Awareness = Action
When I become aware of some difficulty, I sometimes internalize the feelings of sadness and helplessness. I want to take action but… what should I do? This is my struggle. I am clear that I have a responsibility to do what I can to improve the lives of those less fortunate. But what can I, one person, do?
If you don’t know Lorraine Hansberry, check her out. She saw injustice from a young age. She watched her father struggle to help the disenfranchised. She was the youngest and first African American woman (at 29), to have a play produced on Broadway… and what a play it is.
A Raisin in the Sun
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” Langston Hughes
Hansberry’s play, A Raisin In the Sun, was groundbreaking for a number of reasons. If you get a chance to read the book or see the movie, please do.
Taking a Step
All I can do is the next right thing. I don’t always know what that is, but I can pay attention and see if there’s an opportunity for me. The answer lies in being open and willing to do my part. I look for teachers, people who can show me, through their example, what to do. Lorraine was a writer, so she created characters and story. Some people make music. Some people challenge bigotry or hatred when the find it. We can find a way to help. Many small steps can lead to big changes.
There’s no right or easy answer. There is only increasing awareness and then being open to knowing what to do. In the meantime, I try to be gentle with myself and remember that we are in this together.
Image credit: AZ Quotes
What do you think?