Occupy Oakland Strike: Change and The Power of Nonviolence

Last night I marched with thousands of people of all ages, ethnicities, and classes to the Port of Oakland. People were chanting, smiling, speaking about nonviolence, talking about change, playing Michael Jackson on stereo.

What was most powerful for me was not only the march, which symbolized the need for social and economic equality in our world, but also the spirit of nonviolence that feed so many of us.

There was one particular incident where violence could have been a reality. There were thousands of us standing in front of the Port of Oakland fence. Around 7:40 pm or so an employee of the port tried to drive through the mass of people to get to his job. He was driving slow, but seemed somewhat forceful with his driving. Within seconds people started to kick his truck, scream at him, someone even jumped on his truck looking as if he was going to kick the windshield in. However, this violence was stopped within seconds. How? As soon as this happened a powerful chant came from the crowd, “NONVIOLENCE, NONVIOLENCE, NONVIOLENCE.” Though initially our voices seemed low, we were joined by large numbers who believed in the same. The “NONVIOLENCE, NONVIOLENCE” chant turned to chanting, “PEACEFUL, PEACEFUL.” Many of us held up peace signs. Within seconds the majority of us was chanting and standing for peace. The angered man jumped off the truck and protestors stopped kicking the man’s truck. A nonviolent protestor led the man and his truck out of the mass of people. My classmate looked at me and noted that the man who lead the truck driver was Oscar Grant’s relative who he saw speak in Berkeley once. Oscar Grant was a young man killed by the BART police in 2009. This witness was extremely powerful for me. There is power in speaking up for peace when violence surrounds us. Speaking up can literally shift the energy and change a particularly harmful situation.

The media seems to focus so much on the negative events happening in the Occupy movement, but yesterday I was inspired. I saw first hand the power of nonviolent protest in action within this movement. I observed a relative of Oscar Grant extend compassion to a man who could have potentially harmed him. I drove by school children standing next to their school with their handmade signs chanting in solidarity: “We are the 99%!” I’ve heard the testimonies of many and my heart, mind, and soul is moved to compassion and action. Last night on Occupy Oakland Live-U Stream the brother facilitating the live footage spoke to the police directly after force was expressed on occupiers. He noted, “It is the love and compassion of the fellow protestors that I will remember from this movement. It is not the violence and brutality of the police (or others). Love and compassion will always win over violence and brutality.”

After leaving the port I went back to the Occupy Oakland encampment at Oscar Grant Plaza. I left around 9:30 pm, but followed the reports of violence via live streaming. I had the same sentiments as my friend Sam. He notes, “Reading the news-reports from the middle of the night, it saddens me to hear of what took place. It also convinces me of the importance of continued involvement in this growing movement - the importance of maintaining strong voices for the methods of non-violence, and being open to listening to the anger and the frustration of those who feel compelled to use more violent means.”

The movement needs you, needs us, to step up nonviolently in the call for equality. We need more jobs, equal access to health care, equal access to excellent education, and more. We are the hope! We are the change! We are the 99%!


In Peace,


Argrow “Kit” Evans

Stopping Stinking Thinking: “You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!”

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!”

Two months ago I sat with a group of 40 South African teenage girls and we chanted this verse from Psalm 139: 14 over and over again. In this lesson we acknowledged the reality of our sometimes-stinking thinking. Regardless of the context, there seems to be startling expectations as it relates to women and our bodies. Our society teaches that we should be a certain height, shape, hold certain roles, have certain hair, eye color, even shoe size.

I have seen Black women in Kenya purchase lightning cream to make their skin lighter. Women in China literally bind their feet together to become more attractive. Black sisters in America often rush to the salon to get hair relaxers so that their hair won’t become “nappy.” As a young girl I remember telling my mother I needed glasses in order to get the hazel brown eyes (contacts), which I interpreted as beautiful. Every time I watch a daytime doctor show on television there seems to be an emphasis on how we women can change our bodies. But, how do these societal realities on image impact our mind, body, and spirit?

When we feel we haven’t lived up to societies expectations this can have a major impact on the way we feel about our bodies, which has a direct impact on the way we think and function in the world. Our mind, body, and spirit are connected. In the book, Hunting for Hope, Scott Sanders notes, “There is a parallel between mind and body,” and, I believe spirit.

