Dr. Vivien Thomas

Ahhh, I have a new favorite movie. Something the Lord Made with Mos Def and Alan Rickman. It's the story of a young apprentice who worked alongside Dr. Alfred Blalock, the first surgeon to ever perform heart surgery. Pretty amazing when you consider all the cardiac surgery departments that now exist. Over 1.75 million heart surgeries are performed every year in this country. In 1930 it was accepted to be impossible. But what was so striking for me about the story was not so much the remarkable accomplishments of Dr. Blalock, those speak for themselves.

I am struck by the tale of a man, so humble, intelligent and honorable. Vivien Thomas had a passion--a passion for medicine, scientific discovery, for helping people, and living out his dreams. In spite of the racism, the scrutiny and the oft-times debasing encounters he had at Johns Hopkins University and in the social gatherings of those considered more highly than he, he continued to strive in the way of his passion. The "Dr." salutation was a long time coming, a very long time coming as revealed by the film, but it belongs to him. I admire his wife's loyalty, her ability to see something bigger than herself and to truly believe in her husband, in deed (even if not in the deepest crevices of thought).

The poignant story touched me more deeply than anything I've seen recently. It took me back to the times of the early 20th century, 1930, when ambition and purpose seemed more prevalent among us. After years of subordinacy, we edged our way into an existence of resistance. We knew what we were fighting against--social, moral and intellectual inferiority, degradation, low expectations, and absurd declarations of "insolvency." People like Thomas and his family developed within their families a sense of pride, and purpose. His grandfather's quote was: "I spent too much time showing you gratitude for freedom when I wasn't really free."

To watch how the doctors, especially those other than Blalock, responded to Thomas' mere presence with disdain and disbelief--agh! I shuddered, saying so many times to myself, "I can't watch this; I can't watch this." Yet he pressed on, making contributions to the doctor's work that enabled his work to even exist. So emblematic of how this country--it's greatest feats, its premier status--was and is built on the backs of the people!

I appreciate the doctor's own determination, his boldness, ability to face all that opposition, discouragement and envy, yet still employ Thomas--trust his judgment, and honor his skill, albeit to a very low degree considering his actual talent and skill. Beneath his worth, if you will.

The quote that probably touched me to the very most from that beautiful movie was when Thomas said, "To the world I am invisible. I thought it was different in here [the lab]." I am invisible. To the world I am invisible. I do not matter. I do not show up in pictures. When the camera man comes, I am uninvited. When the commendations go forth, my name is an unwelcome vapor. I am invisible. He contributed so much, provided the guidance, the foundation, the research to all that was being accomplished, yet he was invisible. Appalling.

I am reminded of Langston Hughes' declaration:

I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

Bless God. I can't wait to tie this all together for a lesson in my class, with the students who have lost touch with the struggles of the past, who believe the only thing to resist is education, school, family, structure--all those things which proved our greatest strengths throughout history. I remember we read A Lesson Before Dying and the students grew engaged in a way I hadn't seen before. They were excited about their (our) history, and empowered by the strengths of the characters. I look forward to helping that happen again.

is it just me...

or is the world moving just a little too fast these days?

Maybe it has something to do with Sarai turning one already. Maybe it has to do with the number of changes I've gone through within a relatively short period of time (became a minitry leader, married, finished grad school, prego, baby, and now a toddler). But whatever the cause, things seem to be happening a bit faster than I can keep up with.

I think of the phrase, "hold that thought." Seems like I can't hold onto any thought. Far too often, I'm downstairs, just about to leave when suddenly, I remember--I need to grab some diapers for the diaper bag! I race up the stairs, two at a time, and land at the top, slightly winded. I stand there at the top, and look around: our room, baby's room, office. "Now, what did I come up here for??"

There is definitely something wrong with that picture. I'm not even 30, and I'm having problems remembering something within a span of like, 30 seconds.

