The Love We Give | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Love We Give

36
The Love We Give

“There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.” ~ Nikki Giovanni


Negativity is a void that drains the life and light out of people and environments. This black hole of human emotion fuels depression and stokes the embers of doubt, shame, fear, and self-loathing. I have known the pain and anger of feeling unwanted, insufficient, and ugly. I have moved forward from those dark moments, but still know people who suffer under the judgmental gazes of others who claim to love them. I know beautiful people who look at themselves in despair, and I have known people who go to great lengths to strip away every bit of esteem and confidence to keep the people they "love" from leaving, becoming free.

I was a sophomore in college the first time I read "Ego-Tripping". This poem is the other side of the spectrum from that self-deprecating mindset, and I struggled to comprehend what it meant. I simply knew that it was magnificent. Nikki Giovanni's words give me pause in this hurried life where the desires of the mind and body are all but instantly accessible; that includes food, music, sex, drugs, movies, and information. We have it all at our fingertips, and somehow there are people who fail to cling to repugnant antics and grasp the many thrills within this ride of life.

Nikki Giovanni is many things to many people. For me, she has always been an inspiration. Her words are captivating, breathing subtle intent in effortless waves.

"We are Virginia Tech

We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did nothing to deserve it, but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, neither do the invisible children walking the night away to avoid being captured by the rogue army, neither does the baby elephant watching his community being devastated for ivory, neither does the Mexican child looking for fresh water, neither does the Appalachian infant killed in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy." ~ from "We are Virginia Tech"

No one, indeed. Yet, we are confronted with tragedy every day. While many are inconvenienced by Twitter feeds, news reports, and Facebook shares,


I am an Audible lover, and I just finished "reading" Born a CrimebyTrevor Noah.

This book adeptly swathes the tragedies of human agendas with humor. Throughout the book, I found myself picturing the thickness of inequality underscored by the confinement of one's skin color. Trevor Noah brings friends, family, and antagonists to life while painting an intricate picture of South Africa in fits of brutality and beauty. More than anything, Trevor goads me to continue my reflection on freedom.

In the same vein, I am (I think) nearing the end of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Pardon the pun, but this is a good bookend to Noah's tale because it brings that struggle of race and oppression from South African Apartheid to the urban streets of the United States where many argue the very real presence of modern slavery, forced racial separation, and the presence of legal racism. These are books about freedom.

I've been thinking about freedom (or at least my understanding of freedom) more often in light of Trump's attempted infringement on American freedom through policy. These thoughts send me into a tailspin, flashing images of peaceful protesters being pepper sprayed, fire hose & dog attacks during the Civil Rights Movement, crosses burned on front lawns, the shooting of Amadou Diallo, the lynching of Emmett Till, the shooting of Tamir Rice, the arrest and death of Sandra Bland, riots, riots, and more riots.

It takes a while for me to cope with the sights of Walter Scott being shot in the back and the withering sounds of Eric Garner repeating the words, "I can't breathe". There is not one all-encompassing answer to heal wounds that we never let close. There is only progress, and the words that help me understand that inevitably come from artists, singers, rappers, authors, and (of course) poets like Nikki Giovanni. For all the talking that we do, it is difficult to decipher what is being said with all the shouting that precedes violence. Maybe that's why we only have one mouth and two ears; the better to hear you with, my dears. Love.


“I'm glad I understand that while language is a gift, listening is a responsibility." ~ Nikki Giovanni

(Picture: Courtesy of my fantastic wife, Jen.)

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

942
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments