identified resources through public-private partnerships, mutual aid societies and the like… Will we use this moment to imagine bigger and better for them? We are at a critical moment in history with the resources to do so.” –Randi R. McCray (Cohort 12), Imagining Better for Black & Brown Children
“It’s been almost a year without a smartphone now and I thought I’d share a few things that I’ve learned…” –Joshua Wyrtzen (Cohort 26), A Friend in Silence
“His presence in my life as he was growing up, and possibly even more in his full independence, has provided strong affirmation of who I am, who I come from, and what, within the context of the whole of my life, I can still become even as I move inexorably toward my dotage…” –Claire Bien (Cohort 6), Embracing A Legacy of Silliness—and Finding Joy
“I believe in trust, kindness, equity, and I have seen over and over how theatre can build these up in a community…” –Nancy Alexander (Cohort 8), From The Heights to The Haven
“…when your friend consistently affirms your value, and your ability to contribute good things, you begin to believe it.” –George Black (Cohort 25), To The Men Who Have Pursued Me
Curated by The Circle’s creative director & editor, Lara Herscovitch. To reach Lara directly: thecircle@clpnewhaven.org or Lara@LaraHerscovitch.com