A Visual Reflection by Fellow Anna Hickman, '21

Mar 9

“If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.
― Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon

As a graduating student in 2021 America, there are almost a humorous number of challenges, events, decisions, memories, and systems to reflect on--many of which I considered writing about. Still, I’ve opted not to for the sake of attempting to break a mental rut that goads me to try to find the perfect mystic or academic answer to what seems like unending processing of violations against human dignity alongside existential questions of vocation. It is a deep rut, I confess.

Instead, I will speak in color: red, gold, and black; red for the blood spilled, lives lost, and rebellion of placidity; gold for the small but weighty truths that remain in the fire; black for grief, lies caught hold, and also things yet revealed.

Amidst the chaos, I have few words to offer. So, I will speak in images and invite you to hold them with you, to sit with uncertainty.