Dearest sojourners,
Warmest greetings from the Center’s new home in Atlanta, GA. As outlined in my June 2023 blogpost, the Center is intentionally pausing externally-facing activities, but know that we remain as engaged and committed as ever. To honor that commitment to the pause, I share only a briefest set of reminders here.
Today is the first day of 2024. Sadly, there are many signs that the coming year(s) will be tumultuous and dangerous. Even so, this is not a time for us to cower. It is a time to get involved with ongoing struggles. To prioritize deep understandings over buzzword-based chatter. To witness. To speak. To act—boldly, but not recklessly for health justice. To preserve our humanity.
For those who may feel discouraged or overwhelmed, here are several additional reminders.
Celebrate. Remember, dear sojourners, this work is extensive and difficult, but you are indeed doing it! Much of the labor is not readily perceived or acknowledged by others. Your peers or institutions may not value it beyond whatever immediate gains it affords them. However, we are motivated to do the work by a commitment to our community. Or, because we dream of a better world and know that world is possible. Those who benefit from your work may never know how much effort you expend doing it. You must find ways to recognize and celebrate each important milestone yourself. Perhaps the day will come when we can sit down and recount them together.
Rest. Carve out the time you need for rest. The best models of health justice do not ignore our own rights to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. You deserve the space and time to care for yourself, your team members and your loved ones while doing the work. There is no need to apologize for that.
On Saviors. The emerging challenges will not be solved because a public health savior developed a cure. They will be solved because a movement toward health justice demanded something different and worked to make it happen. Efforts to achieve health justice require the collective efforts of many people. This orientation is at odds with academia, which promotes a single academic “star” who operates in isolation from others. Surround yourself with other collectivist-oriented colleagues.
On isolation. Do not isolate yourself. Threats to the attainment of “optimal health for all”. include various forms of racism, climate change, attacks on reproductive rights, etc. Therefore, it is important to build coalitions to synergistically achieve shared goals.
On the evolution of racism. Be aware that racism is evolving in the early 21st century. It is both subtler and more complex. Realign your intellectual work to reflect this.
Some of you are feeling discouraged or overwhelmed. You are important. And so, too, is your work. Keep your head up. Take one small step at a time. And, be sure to get the professional support needed to thrive.
Yours in struggle,
Chandra
… ever committed to impactful movement toward health justice in the early 21st century…
