“May it be so, may it be so.” Such simple words quietly entered into my spirit. These words spoken by Columbia University’s Chaplain Jewelnel Davis at my Commencement ceremony. Sure, at my graduation we had speakers who spoke, musicians who played music, and singers who sang— but it was something about those words that sat with me and still sit with me until this very moment. After Chaplain Davis said these words, I remember her closing her book and stepping away from the podium with solemnity.

Short excerpt of Chaplain Davis’ inspiring speech during Columbia University’s 2019 Commencement

We are steadfastly crossing the threshold of my birthday month and it has been nearly a year since I last heard such a simple epithet. I have always been quietly meditating on this phrase, waiting that the meaning would manifest itself at some ordained time.

Whatever it may be, let it be so. There is a release of the hands that rest at the wheel that must take place in order for the desires of your heart to be willed into being. These words allow me to reflect fondly on all of my undergraduate opportunities, understanding that destiny is present and influencing the present moment.

I was extremely privileged to study abroad multiple times during my final semester at Columbia. In the beginning of January, I was chosen by the Office of the University Chaplain to take part in a group research project that focused on the religions, cultures, and communities of Tunisia. The Kraft Global Fellowship (KGF) program is spearheaded by Chaplain Jewelnel Davis. As mentioned in Chaplain Davis’ speech, Columbia University is able to produce global leaders; opportunities like KGF allow students to refine global perspectives and facilitate international discourse. This is a program that Chaplain Davis has put her heart and soul to continuously nurture interfaith dialogue and to promote intercultural awareness on Columbia’s campus and its global centers, in the greater New York City area, and beyond.

Whatever it *may be**, let it be so.*

Tunisia was the origin seed that created a deep forest. It was the boat that launched a thousand fleets. I was able to refine the way that I see paradigms and interact with the world. Assumptions have changed. Visions are refocused.

The required coursework of the Kraft Global Fellowship mandated that I thoughtfully evaluate the relationship between sight and sound, history and present, I and the world.

The week spent in Tunisia was a catalyst that reframed my approach to learning. As a result, I was afforded tools and new frameworks to soak in every moment during my time in Senegal.

Chaplain Davis gave me the push that I needed to study abroad in Senegal for my final semester even with all of the trepidation and fear that I felt. All aspects of my movement felt ordained. Our Tunisian tour guide referred to Tunisia as the “Gateway to Africa.” After traveling as a Kraft Global Fellow, I was able to experience Senegal with a higher level of consciousness. I was able to directly engage with diverse and competiting perspectives to bolster my understanding of citizenship and its responsibility on a local, national, and global level. I was able to look inwards and engage in reflective practices even in difficult situations and changing environments.

My sincere appreciation to the Office of the Chaplain for affording me this opportunity. I am grateful that you trusted me to be a beneficiary of an experience that has aided my preparation to become a doctor. My entire approach to medicine has become more crystallized because of the experiences that I have had in Tunisia and Senegal.

Assumptions have changed.

Visions are refocused.

May it be so, may it be so.

This powerful, yet simple phrase reminds me to surrender to the it. Whatever it may be. Take peace in the unknown. Accept the variables. Never be so quick to define the it, but remain excited to experience it. The it is able to transform, shape-shift, and levitate.

It takes us for a ride so that we might be able to transform, shape-shift, and levitate.

The issues of ushering in a diverse cadre of future physicians has always been important. The current stakes have only magnified the issues that have always been experienced by communities of color. Institutions should be dogged in their determination to invest in the next generation of black and brown leaders that will make a sizable contribution to every facet of society. Being a physician-scientist is a matter of life and death for me. The world needs my talents (even those which have yet to be nurtured). The nature of my being is intertwined with my passion to become a doctor. Every single sector is being called upon to attack these different areas of “TESTING,” “TRACING,” and “TREATMENT.” The solution is simple: all hands on deck. We all need a seat at the table in order to solve our problems.

There is no more running from the collective issue of our problems. COVID-19 has “revealed” this reality to those individuals who have chosen to look away. What we, as a collective society, now know is that our health (as a community) is tied to our humanity. If you get sick, there is a high probability that I will get sick too. Our humanity is defined by the connectivity we choose to engage with. Our lives are intertwined.

Our humanity is defined by the connectivity we choose to engage with. Our lives are intertwined.

Believe it or not, our world has been prepared for social distancing. Technology allows us to be so close to one another, yet so far from each other’s realities. I argue you that we have been prepared for this moment. We were always complaining that meal-time with families have more “screen-time” than “face-time.” Our technology provides us a mini-data report of shame statistics surrounding our “screen-time.” There is an explicit shame regarding the amount of time we spend on our favorite social media platforms. In turn, we applaud those who are able to “deplug” from society. We have to stand 6 feet apart, which is only just a physical manifestation of the 6 degrees of separation that have been built into our social DNA.

Technology is being hailed as a savior for our relationships, but this relationship is not simple. Technology does not provide the antidote, it is simply treating the symptom of our decaying relationships. We are realizing the intricacies and listening to the complexities of our relationships with our loved ones. We are forced to live with ourselves and listen to every thought— lasting or fleeting. We hold on to the fleeting thoughts and pull onto them like a deep thread. Not because we want to do so, but because we have time. We search for the source. The point of origin. The genesis. We do this because we know that there is deeper—a depth that we are striving to penetrate.

The call for healthcare providers, first responders, scientists, researchers, public health experts, humanitarians, philanthropists has extended to the corners of our society. All of the world’s finest institutions and scholars are racing to create data models, vaccines, and treatment. Tech experts have been marshaled to expand the technology needed for tracing. While these individuals often maintain the spotlight in the news and media, our humanity should remain at the core of the conversation. The globality of our personhood should rise to our conscious. We should not ignore this moment. Recognizing and respecting our membership in the world is an act of heroism. We are the heroes that protect our communities, our neighbors, and our loved ones.

This is not a DC comic book. This not a Marvel Superhero saga. No one person is going to save us. We need to save each other. This is real life. Let us rise to occasion and seize our moment.