In Conversation with Monica Mische

You write in your essay about the fear that you experienced in the run-up to Donald Trump's election as president. How are you feeling now about the state of our country?

The 2020 election definitely brought me more sleepless nights and, at times, a renewed sense of fear. It underscored how fragile our democracy is and how divided we are as a nation. I think of our Constitution, created to promote "a more perfect Union.” A noble vision, but the journey to realize it has been painful. As we have evolved as a country, we have broadened our vision of the common good as well as of who is worthy, of who belongs. However, we are not there yet. We are reaching toward something we cannot quite see. We slide back, take missteps, erupt into violence. I think, however, that we come close to it when we attend to the dignity of all human beings, listen to their voices. That's what gives me hope. Though obscured by fractured media and nine-second soundbites, voices of light are out there. We just need to listen.

As an English professor at a community college in Maryland you teach students who are deeply impacted by COVID-19 and immigration policies. How has your teaching affected you during this particularly turbulent time in our nation's history?

I love my job, and I feel blessed to teach where I do, at the most diverse community college in the continental United States. Many of our students are low-income, first generation, immigrants, or children of immigrants, and they have been hit hard by COVID-19, working longer hours to help cover rent and food as well as mentoring younger siblings and caring for relatives who have fallen ill. Like so many, our students are struggling with the mental health impacts of quarantine: isolation, low motivation, anxiety, depression. It’s heart-wrenching to witness, especially from a distance. (Our classes are still on Zoom). However, since I teach writing, I have the honor and joy of reading students’ words. In my Intro to Writing courses, I offer a novella project where students narrate personal journeys. The topics vary widely: leaving their homelands, celebrating family bonds, mourning the loss of loved ones, rebuilding lives after personal tragedy, pursuing dreams. They write with such openness and vulnerability. We don’t use a textbook. Instead we read and write about each other’s stories. It’s tremendously moving.

How and where have you found deep beauty in the past year?

One unexpected silver lining is that, on the recommendation of one of my daughters, I’ve taken up yoga. It’s just 20 to 30 minutes a day in my living room, but it’s really helped me stay balanced and calm during quarantine. Another has been twilight walks through the woods near my home. It’s an urban forest preserve smack between two major highways, but immediately upon entry, it feels like I’ve entered another world. It brings me peace, a sense of transcendence.  A third is a text chat I’m on with my mom, my two sisters, and all of our kids. We share memories, jokes, recipes, pictures of pets and gardens. We’ll reach out to each other when we’re having a rough day and receive back accolades and support. Although we are scattered across the country, in some ways we are more connected than ever. I’m appreciative of the technology that allows us to bridge the gap across miles and generations.