Nekeisha Alayna Alexis shares her hope, in addition to providing an opportunity for others to be share that hope amid a world that seems to be full of despair.
This is an updated version of a blog post originally shared by Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Reprinted with permission.
Nekeisha Alayna Alexis Photo credit: Peter Ringenberg/AMBS
Nekeisha Alayna Alexis is a speaker/consultant for Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, in Elkhart, Indiana. She supports individuals, communities and organizations, as they grow in intercultural competence and create spaces that foster justice, belonging and right relationships across differences and amidst systems of harm. Nekeisha holds a Master of Arts: Theological Studies from AMBS and brings more than 20 years of experience in institutional change and undoing racism efforts. For more information, visit ambs.edu/invite.
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“How are you?”
These days, this question holds more complexity than usual.
For some, “How are you?” elicits feelings of anger and grief about the American political landscape. For others, the question raises deep fears for loved ones and concern about living in the bodies they are in. So many people are experiencing profound anxiety and despair.
It can be easy to assume “everyone” is feeling some version of “bad.”
At least that’s the way it seems when people ask me, “How are you?” with furrowed brows, ready to console me. Sometimes, there is visible surprise when I reply, “Oh, I feel tremendous!” instead of joining the chorus of pained emotions. I understand why some folks assume a brown-skinned woman who feels passionate about the things I feel passionate about would be feeling disheartened these days. Truth is, I currently feel the opposite.
How is it that I am grounded, grateful and even glad in this moment? Is this delusional: a symptom of not paying attention to what’s going on?
One of my many sources of joy has been asking of myself, others and this moment: “What is the opportunity here?” This question retunes me toward possibilities.
With this outlook, I can celebrate that the congregations I have assisted with undoing racism journeys have established infrastructures to navigate this season. I feel excited, as Mennonite organizations I’ve worked with ask not, “Where do we even start?” but, “How do we keep going?” as they boldly continue transforming the practices and power dynamics that govern their work. I feel energized by supporting leaders, as they strengthen their ability to bridge cultural differences using the Intercultural Development Inventory and in our one-on-one accountability conversations. We are, as always, in a state of “both/and”: Wonderful things are happening, too!
During a retreat I led for Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference leaders last November, pastors entered the room with a thick spirit of heaviness. They left with a better understanding of the terrain we are living in and a deeper awareness of the relationships and resources they could draw upon to serve those most threatened in this time. I left feeling elated that I could help shift people from debilitation to dreaming — and desiring more opportunities to help people recalibrate their focus.
Yes, initiatives to increase equity are under siege — and once-obscure Black-owned businesses are thriving. Yes, chaos is reigning in high places — and everyday people from all backgrounds are recognizing their power. Yes, there is increased vitriol between people — and people who were once adversaries are finding common ground, sometimes unexpectedly.
In this restless time, which is neither new nor as tumultuous as it could be yet, I remain curious about what windows, doors and gates God is opening. What are the opportunities for self-determination and witness, faithfulness and community-building, God-reliance and strategic action? What avenues to liberation is God inviting us to travel? When might we act as wise as serpents, and when do we need to be as innocent as doves?
There are still reasons to trust and hope, even now, and I refuse to quit imagining a different world. If you are refusing to quit, too, then let us scheme what is possible, together.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog belong to the author and are not intended to represent the views of the MC USA Executive Board or staff.