If you’ve spent any time in Detroit in the social justice world, you’ve probably heard of thinking dialectically as a way to engage with, analyze, and contend with big ideas or visions of the future that may have seemingly opposing characteristics. Articulated by the philosopher Georg Hegel, the idea of dialectics considers seriously the notion that change is a constant feature of human life, but with the important point that this requires individuals to see change as something that arises from internal motivation and not just from external forces acting upon our lives. As students of Hegelian philosophy, in their writings on Dialectics and Revolution, James and Grace Lee Boggs were clear about the idea that we must recognize our own power to challenge the status quo, to see the inherent contradictions in “reality” that always exist around us, and to consistently push ourselves and others to strive towards the next great step forward in our social r{e]volution towards human liberation and the Truth.
Indeed, most of us already know we can both be deeply pained by the outcome of a legislative action (like continuing to line the pockets of our overfunded police departments) while also celebrating the small wins that came from organizing one’s community, raising awareness about a particular issue, finding solidarity where you hadn’t before known it existed. We can be both sad and joyous at the same time. That is the kind of Truth we need to be holding right now.
Over the past year, in a world where it seems we are constantly fighting the next most terrifying or gruesome reality (increasing climated related disasters, political policies which strip away basic human rights, the active genocide of people in Gaza) holding on to the idea of dialectic thinking can do us well. These last few months, and especially after the last election in the U.S., so many people are feeling tired, overwhelmed, depressed, and outraged. And, many times, they admit to just wanting to be left alone. They can’t right now think of solutions, they can’t carry the weight of the world, they can’t manage to wrap their head around such heavy tragedies..
What they are describing sounds very much to me like grief. And grief, while a wholly necessary, natural and healthy emotional process, if left to its own devices, if taken to be something permanent and unchangeable can be devastating. We can not let it bury us along with whatever or whomever we have lost, as impossible as that may seem at times. We must own it, allow it to move through us, and then even as we live with it, grow from it. We can grieve and heal at the same time. That is the dialectic we need to cling to in this moment. As we mourn, as we wonder how we can ever win in the face of such unabashed evil, we must continue to love and support one another now and into the future. We must understand our power to build the new. We must not let them take away our joy. We can give ourselves the grace we need to be away awhile and then gently call ourselves back. We can grieve and heal at the same time. It is one revolutionary thing we can do.
It is a Truth that the Riverwise community has shouted loudly and clearly as evidenced by the generous and massive outpouring of offerings we received for this edition after we put out the call for work centered around the theme of healing. This space for creativity, reflection, connection and love is needed. From deep and harrowing poetry that lays bare the ways in which people’s hearts are feeling torn, to stories of the small ways in which those in our community are making big impacts upon sustaining the health and hope of their neighbors, friends and family here in Detroit and around the world, to soothing recipes and tales which remind us of the lessons of our ancestors, and the inspiring optimism of our young friends from the James and Grace Lee Boggs school who so readily see the pathways toward peace, this edition serves as a paean to the work of building beloved community.
Recently, a group of activists and educators from around the country had the opportunity to gather and reflect and just be with one another at the Boggs Center. As we shared our feelings, our dear friend, Sam Scardefield, an urban/regenerative architect who works with Freedom Dreams in Detroit, reminded us “connection diffuses despair.” Let that sink in. Let that guide your next steps. Let that root you in the people, places, and things you’ve lost, while at the same time giving you motivation to continue to reach out, form new bonds, and sow love around you. Friend, you will be alright. Come, let us grieve and heal together.
