The Rose

A LETTER TO YOU, THE READER, SO THAT YOU CAN FINALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT I’M THINKING.

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THIS MONTH: Growing Hope

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Photo- courtesy of the New York Times Company.

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“We (at the Writer’s Union) think that the pen is mightier than the sword, but it helps to have a wrench sometimes.”

-Raj Patel

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Dear Readers,

I was stumped. After thinking, calling, and researching, I was at what felt like a dead end. I had every reason to believe that I was going to fail my service learning project for my Topics in Global Studies: Global Politics of Food class. There was no such thing as a local food activism nonprofit organization here in Michigan; in fact, there were a couple of times where I was told that I was crazy. But, determined not to fail, I finally called the offices of “Growing Hope”, a community garden organization located in Ypsilanti, MI, and, finally, arrangements were made for me to volunteer. I’m going there tomorrow.

I imagine that this past month of March has been quite like this community garden organization, also “growing hope”. For example, just before I left for Florida, I found out that I was not accepted to U of M. I was utterly disappointed, but I found renewed hope in the fact that Oakland University can be a great next step for me. I found that, in Florida, I was able to refresh myself before I had to come home and get back to the grind. When I first caught sight of the ocean out of the back of our condo window, I exclaimed, “The sea!”, which, while deadly, soon became a friend. In Japan, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck the northern coastline on March 11, causing a tsunami, which triggered numerous deaths and an impending nuclear crisis. And, while they seek to contain their large problems, all you hear is a restrained panic, a silent call for help. In response, some, like a farmer who committed suicide upon losing his house and crop to radiation poisoning, are giving up hope. Others, for a time, are finally imposing long-spoken-about-but-never-done-about-until-now measures. And, like in the Middle East this month, the Japanese people are suddenly rethinking, and, silently, hope is being reborn.

As I move steadily towards the final month of my college career at O.C.C., I have dutifully tilled the “seeds” which I have “planted”, which I hope will grow into good grades and a sound finish. I received notice of when graduation would be. Fantastic, but I still have to finish my semester first! But, like the rest of the world, I found that, through the pain (of toiling through my semester), I could grow some hope.

Yesterday, I met well known writer, professor and food sovereignty activist Raj Patel. I asked him, “what do I need to do to become successful as a writer?” In sum, he told me that my talent and hard work had to come first. I should worry about making money later. And, considering the fact that he comes from a working class background, I considered it sound, healing advice. It was well put; essetially, Patel told me to try to “grow some hope”, and the fruits of my labor would then follow.

Because, while the pen may be mighter than the sword, it really does need a wrench sometimes. For example, the people of Japan aren’t simply going to write their way out of this mess. No, it’s going to take more than information; it’s going to take action. So, though we as writers may feel confident that we are making a difference by putting the tools in people’s hands to take action, we need to also find culture shock in the fact that we need those few worthy souls to back us up as well. In other words, we may sow the seed, but it will not grow without the proper water, soil, and sunshine.

So, readers, what’s on my mind this month is the fact that we need to heed the warnings which are given to us daily through the vast amounts of credible information available to us and take action. After all, it’s one thing to be a fan, to have an idea, but it’s another entirely to make that idea a reality. Thus, given this month’s events, I challenge you to be more than an enthusiast with your writing, but to experience it as well.

Or, in the words of Raj Patel, as he signed them in my copy of his book, “Jessica, wishing you the best in your writing career! -Raj Patel”.

Again, thanks for reading! I love all of you! Take care!

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Sincerely, Your Writer,

Jessica McLean