Can there be hope in a society that often labels us by the way our body looks?

I have used Psalm 139:14 to encourage others and myself. For me it speaks about the love that God has for us. God loves us so much that he knit us together while we were still in our mother’s belly. He made each one of us special. God specially crafted each one of us: mind, body, and spirit with wonder, with awe, with love. Every cell, every organ, every hair, every mole, every dimple, every scar, every wrinkle, and every pudge that seems resistant to leave! HE LOVES YOU and created you super special. Because of this we can value our temple, nurture our spirit, and feed our mind with positive thinking. I have a 12-year-old female cousin who is in 7th grade and 6 foot 2 inches tall. One day a young boy, who was shorter than her noted, “WOW, you are so tall. You are like a giant!” My aunt and I watched to see her reaction. She smiled at him and stated, “Thank you!” Just like my young cousin we have to work to get to the point where society does not define who we are and what we think about ourselves. God helps to define who we are and what we should think about ourselves. So I challenge you to push away the stinking thinking and embrace healthier thoughts focused on how God sees us. “You are fearfully and wonderfully made!” “You are fearfully and wonderfully made!” “You are fearfully and wonderfully made!” Believe it!

Finding Hope in a Society That Executed “Troy Davis”

Yesterday a brother named Troy Davis was executed for supposedly killing a police officer over 20 years ago. Though seven out of nine witnesses recanted their statements he was still executed (http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/cases/usa-troy-davis). Over the past week I have seen people express anger, hurt, peace. I have listened to people speak about the family of Troy Davis, but also the family of the police officer killed. In the midst of all of the unjust and hurtful realities where do we find hope?

Hope means, “to desire with expectation of obtainment.” Yesterday there were vigils, protests, and petitions even went out to stop the execution. All of this energy shifted towards bringing about change in the midst of injustice. What I wrestle with is what happens tomorrow? Today this is all over CNN, facebook, and intertwined in our conversations. But, how often do we forget about the Troy Davis’ of the world and move on to speaking about the next issue. What are you going to do in this movement for hope, justice and equality today, tomorrow, next week, next month, this year, next year, five years from now? I am hopeful how we as a people can mobilize and speak out against injustice. I am also hopeful that we can step up and challenge ourselves by investing our energy and time in joining a cause, signing a petition, volunteering in our community, educating our children and by becoming involved in ways that can bring about sustainable change in our community, our country, our world. Like Gandhi expressed, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”

Peace,

Argrow “Kit” Evans

E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N: GO HARD! PASSING ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

My 5-year-old niece (Judah), my 41-year-old sister, and I all experienced the same event this past week: the first day of school! On Judah's first day of school I called her to hear excitement in her voice. Her mother told me she went to sleep early for the first time without fussing and woke up before the sun came up. Her excitement about her education exuded beyond measure. Judah's super woman t-shirt matched her super intense smile, with excitement, with gratitude, with expectation.

Millions, if not billions of people around the world have a first day of school every year. I am now going into my 12th year as a student outside of high school and I must say it has been quite a journey. Some joys, hardships; some accomplishments, but also some sleepless nights. As I enter into my last year as a student (formally) I ask myself was it worth it? At first instinct realistically I quickly say, "Heck to the NO!" The life of a graduate student can be quite trying! But, there are those moments where I challenge myself to think outside of myself. I remember my great grandmother telling me stories of working as a maid in our small Southern town. I remember her telling me stories about her father share cropping on another man's land just to feed his own children. Grandma had a middle school education. I assume her father did not have the privilege to go beyond elementary school. My grandmother was a wise woman and her words often ring in my head, "Get as much education as you can get baby, get as much as you can get." Grandma knew that education was actually a privilege and something very important.

Thinking outside of myself helps me to remember that sacrificing to attain an education actually is not solely for ourselves, but our determination to achieve what ever dream we aspire is passed down to the next generation within and outside of our communities, our families. What is it that we will pass on to our children? Write the paper, take the exam, take the course, get the degree. Not everyone is called to be an academic, but we can strive to learn as much as we can in our work striving to bring our best selves in whatever work we are called to do. Cars, houses, and clothing all depreciate, but our high school diplomas, certificates, and/or college degrees hold their value.

