Working Through Tragedies last Tuesday

On April 28th, I attended a program sponsored by the California Endowment featuring Elizabeth Alexander, Yale professor, poet and writer.  The program was about writing to heal from trauma and tragedies.  Dr. Alexander was featured at President Obama's 2009 inauguration, reciting a poem she wrote for the occasion.  She has writing a book entitled "The Light of the World," a memoir about the sudden death of her husband two years ago.  She wrote the book about their love and 16 year relationship, his life, recipes, and their children as a part of her healing and working through her grief. She read from the book and discussed the healing process through writing by hand on paper which she described as more emotional, physical, with feelings coming out of your body.

The program also featured staff and youth from "Inside Out Writers."  This program was founded in 1996 to work with youth in juvenile halls in Los Angeles as well as with youth after their incarceration.  Three of the youth read about their lives, trauma, self hate, and hope.  They stated that writing is a life line, it takes courage to tell who you are.  The youth also express through art, dance, music, and poetry.  One stated that painting is a miracle.

Dr. Alexander stated that we grieve the loss of love and it is important to share, give to others and move the pain outwards.  "Extreme circumstances take us to the core of who we are...Writing stabilizes us when we are feeling upside down."

Other important messages from the evening include:

.  Vulnerability is a position of strength.
.  The grief process isn't easy and it shouldn't be.
.  When I have to get it out, that makes the pen move.
.  We all must bare witness to the art of baring witness to pain and trauma.
.  It is important to acknowledge that writing and expressing feelings is hard but is important...one needs to keep doing it.

I am now reading Elizabeth Alexander's book and feeling her love and her pain.  I recommend it because it is a beautifully account of pain and loss to which we can all relate.

One can learn more about the work in the juvenile halls through their web site:  insideoutwriters.org