by Opeletia H., Staff Writer “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
-Toni Morrison As an avid reader and writer, I admired the words of Toni Morrison, an African-American novelist who won a Nobel Prize in Literature, a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and more. I took her charge to heart and began to fill up every journal in sight. It was not until years later when I carried the physical weight of the journals and the mental weight of my interest that I realized I read the quote wrong. Toni’s words were not just a call to innovation, but a call to share and lead. It was no wonder as to why I was dissatisfied: what I created never left the page. From that point on, I made a decision to share a piece of myself with someone every day. What am I interested in? Social justice, holistic health, and leadership development. What did I talk about? Mass incarceration, urban gardening, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, etc. What I found is that I had some of the most fruitful and productive conversations that I had ever had in my life. Gone were the days of repeating my major as though it were my first name to people who were just making small talk. What is even more beautiful is that this deep connection was shared across racial, gender, political, class, and religious lines. We found a sweet spot where everyone belonged. And it grew. Into what? Fortitude, one of the newest student organizations on UTC’s campus whose mission is to connect and develop health-conscious and ethical leaders. Toni Morrison’s words motivated me to become an innovative leader, creating a space where people not only go, but belong. I challenge you to become vocal about your interest because you never know who is waiting on your voice. If you're interested, we meet Mondays at 6pm, biweekly, starting on Feb. 5th. Our first meeting will be in the Chickamauga Room. Contact us with any questions at [email protected].
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author's NoteWelcome to The Torch: Reborn, your multicultural newspaper. Archives
December 2018
Categories© 2017 The Torch: Reborn All Rights Reserved
|