“Not Today” Justice Storytelling Week | Writers’ Circle
By Rev. Linda Furtado, Director of Spirituality and the Arts, Scarritt Bennett Center
Editor’s note: Each week we offer prompts in our online writing community including the following from Justice Storytelling Week. Prompt: Tell a story (fictional or true) about someone who stood up for justice, even when it was hard. Challenge: Keep it under 500 words while still building emotional impact. Read what our Director of Spirituality and Arts created in response.
Rev. Linda Furtado’s fictional justice story:
“Not today” was what Louise said. It was just 10 minutes before the end of class and the message was clear, Yara Rocha was different and different wasn’t good. The teacher didn’t try to say her name, didn’t acknowledge her hand during attendance, did hand her a book at the start of class, and didn’t treat her like the rest of us, like me, and like Louise. But, while I sat there frustrated and afraid, Louise stood after the teacher did the same old and predictable thing she did for weeks now as she handed out exit slips and overlooked Yara. You see, Yara only ever got hers turned in because she made her own and always got points off because it wasn’t the shape or size of the other slips we used and the teacher said she didn’t like having to grade papers for kids who lost their sheets within moments before leaving class. But this time, Louise gave Yara her slip. As she did so, She said “Not Today.” Then she sat down made her own and wrote as she spoke her answer to the exit slip question. “I will fail every exit slip until Yara gets one too.” I was shocked and inspired. Right then, without second guessing myself or worrying about the consequences, I did what Louise did. And would you believe the rest of the class did too! This is why I am here sitting in your office telling you this Principle Carre. This is why we refuse the books handed to us until Yara got her’s first, why we say her name for the teacher when she is next alphabetically on the role or respond “Present” when she is looking or feeling defeated, why we always encourage her to be first to walk in class in line and first to hand in her exit slip. We want to show her that she matters in ways that the teacher can’t take away. By our actions and our voices. We will keep showing and saying “Not Today” because it seems like people in Yara’s shoes are going to have to face people like this teacher every day as long as they live. If we are tired of it I can only imagine how she must feel. Hopefully she knows she’s not alone now. Maybe, if you care too, you can show her in ways that we can’t. I’ve realized that you don’t have to be like her or experience what she experiences, to pay attention, offer help, and be there in some way. I hope you will have your own “Not Today” moments for Yara too. But, maybe talking with Yara might be more helpful than talking to me and the rest of the class next time. She knows better than us what hurt and help look and feel like and since you are not her friend I can introduce you if you would like.
Would you like to participate? Comment with your justice story or join our online writers’ community to engage with us each week. Sign-up online at https://onlinelearning.scarrittbennett.org/writers-community.
Want to learn more about what we have to offer in creative programing? Visit the Soul Work page on our website at https://scarrittbennett.org/soul-work/.
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