Me, Myself, the Writer: Introducing My Alter Ego

Summary

Dr. K. Thomas, a poet and essayist for Illumination and Illumination-Curated, shares their journey of using writing on Medium as an outlet to process the isolation, loneliness, and grief during the early summer of 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Dr. K. Thomas introduces their alter ego as a writer who found solace in writing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In early summer 2020, overwhelmed by the news of the pandemic, Dr. Thomas isolated themselves, channeling their emotions into writing. They wrote about their personal experiences, the challenges of education during crises, and the impact of the pandemic on daily life. Dr. Thomas's essays and poetry reflect on the historical context of the pandemic, the struggles of being a Black woman during COVID-19, and the power of writing as a means of coping and teaching. They published their first article, "Schooling in a Time of Crisis," on June 22, 2020, and have continued to share their insights and creativity through their writing on Medium.

Opinions

Dr. Thomas believes that writing on Medium made them feel heard and powerful during a time of isolation and uncertainty.
They view writing as a therapeutic tool to deal with the stress and raw emotions brought on by confronting overwhelming global events.
Dr. Thomas emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing everyday problems, which they argue become more significant during crises.
They advocate for the recognition of diverse voices, particularly highlighting the experiences of Black women during the pandemic.
Dr. Thomas aims to inspire their students to use writing as a medium to express their experiences and explore their curiosities, emphasizing the joy in teaching and learning through writing.

I am a poet and essayist for Illumination and Illumination-Curated.

Picture of the author, Dr. K. Thomas

It was early summer 2020, and I had all but stopped talking to others around me. I became consumed with the news surrounding COVID-19. And it began pouring over me, the realization we were dealing with something that was mostly beyond us, but we would have to go through, nevertheless. I started writing on Medium to channel my feelings of isolation, loneliness, and grief.

For two weeks, I locked myself away in my room except for trips to the kitchen or hallway of my building — for food or package deliveries, respectively — to write out what I was thinking. I didn’t intend to make my reactions to the crisis known to anyone. However, writing down my observations, describing my surroundings, and composing my muddled comprehension of the life-altering historical context we were living in made me feel heard. And the decision to share these realities via a public forum such as Medium made me feel powerful.

I published my first article, “Schooling in a Time of Crisis,” on June 22, 2020. In this essay, I shared my previous experience of being very ill and financially-ladened while completing graduate school. I compared this situation to what I knew current students of all ages were facing: mental, physical, and psychological fatigue, and wondering, “Is it all worth it?”

The pandemic has never just been about COVID-19 itself, but about how such crises affect our daily lives and shapes us as individuals. Being confronted with inequities of housing, education, social services, and injustice made us feel that our everyday problems mattered less. But, in truth, they mattered more.

Writing is the way I set myself free from the raw emotion and stress of confronting the realities of powerful contexts that are virtually beyond us. I try to help my students see writing as a medium for channeling their experiences and pondering their endless curiosities. And no matter how bored or despondent they become, as I wrote in my poem, “A Class,” I am happy to teach them and to continue to explore the wonderful world of words, writing, and learning.

I hope that you enjoy my poems and stories.

Me, Myself, the Writer: Introducing My Alter Ego

I am a poet and essayist for Illumination and Illumination-Curated.

Schooling in a Time of Crisis: It Pays to Finish

For some reason, today, of all days, I thought about my dissertation. Like many, it took me several years to write. By…

Teaching as a Black Woman During COVID-19

Our voices are just as important as our struggle.

Class

A poem.