Waukon: A Star Wars Story
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Waukon: A Star Wars Story
John Paul Derryberry
During "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," there is a line that hits you right in the face, "Rebellions are built on hope." Hope evokes an emotional response that communicates to us even in the face of insurmountable odds. We have to believe there is a reason to fight back. We have to have hope for better days ahead. In moments of fear, desperation, and seemingly insurmountable odds, we can turn to our old friends and our community and start with a simple first step: hope for better days.
Wednesday night, in Waukon, Iowa, a large group did just that. A community came together and started a rebellion. The reason why who, how and what caused this community to go through a painful stretch is not needed to understand what they accomplished Wednesday night. Know that a hurting community decided to stick together in a time of crisis instead of falling apart. They laughed, cried, and shared stories. And, they did it together.
Rebellions aren't just about fighting an oppressive regime. They are about challenging the status quo. They are about communicating with everyone that we do not accept the situation. They are about protecting, educating and providing opportunities for those who do not have access to them. Rebellions are about looking around and seeing that no one is standing up to what is going on. And then, looking in the mirror and saying, "Fine, I'll be the hero." Wednesday night, from young to old, we had 360 people stand up and say, "I will be a hero."
The people of this community will come out of this situation better, not because they had me in to speak, but because they dared to challenge the status quo. They want to change the culture of their community. They want to support each other in their healing journey to growth and understanding. It won't be easy. Rebellions never are. They know there will be days when they want to give in. They know there will be days where it seems all their progress was lost. During those times, they will turn to each other for help. The people of Waukon also know there will be days of celebration and there will be days of remembering lost loved ones. They will weave the best qualities of those loved ones into the fabric of who they are becoming.
As I wrapped up my talk, many stayed after to share, cry, laugh and talk with me about their lives. One mom and a young teenager came up and shared their story. Through her tears, the young teenager said, "I want to do what you do when I get older. I want to speak to people and help them understand pain and grief and how to become better people because of it." Every rebellion needs great leaders, and I think the rebellion at Waukon just found one because she talked about life beyond her pain. She spoke of hope. And, remember, rebellions are built on hope.
I want to thank St. Patrick’s Parish for hosting a community mental health night, and I want to thank them for picking me to be apart of it. It is a night I will not soon forget. I’m proud to be a member of their rebellion and may the force be with you.