Over the holidays, I spent a bit of time watching my favorite coming-of-age movies, those that are most often attributed to an individual’s transformative experience that takes place as they depart childhood and enter adulthood.
Recently, I have wondered if communities have coming-of-age stories. This inquiry is one awakened by an initiative I have been involved in; one to build benevolent community circles that engage in critical conversations to illuminate our shared humanity, closing the divide and extinguishing the feelings of hate that we have witnessed here and throughout the nation. I believe that coming-of-age narratives are part of a community’s history – its learning, development and, perhaps most importantly, its human experiences that seem to rise and fall over time.
When we come of age, it is thought we are more capable of making good decisions, dealing with the messiness of everyday life. It is believed that as part of this important milestone we become responsible citizens and are capable of caring for ourselves and others.
So, how does coming-of-age transformation occur in communities? If we believe the adults in a community have experienced this transition for themselves, it seems that we should be able to come together to inspire the community to do the same.
As we witness so many accounts of divisiveness, apathy and hate in Delaware and throughout our nation, it feels like we need a coming-of-age transformation.
Is it possible that a community coming of age involves an evolution of culture, to become something more, a community where benevolence is the guiding light? An important figure in my life was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His call for beloved community deeply resonated with me, and has always inspired me to seek unity and to hold others’ dignity as closely as my own. As Dr. King’s birthday nears and in thinking of his many contributions to our society, I ask myself, what am I willing to do?
This year, I support a community coming of age, one that douses divide and hate, and chooses instead to build benevolent community. I have had the great honor to be working with a group of dedicated volunteers over the past two years to create a day of promise – a Benevolent Community of Delaware Summit – and we hope you will join us Wednesday, March 20, at the Rollins Conference Center in Dover. Our time to come of age is now. More information can be found at www.createsafespace.org. To register for the summit, go to http://tinyurl.com/3mf7jpku.
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