I am a product of the rapid-technology generation--those of us who barely remember the world without computers (started typing and working on Macs when I was only 9 years old). I grew up on Sesame Street on TV and Street Fighter on Super Nintendo. I remember the proliferation of the Information Superhighway; while I was in middle school, I created my first online social networking profile (remember blackplanet??). And a short few years later, I opened an email account that I still use today. I have been well-connected for a while now.

Yet, I'm beginning to feel a bit encumbered by the abundance of information to which we now have access. Call me crazy, but...I'm starting to miss the days of less information! Less news to consider, fewer points of view to navigate through, fewer distractions, fewer messages torpedoed my way!

Now, there are always emails to respond to, startling status updates, text messages galore. Family is a fragmented concept; friendships are virtual; and neighbor almost equates with phantom.

We can spend hours behind computer screens, focus intently on teeny text message apparatuses, and read news line by line without blinking an eye. Yet spending more than a moment in prayer has become laborious, seeing each others' hearts is like trying to see through a dark mosaic veil, and watching the sway of the trees is only a foreground for our incessant thoughts.

But like I said,
maybe
it's just
me.

Responses to Undesired Attention from Guys

Today, while at the mall with 2 friends: 25 and 26 years old, I was astonished. I had already sat down to eat when I saw a teenage boy (maybe 18/19) come up to the 26-year-old and try to get her #. She replied a simple, "not interested," to which he responded with a long wordplay about what he should call her, "not"? She could not get him to leave her alone until she walked away from him swiftly. Couldn't even enjoy her time with friends at the mall because of such an annoying intrusion.

It has always bothered me how we as young women are often approached by men (young and old) who are trying to "get at" us (or holla, mack, run game, spit, whatever you choose to call it). Then, if we are not interested, we have to be careful about how we respond to their unsolicited propositions or else we become a target.

Often, we want to be nice without just flat out saying "get out of my face." Simply saying you're not interested can result in him yelling about how you "think you too good" or calling you foul names. Offering a polite smile with a "no" can somehow translate to "yes, please keep following me." Ignoring him altogether can turn into a yelling fest you didn't ask for and don't deserve. And don't let him be with a group of his boys. Then, his poor ego is on the line. And so, then, is your safety (emotional or otherwise). I can honestly remember times as a teenager when I've given a guy a fake number just to get him to leave me alone. It's a terrible place to be in--at risk for violation, humiliation and degradation.

Now that I'm married, I don't have to deal with being in that uncomfortable space as much. Notice I didn't say anymore. I have had guys still approach me (ring, baby, and all), but it doesn't compare to what I used to go through while at the mall, walking down the street, anywhere. And, funny enough, it's now after I'm married that I can think of some strong and effective retorts.

So, to the young women who find yourselves speechless or unsure of how to get a guy to leave you alone without putting yourself in danger, here is a growing list of ideas:

1) If he is ridiculously younger than you, as in the situation I experienced today, the best thing is to really get on his level. i.e. "Excuse me young man, are you talking to me?" Or ask about his grades or how he's doin' in school, for goodness' sake! That'll stop him in his tracks.

2) It's ok to show your astonishment. "Are you serious right now?" with a bewildered look on your face. Hopefully, he'll realize your shock and back off.

3) Say emphatically: "Hallelujah, praise the Lord, how you doin' brother" while saluting him with the stiff hand wave.

4) Immediately respond: "Do you know the Lord?"--As suggested by a male friend of mine in college. Helps to cut out the dumb stuff.

5) Turn around as if looking for someone. Then, "Oh, you were talking to me? Because I'm a child of God. [pause, looking very concerned]. But God bless you." I know that doesn't make a whole lot of sense logically, but it's meant to kinda confuse him. If he really wants to know more, or if it rings a bell for him, then at least it may open the door for meaningful conversation, rather than one-sided foolishness.

"Success builds walls and failure builds bridges."

esp. for pastors & leaders...