Professor Tala Khanmalek’s Intro to Women’s Studies class defines healing in their own terms
by Tala Khanmalek, Ph.D.
The following poem was written collectively and collaboratively by students in Professor Tala Khanmalek’s Introduction to Women’s Studies course. It is a list poem that students spontaneously self-generated
There is no single definition of healing. As the poem shows, healing is a personal and political process that can unfold in a variety of ways, which the class listed out on the board.
“I was able to understand that it is okay to feel the way I do and see how others deal with their healing.” – Kimberly Cruz
The opening quote—“the sky is for everyone”— came directly from a student, A.O. The quote highlights the fact that everyone deserves the right as well as the resources to heal on their own terms.
“By focusing on each word expressed I felt how each word holds its own story, its own history — specifically chosen to reflect the spectrum of emotions that come with healing,” said Isis Jazmin Gomez, a junior English major. “Healing is an ongoing process that we can all explore and learn more about.”
Here is the poem written by Dr. Khanmalek’s WGST 302 class:
“The sky is for everyone.” -A.O.
Forgiveness
freedom
Recovery
replenish
Let Go
acceptance
Crying
embracing
Validation
trying
Respect
change
Self-Love
process
Anger
multiple forms
Learning
loving
Difficult
growth
Letting out
without ego
Restoration
patience
Unique
panic attacks
Fear
long walks
Practice
eating
Shared experiences
that’s what healing is
