In my role as DEI Officer for Berkshire Health Systems, I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing people. It has been an experience where I have learned and grown as a human being and a leader. I discovered the judgments and biases I carried had an impact on how I cared for people and how I treated them. It wasn’t the outward reactions that you could see. It was those internal thoughts that I carried with me. I learned as a nurse to cover those feeling but I never truly dealt with them.
As the DEI officer, I had to come to terms with my judgements and how they impacted me. I learned that I was not becoming the person I wanted to be. I wanted to be the person who honored dignity not just for myself but for others. It is challenging to look at yourself and confront your flaws, but I did back in 2022 and I was introduced to a new world because I became more open about who I was and more open to hear from others even when their thoughts and ideas might be different than mine. Don’t get me wrong, I still have biases and opinions, but I do not allow them to steer me away from what is important and that is embracing dignity. Because I have chosen to live my life with dignity, I have learned so many things. I want to share an experience I had yesterday evening that gave me a different perspective on people who are recovering from substance use and alcohol use.
Every second Thursday of the month we have our BIPOC in Recovery Group. It is an opportunity not only to hear from our Black and Brown communities in recovery, but it is a chance to help them with life skills that will support them as they continue their journey. Yesterday I learned that the road to recovery is not just avoiding substance use but it is in trying to rebuild those relationships that were lost. Substance Use Disorder not only impacts the person but also their family and friends. It is a disease that not only robs you of your dignity but that of those closest to you. Asking for forgiveness and earning back the trust of friends and family can be the most challenging part.
The men that I heard speak last night talked about the healing of themselves but also the healing of those important relationships in their lives. From parents to siblings to children and friends it can be a difficult journey in asking for forgiveness and then receiving it. These men are on that path, and I could see the joy they showed in knowing that those who they thought they lost forever are back in their lives. This will continue to be an ongoing journey for them. I do not know what the future holds, but I will always remember the happiness and joy they shared on their road to recovery.
My journey of dignity gave me an opportunity to experience what healing looks like. It showed me what forgiveness can do. It gave me an opportunity to share a moment with some amazing people who as facing the challenges in their lives with grace and dignity. Getting to know them has made me a better man and helped me to remember that honesty, kindness, compassion, and dignity can open your eyes to a world unseen. A place where forgiveness changes everything.
Charles Redd
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 