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In love, grief, and SOLIDARITY

Writer's picture: A'Leeyah PonderA'Leeyah Ponder

Tigger Warning: A sensitive topic related to gun violence and suicide will be discussed in this blog post. The content may be both trigger and disheartening. Be gentle with yourself as you read the message.


On, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 two Antioch High School students died by the hands of a school shooter. The school shooter was a 17-year-old Black male who attended the school. After shooting one student, and grazing another with a bullet, the 17-year-old shot himself. Metro Nashville Public School's are on high alert; students and their parents are as well.


My heart goes out to parents, teachers, high school faculty and staff, and above all the students. I stand in solidarity with the Antioch community; and I'd like to ask that you extend prayers to Antioch High School and the wider community as well.


 

I hadn't had much knowledge of school shootings growing up. I can't recall ever being afraid that a school-shooting would happen in my Kindergarten through 12th grade, K-12, school or county; and yet, students today are plagued with the trauma of school-shootings by proxy (incl. students who have direct trauma from being present during the crisis). I presume parents with children in K-12 schools also carry similar trauma – fear that their children won't return home due to a crisis, concerns about the safety of their child(ren) when they are not in their care, and helplessness.


If this week taught me anything, It definitely taught me that we are stronger together than we'll ever be alone. When grief comes knocking, holding sacred space for one another is one of the most precious ways we can answer the door and not break when grief forces itself inside. I keep hearing the phrase "beloved community"in class, the books I read, and from ministers that share wisdom in the Divinity school space. I am beginning to arrive at its meaning for our context; and that is, we need each other to be both present and filled with love for ourselves and others [reference Matthew 22:39]. We are better together in a world that seeks to divide us by capitalistic, patriarchal, racist and economic-focused categories. We build bridges in the face of fear and horrorific traumatic events by laying down building blocks: love, hope, sympathy, courage, and empathy in community. Fear shrinks and shrivels up like a seed in the sun when it is faced by a group of people; and this is beloved community.


I'm unsure of where you find yourself as a reader. Are you doom scrolling on social media seeking asylum from the madness of our political landscape? Are you anxious about the climate crisis  – snow in the South, fires on the East Coast, and fluctuating weather patterns around the world? Are you fighting demons on the job and in your academic spaces waiting for your peace to be restored in a hopeless situation? Have you chosen to hide your hurts and pains from those you love out of fear of your concerns not being taken seriously? Whether you resonate with all of the questions or find yourself asking other questions entirely, just know we are all seeking answers in this time – I know I am.


I was at a loss for words for several hours after hearing about the Antioch High School shooting. I was left with more inquiries and points to ponder than my little heart could handle. I sat with questions like,


How many more students will have to live with the trauma of a school-shooting living in their bodies? How can we keep children safe? Is there anything we can do to avoid crisis like this, or are we all out of ways to help?

I don't have answers to any of my questions; however, my divinity school classmates cultivated a sacred brave space in class Thursday to pose our questions and talk through our feelings about the crisis, grief, and the ways we can provide spiritual care to others and ourselves. Beloved community is what we, our class, needed in a situation where we couldn't help but to sit in our questions – and it made a world of a difference.


Antioch High School, the Metro Nashville Public School community, and the city of Nashville will not be the same because of this tragedy. As we sit in our grief, concerns, and questions, I encourage you to lean on those you love. And encourage those you love to lean on you ❤️, while being so honest about your capacity. We are better together! I believe hope is not something you choose, rather it is something you fall into when the stares of life make you feel like you're winding in a downward spiral.


This song, Tori Kelley 'Questions' brings me a bit of light while I sit with my questions. I encourage you to give it a listen when you have a chance...


'Questions' by Tori Kelley; lyric video by YouTuber LyricsArt

I love you. Jesus loves you most.

Be loved. Be YOU. AND lean into your beloved community, beloved.


In grief, love, inquiry, and Beloved Community,

Miss A'Leeyah Ponder

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lpouncey
5 days ago

This song by Tori Kelly is literally everything!!! Thanks for sharing!💙

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A'Leeyah Ponder
A'Leeyah Ponder
4 days ago
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You’re most welcome💜

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