Grandma always noted, "No one can ever take your education from you." She was right! Though the world is in very trying economic times and jobs are scarce, education still has much worth and always will. After 12 years of hard work in the academic game I can say that it was all worth it. It's worth it! GO HARD and go get it ya'll!

-Argrow "Kit"

South Africa, Life, and Godiva Chocolate!

So I’m headed home from South Africa with one hour of the 15-hour leg to go. During my time in South Africa I met a lot of amazing people. I met young people, old people, men, women, boys and girls who were inspiring. I met people who were living in very intense situations, but they decided to live a life of peace striving for joy on purpose. It is these types of encounters that actually keep me going.

Next week the Fund for Theological Education ministry fellows will come together and present their summer experiences. This is the fellowship I received to go to South Africa. There are 20 of us and we all had very diverse projects. Some of the other fellows engaged in ministry in Israel, Turkey, the Martin Luther King Papers Project at Stanford, and researched many other projects. It will be interesting to see how everyone’s project went.

After reflection I see that my time in South Africa was really a blessing. I see how God is showing me what ministry is like and that it is ok to accept the call. It is ok to do what you enjoy and love what you do. For a long time I felt like because I was not moving down a “traditional path” I had to change the things that I really loved to do. But, my experiences have helped me to realize that it is ok to be yourself in your own uniqueness regardless of what people say. When we are not ourselves there is tension, unhappiness, a lack of peace, frustration, and discomfort. It’s interesting because I do think that when we embrace our unique gifts and call there can still be fear and discomfort, but it is a different type of fear. When we are living a life where we are doing what we dislike it can just be plain out uncomfortable. When we are living out our call in our own uniqueness the fear is a type of fear that when we face it we actually become more liberated, happy people. I think for a while I doubted who I was, what God was calling me to do, and my ability to be a grounded, peaceful, driven, adventurous person in the world. I mean really: I am an African American woman from a working class, single parent home in small town North Carolina. Why would God call me to do this work? I’ve realized that regardless of who we are, where we come from, how we were raised, what level of education we have God can use us in profound, mind-blowing ways. If we step out on faith and truly work to live out what God has placed in our hearts, we can’t go wrong. I have a plaque on my wall that says, “Believe: Follow your heart and you will never go wrong.” “Believe: Follow you heart and you will never go wrong.” “Believe: Follow your heart and you will never go wrong.” This is true. If God has put something in your heart and spirit to do, DO IT! It may not sound simple, but it can be simple. If you dream it, you can see it. If you see it, you can believe it. If you believe it, you can achieve it! YES YOU CAN!

Life really is like a box of chocolate, “You never know what you are going to get.” Thank you Forest Gump! But, the exciting thing about the box of chocolate is that it can be full of great tasting Godiva! ☺

Peace,

Argrow "Kit"

The Joys of Studying With My African Sisters and Brothers, Contextual Bible Study, HIV and AIDS, Empowerment, and Abba

“Bayete, Bayete Inkosi, Bayete, King of Kings, Bayete, Bayete Inkosi (singing),” ☺

I just came back from a chapel service with a group of Lutheran students from all over the continent of Africa. How awesome it is to fellowship with brothers and sisters! For the last week and a half I have been at the University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Theology studying with people from all over the continent of Africa. Today I listened to a South African Indian woman present her research about the indentured servitude of Indians to South Africa in 1860 from India and current implications for working women in the context of a patriarchal Indian society. I listened to a man from Burundi speak about how the Pentecostal church needs to stop focusing so much on prosperity, but needs to focus on assisting with social issues in the community such as HIV and AIDS. I listened to a man from Tanzania speak about the importance and helpfulness of organic farming in rural areas. In my African Woman’s Theology class I listened to African women and men share their stories of polygamy, domestic violence, patriarchy, motherhood, education, being refugees, strong mothers and so many other realities in their context. I walk around and I see brown faces, black faces, white faces. It’s interesting because not so long ago White, Indian, Colored, and Black people had to attend separate colleges because of the color of their skin (only 17 years ago). But, now you see people of all ethnicities sitting in the same classroom. Reminds me of Dr. King’s dream. However, the interesting thing for me is that after the class ends you see a division of race very clearly. The Indians are together, Whites together; South Africans together, then foreigners are together (people from other African countries). This makes me think about Beverly Tatum’s book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race.”

