Editor’s Note: Barrett Holman Leak, a Jewish African American woman, concludes her essay on ‘Protecting My Peace’ today. Click here to read Part 1.
By Barrett Holman Leak
SAN DIEGO — My five-year plan has my full attention. It means more guitar and piano playing. It means more writing and painting. It means expanding my family. It means more nature outings. It means more building of my personal resources.
Collectively I am aware of plans to do this: Jewish organizations like ADL, IAC and others are working on educational initiatives to combat antisemitism. Organizations like the NAACP are actively resisting regressive policies and advocating for initiatives that promote equity, justice, and inclusion across all sectors of society..
Initiatives like GirlTrek are encouraging Black women to prioritize their health through physical activities and community support. This movement aims to improve access to safe places to walk, protect green spaces, and promote overall well-being. The BeWell initiative launched by the Jewish Federations of North America is a comprehensive mental health initiative aimed at supporting the mental well-being of teens and young adults in the Jewish community. Black women are leading efforts to create resilient communities by mobilizing support for local and national policies that address systemic issues and promote social justice.
These strategies reflect a holistic approach to helping each of us to protect our peace. In that way, there is hope for future change because we will be strong enough to undertake it
“It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like. And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity,” states Teja Smith, the founder of the advocacy social media agency Get Social, expressing her feelings about the election outcome.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final book was titled Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community. Yesterday, January 20, 2025 was not a day to chill. It was a day to assess, reassess and move towards fulfilling the dream of MLK. I surmise that Dr. King would be disappointed but not surprised about this current chaos.
So, here I stand at the intersection, in my skin, in my culture, in my community, as a human being who is African American, Jewish American and female. I always recognize quite clearly when one of those components is being left out of a conversation or consideration. I am very aware that collaboration between Black and Jewish communities can create a powerful alliance to combat hate, promote mutual understanding, and protect the peace and well-being of all.
Coalition building against antisemitism and racism within the Jewish community and among Jews is imperative. Inclusion of Jews of Color is necessary in leadership and conversation and in interfaith community engagement. Here’s how:
- Joint Workshops and Events: Organize workshops and events that focus on mental health, self-care, and resilience. By creating shared spaces, members of both communities can learn from each other and provide mutual support.
* - Interfaith Dialogues: Facilitate interfaith discussions that address common challenges and foster solidarity. These dialogues can help build trust, understanding, and a sense of shared purpose.
* - Support Networks: Establish support networks that include representatives from both communities. These networks can provide resources, counseling, and a platform for sharing experiences and strategies for coping with adversity.
We live in a dangerous chaotic climate of book banning, intentional dismantling of DEI in order to adversely affect non-white Americans and block them from opportunity and consideration, horrendously rising antisemitism, removal of women’s rights to their bodies’ security and healthcare, and taking away basic social care from the elderly and the poor. We are not now nor have ever been a great nation that treated everyone within it with dignity and respect.
We are a nation built on murdering indigenous people and kidnapping and enslaving Africans. We did not save the Jewish people from Hitler’s genocide when we first became aware of it. We have never been great because someone was being oppressed. You may not like that I speak that truth. We give in to evil impulses as a nation. Yet, I see the potential and I dream it will change.
In order to work towards manifestation of that community dream, in order to make a difference, I choose to protect my peace through more rest, more sleep, more writing, more music playing, better food, more nature walks and more time spent in the company of positive good people, more time with God where I ask for clarity and guidance. Doing these things, protecting my peace, I will have the strength and energy to continue to march forward and fulfill the dream.
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Barrett Holman Leak is an author, educator, and community organizer.