I was on the train on Monday morning heading back to SB for Spring Quarter (last  but not the least), I was gonna make it back just in time for my class at 3.30 and I couldn't help myself from thinking, *FULL CIRCLE* ... The class I was going to was CH ST 169 "Religion and Social Movements- Spirituality, Sacrifice and the Struggle for Social Justice" by the phenomenonal Professor Ralph Armbruster-sandoval (You're the best!  )
I met Ralph (yes he allows us to use his first name) last Spring... I saw this event on facebook: "UCSB Hungry for Justice: Fasting for Solidarity, Dignity and Integrity" (https://www.facebook.com/events/464204686994624/) just the title and the description matched the hunger burning up within me and drove me to attend the event. The event was well organized and we talked about the different issues that we were fasting about... for example, Education Equality - I joined in when Yoel Haile was talking about the BSU demands for institutional change (which I had the privilege of witnessing the take off and later victory) At that point Yoel was the only one I recognized at that event and we were repping the black community amidst mostly latino folk. The next topic, Suicide Prevention is what gripped me the most... We sat in a big circle and my heart was in my stomach as some people shared personal stories about loved ones they had lost to suicide :'((( We then transitioned to the mental health topic and more people shared about their struggle with depression. Some people shared how it seems to be a never-ending struggle for those who have eyes to see the state of our world and to be in touch with the suffering of others. Others shared ways they alleviate themselves from this struggle such as journaling... This struggle with depression struck home for me and I felt compelled to share... Though I didn't know anyone I felt so safe in that space that was created and though there was still a risk I was sick of letting such moments pass me by with my heart exploding within me so I jumped on it and spoke up... I shared an overview of my story (which I'll reiterate for you in another post), some past experiences, how God set me free from depression giving me back my voice -which I gave away the day I decided to remain silent- and then I even went ahead to share some prophecies about what God was going to do for our communities. Novelty can be a gift  Freely sharing my story, my burdens and my hope was so empowering for me in spite of the imperfection and incompletion.
After that we walked over to the labyrnth which I never knew was for meditation purposes (thought it was just art lol). So we walked in with all our cares and worries and at the middle is where we were meant to release the tension and negative energy so we made a circle and held hands then... Ralph asked who would like to say a prayer or something? I was surprised and excited that he asked because I actually felt moved to pray after people shared their stories so when this opportunity arose I volunteered myself... I didn't pray a raw God-is-Greater-and-More-Powerful-so-fire-fall-down-from-heaven-and-let-freedom-reign African style prayer ... but more cautiously and self-consciously, I prayed for Peace in our hearts, our families and our school.
After that is when I found out that that event was actually put on by the CH ST 169 class, that's when I met Ralph who commented that it's not everyday he meets a woman of faith... I told him that I'm not from here, where I'm from I have the freedom to acknowledge my whole self. But it's been quite the journey to remember who I am. So that's how I met Ralph and other amazing people like Rosie, and Rigoberto - who gave me a hug before I left. It's crazy how much love you can receive from perfect strangers 
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  • Charlene Wambũi Macharia