A letter of appreciation to the Southside Community Center, Ithaca

Learning to be part of different communities by cultivating relationships, exchanging ways of thinking, and ways of doing things is a wonderful process that I wish every person had the opportunity to experience starting early in life.

It is heartbreaking, though, to witness how much of the conflicts and hate in the world are driven by differences or the thought that the difference would justify segregation instead of Unity. Interestingly, many of us have the privilege to have a family (first community) and still find it hard to choose to embrace diversity and easy to impose our view on beloved ones. It is a process, a learning process that takes time and practice.

In a certain way, I observe how the interaction of my multiple identities influences my sense of belongingness in the communities I am actively engaged. By multiple identities, I mean the groups or roles I find belonging at some point in my life, such as Brazilian, mother, coach, scientist, Japanese-descent, Christian, artist, wife, daughter, singer, peer, sister, friend, leader, servant, volunteer… Do you also experience how your multiple identities interact and impact the way you respond to situations in life?

How much are we willing to give up in order to connect with others who look different, or think differently or act differently from me? How many times by fear, instead of approaching and listening, do we freeze and be silent? Well, the fact is: we're all unique, so we're all different. Uniqueness means that regardless of the community and the everyday things that unite that community, it will only connect to a part of you, not the whole you. What is the purpose, then? What is your goal for belonging to a specific community?

For my family, there is a unique community we appreciate and want to formalize our gratitude in this posting. A beautiful neighborhood that was created from the need for security, safety, a call, and a cry for what today we understand as basic human needs and rights. A historical safe place and community for the black and browns in the Ithaca area. We must talk about race, speak of privileges, and talk about lamentation and healing.

"Southside Community Center (www.sspride.org) works to affirm, empower, and foster the development of self-pride among the African American citizens of greater Ithaca."

I am not black. My husband and my kids are not black. We are Brazilians, Japanese-Austrian-German-Italian descendants. We are not black, and we are not North Americans. Yet, we were welcomed and embraced by the Southside community center, our loved neighborhood. That makes Southside heartily special! There is so much I appreciate and would like to acknowledge.

In these almost two years, I witnessed thrive and hard work of empowered blacks and browns for the kids, the families, and the neighbors. Dedicated and passionate staff ready to embrace and introduce Southside to anyone who steps into the building. Special thanks for the dedication to the kids' programs: Southside Afterschool Program, Southside Summer Camp, and the Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP). The teachings on the black history in the US, abolitionism, the connection with African countries culture, the desire for cultural healing and social justice. Significant learnings and insights in how much our knowledge and education can hurt if we don't listen first, understand, and adjust to the needs. We all have a background, experiences, and the best intentions to apply our knowledge, skills, and talents. But how do we know we are serving the purpose of our community? How often do we ask for the vision and mission before imposing what we judge to be the best?

Thank you Dr. Nia Nunn, for your vision and mission to serve the local black community and continue our conversation towards a better world. Thank you, Mama Fern, Katie, Kayla, Brooke, Ppipa, Mama Sharon, Rhody, counselors, and afterschool assistants, for your time and dedication to the children and the center.

It has been a deep awareness journey to acknowledge how much there is still to learn, cultivate gratitude for new relationships meant for healing and reconciliation, and celebrate the beautiful diversity our humanity brings to the community. This relationship is a milestone that calls for gratitude and celebration to serve the world with the best usage of my gifts.

This is a letter of appreciation and an invitation to all who want to learn beyond knowledge and intellectual gains. To everyone who wants to discover their better self, know and love your neighbor.

With gratitude, love, and peace!!!

- Photos approved by the Southside leadership under release consent for the programs. -