The past few months have been incredibly heavy. The news cycle never seems to slow down, and there are so many people who are dealing with extraordinarily difficult circumstances. The actions of those in local, national, and international leadership have been incredibly troublesome to reconcile, and at times, I have felt helpless.
In these moments, I remember Miriame Kaba’s words: “Hope is a discipline.” For me, that means that even as our collective hearts break and grieve, we remain intentional about creating a better world and retaining hope. We are the people we have been waiting for, and we already have the resources we need for everyone to thrive. As we get closer to the U.S. presidential election, I am reminded of how critical it is that we are engaged throughout the election cycle, not just when federal elections are happening.
Instead of sharing a column this month, I have created a few reflection questions for us to consider individually and as a community. Instead of keeping politics out of work, I encourage us to recognize that everything is political, including public health and higher education. Use the questions to have (perhaps uncomfortable) conversations with colleagues and clarify how our work is connected to the political results.
- What are your concerns this election season, and how are candidates addressing them?
- What can you do (or are you doing) outside of the election season to ensure the advancement of antiracism, anti-oppression, and health equity?
- How can you, in your current personal and professional roles, help public health be more justice oriented?
- What communities or populations are being left out? How can we center and amplify them?
- If the election doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, what will you do next?
Through these reflections and conversations, I hope you are able to find some solace, and a way forward. I hope that each of us can identify other people who can both grieve and labor with us toward justice and liberation. And I hope that you keep dreaming of a better tomorrow.
“I’m terrified of the moral apathy – the death of the heart, which is happening in my country.”
― James Baldwin
