It's graduation season. There is nothing I enjoy more than days of grad parties, free food and champagne, and taking pictures with people happy that they're finally finished the long haul of procrastination, projects, and papers. And while I relish those opportunities, there’s also an underlying sense of dread that also comes with the territory.
It’s that same bittersweet feeling you get after the credits start rolling on a really good movie - satisfaction at the enjoyable two hours you had, and sadness that it’s all coming to an end. To me, someone who thinks in TV terms, graduations are the season finales of another long, hard season, and it’s time to say goodbye to a couple more characters before we meet the new ones in the seasons to come. This one was particularly hard, with a lot of the people who mentored and parented me heading off to greener pastures, leaving me feeling a bit adrift.
When it comes down to it, graduation means change, and I hate change. I get easily content with getting comfortable with my friendships and relationships, and it can be hard to accept that there is something better out there. As much as I might aspire to be better and do better, it sounds easier and ore appealing to stay with my aunt or uncle on Tatooine and disregard the call for adventure.
But that wouldn't be a very interesting movie, would it? Movies, and more importantly, real life, are about taking on new challenges to further make the world better and yourself better. Eight months into this, I'm still working on battling (and occasionally beating) many of the same villains I was when I started writing: self-esteem and procrastination to name a few. Change takes continual effort, and it's hard and painful but also NECESSARY if we're to grow and see the rest of everything life has to offer us, whether fighting for a seat at the political table or even just fighting to sit down at your own table and enjoy a meal.
In the midst of all these changes come another right here at the Odyssey: this week is my last week writing, and I am so grateful to all of you who have read and shared my articles every week. Thanks for engaging in conversation with my thoughts, and thanks for the lovely messages about how a particular thought resonated or hit home for you. Over the past eight months, I’ve appreciated each and every one of you who have traversed with me to think about race, politics, and pop culture in a more personal, empathetic way. I hope I got you to think about an issue in a different or more meaningful way. Even though my time here at the Odyssey is up for now, with all ends come new beginnings, and the chance to continue participating or adding in to existing and continuing dialogues like the ones we’ve started here. Be open with each other, and allow room to give grace for when others mess up (which they will). Live honestly and respectfully, and make room to expand your bubble past your comfort zone. Positive change is not stagnant and not easy, so don’t sit back and just wait for it to come - take action.
I'm off to find new ways to connect and work with people to better ourselves and better our world, and I hope you can join me in that effort. It's a new season, and the opening titles are rolling - and who knows what's gonna happen next?
