Growing up, I always felt like I was in a constant battle with the world around me. I saw the suppressed anger and rage in my friends, fueled by a system that often failed to understand or nurture us. We were quick to anger, and slow to forgive—our frustrations often boiling over in destructive ways.
Therefore, my journey into education wasn't just a career choice; it was a calling, a mission to change the narrative for kids who were just like I used to be. I saw myself in them—in their struggles, their outbursts, their desperate need for guidance and understanding. I started out stern and strict, molded by my own experiences with authority figures who believed in 'tough love.'
But with time, I realized that what these kids needed wasn't just discipline, but empathy, a chance to be heard, and tools to channel their pain into something positive. Embracing the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), I transformed my approach to teaching and mentoring. I shifted from enforcing authority to fostering understanding and empathy. This new focus on compassionate listening and expressing oneself authentically helped me connect with students on a deeper level.
"Reflections of a Troubled Black Man," is the culmination of my experiences and insights, encapsulating my life's journey and the transformative power of empathy and understanding. It serves as a practical guide for individuals facing similar struggles, offering strategies to transform fear and pain into strength and passion.
The book is not just my story; it's a roadmap for personal and systemic change, deeply rooted in the principles of Nonviolent Communication. By sharing my story, I aim to empower others to turn their adversities into opportunities for growth and to inspire change within the educational system and beyond.
Review
"Pain pushes you, and purpose pulls you," writes educator, Morris Ervin, in his beautiful, real, painful and purposeful book. This is not a sugar-coated version of the push-pull journey of a troubled and brilliant Black man finding his way in today's America. Rather it is a window into the everyday challenges of turning anger and rage into power and love. It is the story of one man whose purpose is to teach and heal others, but it's our story too. Anyone who wants to keep his or her heart open and vulnerable, even when facing personal problems and conflict, even in a world of violence and injustice, will be inspired by Ervin's life, service, and transformation.
- ELIZABETH LESSER: Co-founder, Omega Institute, and author of bestselling books, including Broken Open and Cassandra Speaks
