Issue 47: Diaspora
A scattering of a community of people dispersed from their native or indigenous territory and settled in another geographic location. This scattering can be voluntary or involuntary.
Picture Description: Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series. 1940-41. Panel 60: And the Migrants Kept Coming. Digital image © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA/Art Resource, NY.
Check-In:
My initial impression of the word “diaspora” was that it’s a beautiful thing to see all of these Black and Brown bodies across the globe. This meaning was on full display during the Summer Olympics in Paris last month. Black and Brown bodies from all countries across all sports competed to show their physical and mental abilities. We jumped, swam, fenced, ran, kicked, and shot our way into memorable moments and record-breaking feats.
The actual definition of diaspora tells us that the scattering can be voluntary and involuntary. Is it a thing of beauty to see so many Black and Brown bodies or another evidence point of colonialism? How did we get there? How did we end up representing France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States? Are we citizens of these countries by choice? What are the migration stories of our families and ancestors?
I just finished reading Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing by Jen Soriano. In it she shares a study that says it takes 5 generations for trauma not to be felt within a family. I’m the 6th generation away from slavery on my mother’s side so I should be free of its aftermath. However, I was an egg in my mother’s womb when she experienced her trauma as a child so does the cycle just begin all over again with a different root cause?
The root of the diaspora is one of trauma. One of pulling apart and displacement but over generations, we have become this global majority with connections and common goals. The community organizing blueprint created by Ella Baker has been reused for so many movements across the globe in the quest to be seen, and heard, and provided equitable opportunities.
As our neighborhoods and schools continue to represent the diaspora how can we recognize that there’s pain at the root while there is beauty in our connection?
#mondaymotivation: “Winning isn’t for everyone.” -Nike
Interview with a Leader of the Global Majority:
David is the Director of Equity and Excellence. He has been in the role for over three years. Another excerpt of David’s Interview is available in Issue 7-Moniker
Mary: I'm curious about how you practice self-care?
David: Well, I ride my Peloton without shame, run on the treadmill and I do run outside. I ran outside this morning.
David: So I try to exercise and I set boundaries. I'm okay with something not being done. It meant that I had a boundary around what I was doing with my time.
David: And no, I'm not working on the weekend. There are some weekends when I work. But if I decide, I don't want to, I'm not going to.
David: That's what it is. So those are some ways that I practice self-care.
David: And I think for me, it allows me to remember I am responsible for doing me. So I'll say no to stuff. I say no to a lot of stuff.
David: So just tell people no.
** **HELP! HELP! Please let me know if you would like to be interviewed and/or recommend someone to be profiled in this section. I need new interviews! ****
What I’m Reading, Watching, and Listening To:
READING: Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing by Jen Soriano. In this series of essays, the Filipina author shares her experience living with chronic pain and the role of generational trauma in its root causes. I listened to the book but may go back and get a physical copy because there were so many references and quotes that I wanted to record. You can find a full list of my book recommendations here. Please note that I am an affiliate with Bookshop.org and receive a small compensation for your purchase when you use the book links provided.
LISTENING TO: In a recent episode of Trevor Noah’s podcast What Now, he talks to organizational psychologist Adam Grant about the importance of discourse in reducing prejudice and the science of keeping an open mind.
WATCHING: I’m shocked every 4 years by how young most Olympians are and how they have been pursuing their dreams from such a young age. Sprint, the Netflix documentary series highlights the extreme dedication of the world’s greatest track stars. How many future Olympians are in our schools?
How to Continue to Support Leading-Within:
Go to Amazon and rate or review the book there! Reviews are a great way for others to see that this book is worth the time to read.
Post about the book on social media using the hashtag #leadingwithin. Even better if it includes a picture of you WITH the book!
Host a book club with your affinity/ERG group. Two study guides are also available on the ASCD website - one for leaders of color and one for white co-conspirators that are perfect for starting a group conversation. For book clubs with participants who have purchased and committed to reading the book, please reach out to me so I can support your journey!
Connect with me to speak to your organization or group about topics covered in the book, like ‘practicing love and rage’, ‘building a coalition’, and ‘taking a stand’.
If this is your first time reading, please go back and read my Introductions post.
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