WHY THE RED DOOR?
By Dr. Taya Jackson Scott, Chief Innovation Officer
Imagine three young girls walking to school on a crisp, breezy morning. Bookbags filled with books bounce against their small frames while they attempt to keep pace alongside their gentle yet determined mother. It’s fall in the south, so towering trees of orange, red, and brown create a sense of energy and excitement among the quaint homes. Each home has its own sense of pride, with the most notable being a red door. A red door which symbolized this is a “nice” neighborhood. Unfortunately, my childhood was not always adorned with red doors. I lived in a crime and drug infested neighborhood in East Nashville, Tennessee. To the west and south of us were housing projects separated by I-24 and to the east was a jail for men. It [the red door] was this path that my mother chartered, to the north of us, for my sisters and I to walk to school not because we were better, but because we were being primed for a purpose beyond my wildest imagination. This path of protection was a longer route to school, yet it opened opportunities for me to see a different aspect of my community. Our neighborhood was beautiful – so my perspective was informed beyond where I lived.
As I reflect on my humble beginnings, it is hard to believe my mother was a single parent who raised three girls during a period of civil unrest in our country. With only a high school diploma at the time, her intellectual depth and civil disobedience were epic. We believed our mother was fearless because of her profound strength, work ethic and wisdom. S[he] was adorned with grace yet with fire in her belly and her hands. She worked hard to chart a path for us to live in a neighborhood with red doors.
For me, the red door became an attitude where the dichotomy between thought and action merge regardless of your current reality.
The red door is inspiring and insightful. I paraphrase from Ghandi who declared that my creative thoughts became my living words which translated into my actions, habits, character that manifested meaningful measures towards my destiny (my North Star). The red door represents freedom and joy to ideate, innovate and imagine a future to become __________ (you fill in the blank). I’m invested in making a difference for that young woman or man who needs to express their individuality and authenticity. Be bold!
Let’s fast forward to NOW. At the intersection of Covid-19, social economic turmoil, political conflicts and mental wellness dilemmas, the mission and vision at Morehouse School of Medicine is principal. Leading the creation and advancement of health is a bold undertaking. Some of us have experienced daunting issues in this season. Because I’m a dreamer, I am even more resolute about the red door. Besides red symbolizing the flow of life among other declarations of hope the red door is a lived experience and an expression of new beginnings. Clearly, on the other side of the red door there is hope and unlimited possibilities. What perils you have experienced has had the opposite of its intended effect. Amid the pandemics, if your mindset is still unyielding and your interest is still piqued towards advancing wellness and health equity for those who are distressed and marginalized, I challenge you to focus, bring your ideas and solutions to the IMIN Experience. Just before you walk through the red door and expect the impossible – IMagINe.
I’M INVESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THAT YOUNG WOMAN OR MAN WHO NEEDS TO EXPRESS THEIR INDIVIDUALITY AND AUTHENTICITY. BE BOLD!
