The Broken Among Us Teach Us
L@s quebrad@s de entre nosotr@s nos enseñan- por Bryan Stevenson
Lo que me sostiene es el conocimiento que tengo de que son realmente l@s quebrad@s de entre nosotr@s los que pueden contribuir mucho a nuestra búsqueda de una justicia plena e igualitaria. Cuando estás rot@, en realidad sabes algo sobre lo que significa ser humano. Sabes algo sobre la gracia. Has aprendido algo sobre la misericordia. Aprendiste algo sobre el perdón. Son l@s quebrantad@s entre nosotros l@s que pueden enseñarnos algunas cosas. Y saber que no tienes que ser perfect@ y complet@ te brinda una forma de superar el desafío que sería difícil si creyeras que eso no es posible.
Entonces les digo a mis trabajadore/as jóvenes, no puedes hacer este trabajo, no puedes estar en algunos de los lugares dolorosos en los que estamos, no puedes abrazar a los niños de los que han abusado ​​y que eso no te impacte. Vas a derramar algunas lágrimas. Es así. Y te sentirás abrumad@, te cansarás, te presionarán, todas esas cosas sucederán, y eso no significa que seas débil. No significa que no estés a la altura de la tarea. No significa que seas incompetente o incapaz. Simplemente significa que eres un ser humano. Y eso es lo que quiero: quiero seres humanos.
Entonces, lo que me sostiene es, en parte, este conocimiento de que no siempre puedo sentirme confiado, seguro y claro; que habrá momentos en los que no se sabe qué va a pasar. Y he tratado de apreciar eso.
Y me siento, a veces, animado por el espíritu de personas que han soportado mucho más. Hablé con John Lewis justo antes de su fallecimiento, y fue un gran honor conocerlo. Y simplemente le dije: "Me siento tan privilegiado por lo que hiciste". Y le dije: "He tenido días difíciles; Recibo amenazas de muerte y todo ese tipo de cosas. Pero nunca he tenido que decir, 'Tengo la cabeza ensangrentada pero no inclinada', como hiciste tú ". Y cuando te das cuenta de que esas lesiones crearon espacios que algunos de nosotros podíamos ocupar, que eran un poco menos violentos, comienzas a apreciar lo que puedes hacer.
Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Cómo te relacionas con la idea de que l@s quebrad@s de entre nosotros pueden enseñarnos lo que significa ser humano? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de un momento en el que pudiste abrazar la imperfección con un corazón abierto? ¿Qué te ayuda a dar la bienvenida a la incertidumbre?
Bryan Stevenson es el fundador de Equal Justice Initiative y autor de Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. El texto de arriba ha sido extraído de On Being.
Bryan Stevenson is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Above excerpted from On Being.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion that the broken among us can teach us what it means to be human? Can you share a personal story of a time you were able to embrace imperfection with an open heart? What helps you welcome uncertainty?
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11 Past Reflections
On Sep 1, 2023 Jaya wrote :
its been long, but when i recall...Kishan a child living on the street would narrate a story n laugh clear and loud.
how another little boy ganesh, sitting on the tracks among rats and human fecas burning with fever said " i am fine, no i have money for food, but no medicine didi".
how another little boy ganesh, sitting on the tracks among rats and human fecas burning with fever said " i am fine, no i have money for food, but no medicine didi".
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On Jan 14, 2021 Guru Raj wrote :
The context or focus of this piece is on change-agents gathering themselves in the face of difficult odds and persevering despite their all too human reactions engendering some dis-empowerment. It is quite inspiring and true.
When "broken-ness" is taken out to a wider context, it occurred to me that the abusive boss, the megalomaniac leader, the rapacious businessman or any person in power in various situations behaving unconsciously - are too all "broken" in a way. The only difference is that they acquire or get to keep some material or psychological advantage over the other "broken" persons. Most of us will find ourselves switching between these positions - oppressor and the oppressed - in small ways.
I have found it valuable to see this dynamic and keep working to get an acceptance and equanimity and in-the-moment awareness and responsiveness. It is a long scale of evolution and much patience is needed.
When "broken-ness" is taken out to a wider context, it occurred to me that the abusive boss, the megalomaniac leader, the rapacious businessman or any person in power in various situations behaving unconsciously - are too all "broken" in a way. The only difference is that they acquire or get to keep some material or psychological advantage over the other "broken" persons. Most of us will find ourselves switching between these positions - oppressor and the oppressed - in small ways.
I have found it valuable to see this dynamic and keep working to get an acceptance and equanimity and in-the-moment awareness and responsiveness. It is a long scale of evolution and much patience is needed.
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On Jan 13, 2021 Ragunath Padmanbhan wrote :
Well, The Broken Among Us has a static-truth to it. Yet, to think that they can contribute more than the yet-to-be broken is a reactive perspective. It is skillful to share this perspective with the broken among us for a limited time until they rebuild and come stronger out of their brokenness. To hold space for that rebuilding to happen is more important than continuing to amplify the advantages of the brokenness which goes in the same direction as glorifying poverty or any other inequality. The mere experience of suffering does not automatically make a person wise. Yes, it makes the quest for wisdom more urgent. But for that quest to make progress, wholesome people and spaces are inevitable.
I am reminded of what Bo Lozoff said (as a guest speaker at Chromite) in response to someone asking him where he thought the world was heading. He said, "It is all going to get much worse. When that happens, it is places like this (Awakin) and the people in it who will become the refuge for... [View Full Comment]
2 replies: Manoj, Guru | Post Your Reply
On Jan 9, 2021 David Doane wrote :
We're all broken and wounded, some minimally and some very much. People can gain valuable and deep wisdom from being broken and wounded, and we can learn from their experience. Having worked with broken for years, I agree you can't not be impacted -- it's important also to have clear boundaries and take care of yourself or you're not of much good to the other and will likely burn out quickly. I embrace imperfection with an open heart when I care and relate to what is present and not to assumptions, expectations, prejudices, predictions, or preconceptions about what is present. What helps me welcome uncertainty is knowing that uncertainty is all there is. We live in uncertainty. It is always uncertain what is going to happen, and I am more content accepting that than fighting or denying it.
1 reply: Beverly | Post Your Reply
On Jan 8, 2021 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
We as human beings are imperfect and we all have gone through trying and hard times. Life is not always a bed of roses. It has also sharp thorns. It hurts. There have been times when my heart has been broken. My dreams were shattered. I have learned the value of wholeness from my brokenness. Heart breaks have taught me how to heal my wounds, recover myself, and lift myself up from the falls.Suffering is human. How do we face it and what do we learn from it is up to us.
I have gone through many difficult situations and have learned lessons from them. There were times when I felt heavy weight of emotional pain. Where there was a little light and I did not know how to walk on the the dark lanes of my life. Being with people who have endured hard times in theirlives and their empathic understanding, supportand kindness helpedme emerge from the blinding darkness. Going through difficult times in my life made me understand my own suffering and suffering of others. The words of John Lewis ar... [View Full Comment]