I feel very blessed to have this experience. I have been focusing a lot on how to put into practice something called contextual bible study. This is where bible stories are used to actually help people dig deeper into certain societal issues and in turn used as a tool of liberation for people living in intense situations. The bible story is presented in a way that the community can work to make meaning and interpret the story in their own way. The text is then used to dig deeper into societal issues, and also used as a call to action in many cases. I have been focusing a lot on the text of 2 Samuel 13: 1-22. This is the text of Tamar, David’s daughter, who was raped by her brother Amnon. The abuse happened in her own home. The focus of the text is sexual violence and incest, but it is also focused on Tamar’s courage. In the midst of everything Tamar in 2 Samuel 13: 12 did say “NO”! And even after her rape she did all that she could in that context to embrace courage and strength in the midst of be violated. It is texts such as these that I hope to bring to communities to assist them in engaging more about societal and communal issues, while also working to provide tools for liberation and healing.

One of the very empowering women I met this week is doing this good work with people living with HIV and AIDS. She told me that 5 of her siblings died from complications, which came from AIDS. She is now raising 6 of their children. Sometimes I wonder how and why we are called to do certain work. Today I shared my story of sexual violence with Maria who is doing lots of work with contextual bible studies and gender based violence. I told her that before seminary I used to say, “what the devil meant for evil God meant for God.” However, my theological training has caused me to question what this really means. She encouraged me to remember who God is for me. And noted that throughout her life the experiences that she thought were going to take her out is what actually drives her in the work that she does now. Those bad experiences, those bad relationships, those rough times actually allow her to be able to minister and serve the way that God has called her to. So today, I embrace again, “WHAT THE DEVIL MEANT FOR EVIL GOD MEANT FOR GOOD!” Hi-FIVE! ☺

Sometimes I think about my life and I am like, “God, really, what’s going on? Why am I here? What are you preparing me for?” But, then I stop over analyzing and I realize just how good God is. My professor here often talks about my Pentecostal background and my faith in God. I told her 2 years ago that I was going to come to South Africa for the summer and that I believed God. 2 years later, she couldn’t believe that I actually made it here. This week I did not have a ride to go visit an AIDS clinic I wanted to visit. I told my professor that it would all work out. Last night I met a student who agreed to drive me to the clinic, and she actually knew already where it was in this rural area of the country. Today my professor stated, “I wish I had your faith.” She stated, “I am a liberalist, but I wish I had your faith.” The bible says that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed it can move mountains. If we believe, if we truly believe in God and in the gifts that God has given us in our own uniqueness we can go anywhere, we can do anything, we can accomplish anything. Now, I am not saying that I never doubt. We are all human. But, what I am saying is when you believe, have faith, and trust in something beyond yourself the unthinkable, unimaginable can happen.

I have approximately 2 more weeks left in South Africa. It is quite hard to believe that time is flying by so fast. I am making friends. I am seeing new things. I am hearing so many African languages daily. I am seeing the beauty of Africa and it’s people. I am seeing the beauty of intelligence and the privilege of education. I am seeing a history of people who have been oppressed and who have also been liberated in a sense. I am seeing and reading the Bible in a new, liberating way. I am seeing really how good God is. This week for the first time in my life, while in prayer I unconsciously started calling God, Abba (Aramaic word for daddy, papa). I am grateful.

Tomorrow I will be going to visit a hospital called the Don McKenzie Hospital located in the Valley of 1000 Hills. This place serves a lot of people with Tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest rates of HIV and AIDS in the entire world. How intense is that! I will be visiting the hospital with a group of New York University Public Health Students. I hope to also go to this place that still preserves traditional Zulu culture. I’m going to a funeral on Saturday, another contextual bible study, then to a local church on Sunday. Next week I have class, will visit another HIV and AIDS org, the World Methodist Conference, another day with Ms. Ela Gandhi and the Gandhi Development Trust, then off to Cape Town, South Africa to spend 5 days with Sivan! Life is Good! Dare to Dream! PLEASE.

Blessings,

Argrow "Kit"

PS: I have not been taking as many pictures because I have been around people and often don’t want to seem like the tourist on campus taking pictures of daily behavior! :-p My mother turned 61 last Sunday! I do miss my family and friends. But technology is the best! The lizard in my bathroom had to be captured by the maintenance man who helped me! The lizard and I were not good roommates! Until next time...

On meeting Ela Gandhi, the Secret, and Reflections on South Africa

A couple of days ago I was blessed with the opportunity to meet and spend most of the day volunteering with Ela Gandhi. Ms. Gandhi is the granddaughter of Muhatma Gandhi. I also met and spoke with her son Kidar and others from the Gandhi Development Trust. Peace radiated from Ms. Gandhi. She was calm, cool, and seemed to extend the same peace to the politicians, volunteers, adults, and school children alike. I asked Ms. Gandhi, “What is the secret to embracing peace the way you do?” She smiled at me and noted, “Peace is something that lives within you. It is something that we are born with.” I smiled. You know what? In actuality she is right. So many times I believe we think we have to be a certain way in society to be accepted, to get ahead, to live, to function in the world. But, the reality is in a sense the light of peace is already inside of us, we just have to tap into it.

Today I watched a movie called the Secret. The movie was quite inspiring to me. It talked about the law of attraction. Whatever energy you focus on or envision is what will actually be manifested in your life. If I believe that I will never live my dream then it will never come true. But if I see my vision, if I believe it, and act on it eventually these things will come to a reality. I do believe this is true. The same goes for the peace that Ms. Gandhi spoke about. Peace, joy, happiness is inside of us and does surround us, we just need to identify it as such, hold on to it and not allow the abundance of negative or hurtful thinking to consume our thoughts. If we do, negativity is what will manifest. I’m creating me a mobile vision list/wall today. These things will come true. I know they will.

I am now at the University of KwaZulu Natal School of Theology in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. I came here to study a model of bible study called contextual bible study. More specifically they have a curriculum called the Tamar Campaign which focuses on using bible stories to focus on liberating people who have experienced gender based violence. They also have a program using the bible as a tool of liberation for people living with HIV and AIDS. On Saturday I will go into a local community to see how this curriculum is put into practice. I start auditing classes on Monday. I am meeting so many students from across the continent: Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the list goes on. It’s so interesting because though we are all from such different contexts we have so many similarities.

I have a comfortable little apartment here. Other than the fact that I saw a little gecko lizard friend in the bathroom today, I am comfortable. Sometimes, I hear some noises at night which wake me, but praise God that I am always able to go back to sleep. I haven’t ventured out as much here as of yet. But, I hope to explore some sights this weekend. I also hope to visit an HIV and AIDS hospice that is close by in a more rural area.

You know I often wonder what this life is about. I really am learning that life really is about understanding what you love and tapping into those things. Eventually, we can use these things to not only allow us to live a happy life on purpose, but we can also use these things that we enjoy as resources to serve others.

I have been having a lot of conversation with other folk about South African soap operas. There is one soap that comes on every week night at 8:00pm called GENERATION. This soap talks about so many real life issues, while also keeping the drama to keep the audience engaged. The topics go from HIV and AIDS, homosexuality, drugs, domestic violence, etc. One young lady told me that its actually a conversation starter in her home. The family speaks about these issues when the soaps are on. But, when they go off the conversation ends! Very interesting. I wonder what it would be like if we had such soaps in America. Instead of reality television, wouldn’t it be nice to have programming that is entertaining, yet socially informative assisting people with consciousness and social change. Whatever happened to this kind of programming? I remember it once existed on BET when I was a young girl. What’s up now ya’ll?! Maybe one day… oooohh America!

When I’m walking down the street most people think I am from the area and speak Zulu to me. Until I open my mouth and my North Carolinian accent comes out with a smile! I wish I could speak Zulu. The interesting thing is everywhere I have went there has been a different language spoken. There are so many tribal groups and languages here. In Giyani there was Tsonga, in Joburg there was Xhosa, in Durban there was Zulu. There is much beauty in these native tongues. Maybe one day I will be more engaged in African languages. The languages are quite beautiful and a few of them (i.e. Zulu and Xhosa) have a distinctive clicking of the tongue. I have yet to master this (fyi: the children laugh at me when I try! Lol). But, at least I try.

God is good ya’ll. Really! If you ever have dreamed of doing something in your life do not let anyone tell you that you can’t. If God put it into your spirit to dream it, to think it, then you can live it! See it, believe it, and act on it!

In Peace- Kit