Peace. What a concept. There is so much to unpack in that word. When I hear it I get a visceral reaction to it. It's as if my mind and body are deeply conditioned to appreciate it. I don't know how to explain it other than it feels good. It feels like where we are meant to be. Yet for so many of us, it also feels like something so elusive. We spend so much of our lives searching, fighting, and yearning for peace--what a paradox. That is why I was so happy to talk to my guest today, Erica, who stated peace as her most important value.
As way of background, Erica is an author and the founder of Disrupter University, a community of scholars who support educators and administrators through cultural awareness training, equity-based climate coaching, and community programs. That paradox shows up again when you consider the work Erica does around equity and inclusion. There is so much tension and conflict in this work, it doesn't seem like there would be a lot of peace to be had in it. However, Erica articulated so beautifully how she thinks about this paradox. Peace is not about everything working out the way you hoped or some utopian destination we will ever reach. The world is far too complicated and at times ugly for that to be definition. For Erica, peace is rooted in hope that things can change and confidence that you've done the best you can do. That sounds simple, but it is a messy, pain-staking journey to try to find this peace.
We didn't only reflect on this in an abstract, philosophical way though. Erica and I spoke about her experiences as a child, as a college basketball player, and as an educator that molded her into the person she is today. We also spoke about how these topics play out in the equity work she does, dealing with issues like racism and police brutality. And, maybe my favorite part of the discussion, we spent time talking about how finding peace has allowed her to become a much more effective and empathetic educator. Erica has a perspective and self-awareness that is extremely rare, so it was truly a pleasure to have this conversation with her.
