“Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls, as well as a quantitative change in our lives.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I’d never known Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as anything other than a day to serve. Growing up, I spent several of these holidays participating in some sort of community work to honor the reverend. But once it became my choice, this day became more and more like any other day off. Admittedly, it’d been a while since I’d done any physical service work. However, this past MLK Day I had the pleasure of joining Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corp. at Brookfield Elementary for a “Day On” greening project.
What follows is a recap of a small act of service, my musings on the easy lift opportunities that exist everywhere, and discovering my beloved community.
Service
In early January, I reached out to my Instagram community to see if anyone knew of any service projects happening on MLK Day. I knew this tactic might be a longshot, because of the pandemic, but I figured someone had to be doing something. Like it always does, the Internet came through! A friend sent me an Instagram post that connected me to Higher Ground. I did a little perusing of their Instagramand website. Then with a few clicks of a button, I was all signed up. I received an email confirmation, along with Covid safety instructions and a waiver. After a few email exchanges, I was all set to attend the event.
I pulled up to Brookfield Elementary just as my shift was starting. I was anxious, like I always am before going somewhere new by myself. But luckily I’d secured a friend to join me too, so I knew a familiar face was only moments away. As I prepared to exit my car I spotted a mother and son. They appeared to be looking for the same event as me. So I greeted them and then walked a few feet behind them until we found the entrance.
Greatness
Once signed in, I found the next small group of people who looked like they knew what they were doing and asked how I could help. I was a little disappointed to learn that, unfortunately, most of the heavy lifting had been completed. Due to Covid protocols and a zealous 1st shift, a lot had been done already. But there was still some watering to do, so I was directed to a giant pushcart full of watering cans.
We started watering in the tree area, then eventually made our way to the garden. It was a beautiful, warm winter day and this task was both refreshing and relaxing. We finished about an hour earlier than expected. I felt guilty that this was all that was required of me for the day, and for having so much of the day left to myself, but my intentions were definitely good.
I can’t say that this experience was life-changing but it definitely felt good. And if that’s all the effort it takes to make something greener, better, or nicer for someone else, then the energy exchange feels well worth it in my book.
Discovering My Beloved Community
Helping people has always been important to me. This year, I’m determined to focus my desire to help others through a more intentional, goal-oriented lens. And if all goes well, it’ll ensure that I can do things that will really bring value to others. Any type 1w2s out there? (maybe more on that later).
But recently, a friend asked me what I meant by the “community” niche listed in my Instagram bio. The truth is, I didn’t know how to answer that question confidently or concisely! I’ve always struggled to identify with a singular community or identity; and as intersectionality teaches us, this isn’t uncommon. This is not because I do not feel like I fit, nor because I’m automatically accepted in every room. It’s more-so, that once I’ve grown comfortable in a group, connected with people, formed allegiances, garnered an understanding with them, I’m hooked.
There are so many groups I feel connected to; dare I say, even accountable to. The global community (i.e. human rights and sustainability), the Black community, the female community, the educator community, and the influencer community just to name a few. Many of us hold multiple identities that connect us to groups of people that may seem totally unrelated. But if you believe that you belong to one community, and one community only, this next part’s for you!
How do you discover your own beloved community?
Discovering Your Beloved Community
The popular rhetoric right now would have you believe the answer is UNITY! If we could all just get along, we’d have a happy country, a happier world. But unity is simply a utopian end result. Saying it over and over again doesn’t make us all magically agree, nor does it teach the underlying mindset that true unity needs.
COMPASSION.
Compassion compels you to move. It compels you to take action in situations that seemingly have nothing to do with you or your needs. Compassion is inconvenient; it’s messy and uncomfortable. But it is absolutely the key ingredient to living life as an active ally and global citizen. If you feel sympathy towards a marginalized group, but haven’t taken an active role in bettering their situation, you have not practiced compassion. You are only practicing pity. And no one needs your pity.
So what’s next?
Start in your own backyard! Maybe with a group you feel slightly connected to, or if you’re feeling brave, a group you know nothing about at all. Listen to and learn from these communities around you, build connections, and get involved. Once you get your feet wet, you can create tangible goals and establish the habits you’ll need to become a stellar ally and global citizen.
For more tips on how you might seek cultural competence and learn to show compassion, check out #26 & #27 on A Millennial’s 30 Before 30 Bucket List.
Now let’s get started on building our beloved community!
xoxo,
Taryn Allyssa
