Personal Reflection: David O. Fakunle, Ph.D.
The month of November centers around an especially important holiday for me, that being Thanksgiving. Aside from the bounty of delicious food that I eat until I can barely breathe, I really look forward to being in space with a lot of my family. Whether it is hopping from house to house making sure you catch up with as many people as possible, relaxing on the couch watching football (or football watching us sleep), or partying to whatever random song pops up on the speaker, those moments are what remind me of why life is worth it.
As I share with my public health students, the answer to why we are in the field, why we do the research, why we engage in the practice, why we advocate and champion and why we teach, is usually a who. That is certainly the case for me, as I want everyone to have a fair chance at consistent and sustainable moments of joy, happiness and gratitude. Now more than ever, we must be grounded in thankfulness for the spectrum of blessings we may receive, and the best way to express gratitude is to give of yourself when the moment calls for it. I admit, it was hard for me to grasp that concept because I was concerned (honestly, scared) that I would not receive anything in return for being nice, or generous, or thoughtful, or empathetic. As with many lessons in life, time is the ultimate teacher, and in due time I learned that giving to receive is not the point.
Giving is something we should do because the world is better for it, and we are better for it. With that spirit as a North Star, the Universe will provide when the moment calls for it. I would not say it if I did not have plenty of evidence to back it up, and the only evidence anyone could provide is their story. That is also the point.
Awareness
November is National Native American Heritage Month. As the United States continues to navigate the consequences of refusing to acknowledge one of its cardinal sins – the enslavement of Africans – let us not forget its other cardinal sin: the physical and cultural genocide of the Indigenous peoples on whose land, whether by force or by choice, we stand. I encourage us to honor their histories, along with our own, and explore possibilities to cultivate solidarity in support of achieving the justice we collectively deserve.
Engagement
Considering participating in the 43rd Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference, which is hosted by the National Association of Black Storytellers and takes place in Atlanta November 20th – 23rd. Come experience the sharing of narratives from throughout the African Diaspora through song, dance, cultural expressions, workshops and of course, storytelling. It is a space of rejuvenation, embrace and joy, one that you must experience to truly understand!