World Peace through Inclusion Tour

Late One Night
It's after 11:00 PM – again. It always seems like I don't get around to the most important things until late. Long nights make for later starts in the morning, and the day drags on and then it's late again when I get to write the blog.

We are sitting around catching up, trying to store hours of video, kibitzing with Micah and comfortably hanging out. Tomorrow we will leave from Detroit and continue to Oak Hill Academy, Virginia where Erin went to high school. We will hook-up for a night, then continue to Tybee Beach.

Yesterday's meeting in front of Oakland's Board of Trustees was moving, disturbing and hopeful. The Trustees were as insensitive as any group of fascists could muster. People who had been given 5 minutes to speak were told they had 2. The meeting was slated for 2 hours and was abruptly adjourned after 90 minutes. The last speaker, who was given as much time as she wanted, as head of university housing clearly articulated the deeply held prejudice against Micah and all students similarly classified as "cognitively impaired". They are welcome to come and socialize, participate in activities that benefited them, even pay tuition for courses. They are NOT welcome to be students, and as such – second class participants – they are NOT welcome in the dormitories.

This statement came on the heels of dozens of heartfelt if truncated statements. The room was packed. The security guards had opened an overflow room and it was packed too. Remarkably each speaker expressed a unique perspective. It was not that several students got up to say similar things. Dozens of people spoke representing the issue from the perspective of fellow day students, more mature night students, international students who had been allowed in the dorm, student politicians, politically active people with disabilities, social workers who had followed Micah and his family for years, others who supported inclusion on other campuses, and on. Gradually it dawned on me that together the statement represented a uniquely wholistic community – a community built by Micah's many contributions to the people around him.
Afterwards 35 students, and others, gathered to debrief. The atmosphere was jovial and spirited. I was left with no doubt that the student body of Oakland U would have no other outcome then that Micah and other labeled students would be fully welcomed. Some students encouraged Micah to pack his stuff because he would soon be moving in.

I was once again privileged to witness the kind of peaceful energy that emerges in a truly inclusive situation. People were angry annd they were inspired and energized by each other and the clear discrimination they had witnessed and faced. Yet this anger and this energy were being expressed and lived in deepening relationships, humour and mutual support, and creative and thoughtful commitments to get the changes Micah needs.

Today has been a quieter, more reflective day. I am encouraged by these hopeful beginnings – Obama's victory and Micah's day of witness. We have drawn close to the Fialka-Feldman family. We have been nurtured in hospitality.

The World Peace through Inclusion is off to a blessed beginning.



Warmly;

Judith Snow