beloved community

6/13/08

the past few days have been intense. public allies class of 2008 has been giving our presentations of learning in the middle of tornadoesque weather. might i also add that they have been amazing.

presentations of learning are a way of showcasing the skills and experiences amassed during the program. some are very heartfelt and personal, others are rigid and professional. the rest fall somewhere in between.

our pol's fell on the first and second thursday and friday of june. we've gathered together in the awkward gray-bathed conference room and watched silently (or very near silently) as one by one, our allies emptied the contents of the past ten months. some laughed, some cried, one even danced. another, one of the fellows, gave out roses to the class and staff in praise.

i have to say that hearing people's pol's was refreshing for me. if i didn't feel any connection to the class before, i am certain i am very much a part of it after. i watched my peers deliver the words conceived on the first day of core in the field, and now i feel like i really know them.

i'm glad to have experienced this outpouring of development. though it wasn't always in the same way, everyone definitely grew. the presentations also forced people to analyze the last ten months critically, in a room full of people who were there too.

an additional part of the pol is that you present to a panel of folks made up of community leaders, nonprofit workers, and p.a. alum and staff. after each presentation, the panel is given 10 minutes of questioning.

i was anxious about this part of the process. i wrote my pol in a manner that allowed me to say what met the requirements without going off on a tirade about some of the experiences i had. (i understand that we're supposed to be creating a culture of honesty, but at this point, i think my honesty would have only been damaging to the relationships i've only begun to build.) of course, panel i had was keen --stacked with a national office staff, an alum, a trainer, and a community leader. they wanted to know why i hadn't discussed more personal issues.

luckily, or ironically, there was a tornado warning right at the end of my presentation, so i was given a moment to "come up for air." i had to answer carefully, and found myself lost in my own words as i expressed truths i hadn't be aware of knowing up until that point. it was strangely liberating and terrifying all at the same time.

i'm glad i got the chance to be part of this tribe. ten months ago, we were perfect strangers. now, we stand up for our beliefs, and we stand up for each other. we're also willing to challenge each other, and demand integrity. the questions asked by my peers and panelists were thoughtful, and the comments and criticisms were honest and insightful. they helped me to find myself even as i lost myself, and remind me that i am lucky to have known it at all.



i believe in the brotherhood of all men, but i don't believe in wasting brotherhood on anyone who doesn't want to practice it with me. brotherhood is a two-way street.
-malcolm x