Introducing the Summer Opinion Series: "Letters From the Exiles"

Graphic by Abby Miller and James Gocke

The opinions reflected in this OpEd are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of staff, faculty and students of The King's College.

In early March, as the Coronavirus pandemic escalated beyond control, the King’s community dispersed from its tight-knit home between Broadway and Exchange and sought a new normal. Many have gone home to old, childhood bedrooms that felt more like relics from past lives than comforting landing places. Others are still trying to figure out where “home” is. 

The class of 2020 graduated into the biggest economic downturn in recent memory and had to navigate the loss of job offers, fellowships, and a sense of stability. 

Protests, riots and righteous uproar have shaken the streets in the wake of deep injustice. With new evidence of police brutality and systematic racism, our nation is being forced to confront its longstanding failures.

As we begin to resume “normal life” again, it is important to take some time to consider the things we should keep and the things we should leave behind. How do we preserve what was good about the old life while reckoning with our extreme failures and systematic problems? 

We are commanded to “Turn away from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). But too often, that peace is equated with tranquility and negative-peace is accepted in the place of justice. 

We have lost things we can’t get back and become aware of deep-seated issues in our culture. While we will return to the city, we won’t be the same, and we shouldn’t be. 

With these questions in mind and the grueling work of learning and unlearning before us, I introduce the summer opinion series: “Letters From The Exiles.” These open letters include meditations and insights from students and recent graduates as we wander through this time of upheaval and sorrow. 

Hopefully, we will return better than we were when we left. 

-Liza Claire Vandenboom, EST Opinion Editor 20-21’