Letter Writing Season

March 5, 2017

I’ve been writing letters of recommendation for former students recently. Some of these folks are heading to graduate school, others are applying for jobs, fellowships, or some other important next move in their lives.

At any rate, I’m glad to do it. None of us “gets there” by ourselves. Rather, we achieve greatness through the collective efforts and contributions of others in ways that are large or small.

As I write these letters, I can’t help but think of the people who wrote letters, or served as references for me when I needed them.

For me, it all comes back to Ubuntu.

It all comes back to relationships. Who are some of the folks who have helped you along your path in some way? If they’re still around, reach out and let them know what their presence has meant to you.

Ubuntu,

From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins-Jones, MSW, LLMSW

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Relando Thompkins-Jones

I'm a macro social worker, social justice educator, and consultant who uses media and education to advance equity and social justice within people, organizations, and communities. I am also the Founder, Host, Editor and Producer of Social Justice Origin Stories, a storytelling project that highlights the personal stories and defining moments that have inspired individuals and organizations to labor for equity and social justice. I started Social Justice Origin Stories because I believe in the power of storytelling and making our experiences accessible to others, because I believe in the liberatory effects of social justice education, to support justice-seekers in finding community and feeling less alone given the relentlessness of oppressive systems, and hopefully to be a resource of support and reflection for those who are thinking through how they could best contribute to the work. We need all who can, to do what they can.