Laogege's Journal

Transmuting Grief into Purpose: A Call to Action

Introduction: A Shared Experience of Grief

Welcome, and thank you all for gathering here today. As we meet, let's take a moment to acknowledge the challenging times the South has faced. Each one of us is here in spite of the grief we share, a testament to our resilience and commitment to transformation. As we delve into this profound topic of grief, I urge you all to be gentle with yourselves, acknowledging the emotions that surface and taking the necessary steps for self-care.

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"Grief is a natural part of our human experience and a powerful force that can ignite change and inspire a collective movement towards healing."

The Seed of a Dream: The First Student-Led Farmer's Market

In 2018, I sought to realize a dream—to facilitate a student-led farmer's market in Memphis, in an area marked as a food desert, devoid of access to a full-service grocery store. Unfortunately, life's unpredictable events swept me away just before I could watch it materialize. Mere days before this market was set to open, I was called away to Santiago, Dominican Republic, as my grandmother—my Abuela—lay ill in the hospital.

A Tribute to My Grandmother

My grandmother was an embodiment of strength and innovation—a woman who cherished her morning cafe con leche and evening Afria. She was a pioneering entrepreneur, running a dry clean delivery service well before such conveniences like Uber existed. Her decision to return to the Dominican Republic in her later years exemplified her fierce independence.

Sadly, she passed away due to complications from a stroke—a preventable tragedy if caught early. Her passing left our family heartbroken. At her funeral, I was struck by the parallel paths we both tread: she as a poet and an educator, and I as someone who has chosen a similar path.

Regretting Missed Opportunities

Reflecting on her life and our shared journey, I was filled with regret. I was busy pursuing a Master's in Public Health, a path that in hindsight, could have included more time for family. My grief surpassed mere mourning; it was about the untold stories and the unshared moments.

Grief as a Catalyst for Change

"Grief is love persevering," they say, capable of transforming heartbreak into a potent force for change. At the time, burdened by my shortcomings and multiple losses, I felt ensnared by grief. Yet, it was in these moments of profound reflection that I unearthed the power of grief as a fertile ground for change.

Grief is the foundation from which we cannot escape but must confront to initiate true, lasting change.

Embracing this realization, I set out to channel our collective sorrow into a force of radical imagination and transformation.

Memphis: The Fertile Ground for Health Equity

In the complex year of 2020, amidst wildfires that tinged California's skies orange, and the pandemic, a season of racial reckoning emerged. This epoch was characterized by a powerful, undeniable mix of grief and the collective courage to pursue justice.

As a health equity scholar, I understand deeply how systemic racism and structural inequalities impact both individuals and communities, leading to the pervasive health disparities we witness today. Policies like redlining and inequitable resource distribution have sown seeds of injustice, evident in life-threatening inequities.

Composting Grief for Health Equity

The concept of "composting" grief may seem abstract, but it is a powerful metaphor for transformation. Gardening enthusiasts will know that compost is the “gold standard”—rich, dark soil capable of breathing new life into gardens. Similarly, the raw materials of grief—the pain, memories, and lessons—can be transformed into actionable advocacy.

In Memphis, we take this practice to heart. Through community-engaged research, I work closely with groups like the Memphis Black Healers Collective, a community I co-organize. Together, we share our stories, develop strategies, and advocate for our own futures.

The Process of Transforming Grief

Our aim is not just discussion but action: transforming infant mortality, one of our city's persistent tragedies, not by rote education but by creating grief circles. These circles provide space for stories of loss, infused with critical health information to empower and advocate. We also support doulas and birth workers with much-needed respite, recognizing their part in holding communal grief.

Parallels of Grief and Organizing

The seven stages of grief—shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, and acceptance—mirror the stages of social organizing. In confronting each stage, we challenge existing frameworks and cultivate innovative solutions rooted in communal healing.

Strategies to test and accept collective grief into new paradigms of health equity build towards enhanced systems, encouraging an atmosphere conducive to collaboration and change.

A Collective Breath: Finding the Path Forward

In closing, I invite you to join me in a ritual of breath—a moment to align ourselves with the transformative power of hope and unity.

  1. Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your chest.
  2. Exhale slowly from your mouth, releasing tension.

Repeat this twice more, synchronizing with the room's quiet symphony of breath.

Conclusion: Embracing Grief to Empower Change

As we part ways, embody the newfound perspective and power cultivated through shared grief. Harness the momentum to advocate for equity and justice, beginning locally and resonating globally. Let us continue to compost our grief into a garden rich with potential and radical imagination.

Thank you all for being part of this journey. Together, we possess the power to breathe life into change and shape a future that recognizes and cherishes our shared humanity.

Midjourney prompt for the cover image: An abstract illustration of people interconnected by threads of light, symbolizing the transformation of grief into collective action. The scene is set outdoors in a vibrant community space, seen from a wide angle to capture diversity and unity, filled with abstract symbols of growth, resilience, and hope. Illustrate in Sketch Cartoon Style with a warm, hopeful mood.

HEALTH EQUITY, TRANSFORMATION, ADVOCACY, GRIEF, YOUTUBE, SOCIAL CHANGE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, COMMUNITY, RESILIENCE

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