Darius Simpson | Proximity | Opening Poetry Performance | SkollWF 2018

Summary

The script poetically explores themes of separation and connection, both geographically and emotionally. It reflects on how borders and distance have divided humanity, yet emphasizes that deep down, we are all connected. Through metaphors of drifting continents, mustard seeds, and shrapnel, it calls for empathy, active listening, and human proximity. The piece encourages embracing vulnerability, challenging personal biases, and being willing to cross divides—whether literal or metaphorical—to foster understanding, compassion, and unity. It highlights the power of small actions, like sharing light, to resist darkness and rebuild community.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Boundaries and borders have separated us, but we were once part of a unified whole.
• 🌊 Over time, we let distance grow between us and forgot how to reconnect.
• 🧩 We are like parts of a body, each playing a role in keeping the world moving.
• ✋ We often keep problems at a distance to avoid dealing with them directly.
• 🗣️ The distance between us is an illusion we perpetuate through conversation.
• 🌱 We are like mustard seeds lacking faith to move the mountains we originated from.
• 🌋 We are fragments of the earth, separated by tectonic shifts, but still searching for justice.
• 🕯️ There's power in our willingness to face discomfort and connect with other flawed humans.
• 👂 Our role is to listen closely, empathize, and learn before speaking or acting.
• ⚡ Proximity and connection spark change; we need to be bold and get uncomfortably close.

Q & A

What is the main metaphor used in the script to describe the division among people?

The script uses the metaphor of a 'boundary' or 'border' to describe the division among people, suggesting that these are artificial constructs that control movement and separate us.

What does the script imply about the natural state of the world before human-made borders?

The script implies that the natural state of the world was one of unity, where continents and bodies were not separated, and we were all part of one whole body.

How does the script suggest we have forgotten our interconnectedness?

The script suggests that we have forgotten our interconnectedness by allowing physical distance to separate us and by not recognizing our shared origins and the need for unity.

What is the 'rumor' mentioned in the script that we keep passing along?

The 'rumor' refers to the false belief that distance between people is necessary or beneficial, which we perpetuate to avoid confronting the truth of our interconnectedness.

What does the script mean by 'we are all just mustard seeds'?

The phrase 'we are all just mustard seeds' implies that we are small and insignificant on our own, but together we can have a significant impact, similar to how mustard seeds, though tiny, can move mountains.

How does the script encourage us to approach problems and injustice?

The script encourages us to approach problems and injustice by staying curious, seeking understanding, and being willing to connect with others, even if it means getting uncomfortably close.

What role does the speaker assign to themselves in the script?

The speaker sees themselves as a fellow traveler, not as a guide, but as someone who encourages others to keep walking and to stay curious about the impact of their actions.

What is the significance of 'candles' in the context of the script?

Candles symbolize the simple yet powerful ways we can connect with each other, by being willing to be 'burned' or to give of ourselves to bring light to others.

What does the script suggest we should do to bridge the distance between us?

The script suggests we should actively bridge the distance by engaging with others, sharing resources, listening to each other, and being willing to confront our own demons in public.

How does the script define the role of listening in our interactions with others?

The script defines listening as a crucial part of our interactions, urging us to put our ears where our eyes go and to speak only after we have listened and gained insight.

What is the ultimate goal the script aims to achieve by encouraging closeness and understanding?

The ultimate goal is to remember our interconnectedness and to love the world so hard that we start to recognize and close the gaps between us, fostering a sense of unity and empathy.