1. Who are you and what do you do?
I am a 44 year old native of Kansas City, Missouri. I was
reared in the city by a mother who was an amazing educator (an English teacher
for many years and an elementary school administrator until she retired) and a
father who had an entrepreneurial spirit that served as an amazing example to
me to follow the dreams created by the passion that drives you. My father owned
a beauty salon, several day care centers and one of the first African-American
beauty schools in the city.
I graduated from Pembroke Hill and went on to attend college
in Nashville, at TSU. I eventually came home and graduated from UMKC, later
attending UMKC Law School.
Through all of my educational endeavors, I never truly
pursued my passion which was writing. My most powerful encounter with the pen
came when I was an eighth grader at St. Peter’s Catholic School. My English
teacher, Shirley Renaud, called me a “truly gifted writer”. She made the
statement with no particular ceremony. No attempt at an ego boost and without
any provocation. She said it as though it was simply fact. Something that she
noticed, assessed and forwarded to the universe. I was affected…forever.
2. Do you feel this that you do is a part of your life calling and/or purpose?
I spent years fulfilling (sometimes failing to fulfill) the
obligations that had been set for me by well-intentioned loved ones. Not fully understanding
the spiritual, emotional death that comes from not living for yourself. Often
we must have a catalyst for change if we find ourselves bound by the cuffs of judgment
and sometimes even societal influences.
So, a wife and a mother I became. Drawn to education, but
not being fulfilled. Pain placed the pen back in my hand. I picked it up again
the day that my four year old son was diagnosed with cancer. I haven’t put it
down since. The loss of a child has shaped me, and helped to solidify the
realization of my life’s plan. That plan is to be of benefit wherever I can and
to never put down the pen.
3. Do you think by doing this you are contributing to the betterment of society? How? Why?
Poetry, writing in general, is definitely a calling for me.
It fuels me, calms me, and ignites in me that which causes me to feel that I am
fulfilling my ultimate purpose. It’s what I run to and what sustains me. It
brings me joy and offers a cathartic way of handling tough issues as well.
I write a lot about that which I know. I’ve had an
interesting life wrought with pain, littered with confusion and ultimately
enveloped by peace. My story can be seen clearly in my works. My goal is to
allow others to benefit, where possible, from the mistakes that I’ve made and
from the lessons that I’ve learned and possibly to share in a little frivolity
at times as well.
4. What has been your biggest struggle? If you have overcome it, how did you accomplish that?
My greatest struggle in life has been my overwhelming desire
to please. While it may sound like a fruitful burden to have…it often serves as
a double edged sword. There are times when pleasing people (family, friends, and
society) can be an emotionally draining hole from which escape is difficult.
My journey (and it definitely is a process) to overcome this
plight started many years ago when I realized that at the core of “people
pleasing” is an often inherent dislike for one’s self. Not loving yourself
enough to expect, yes, expect that others will love you. The precursor to that
sentiment is that you must ensure that there is something to love. Doing the
work that it took to make sure that I was the kind of woman that I wanted to be
came first. Embracing her, loving her and taking care of her came second. The
feeling of worth caused me to pull back from the notion that I have to “be all”
to everyone. I now operate from a different place. I still love to please, but
for more authentic reasons now.
5. What do you want your unforgettable footprint on society to be?
I’d like my “foot print” on society to include but one
thing. That in every way needed, at whatever time is imperative…to the best of
my ability, I was willing to be used. The knowledge that I have something to
give strikes me daily. I want to pass no opportunity to help wherever I can. I
have been the beneficiary of so many wise women and men who gave freely of their
time, their knowledge, their love. They are my heroes. In their often
unassuming way…from the neighbor who taught me how to seek natural remedies for
illness to the Brotha that showed me how to fight for the peace that I wanted
in my life.
6. If someone wants to follow your public progress or contributions how might they do that? Website? Blog? Books? Social Media?
I have a website karisharrington.wix.com/indigolight where I
post poetry and events in which I participate.
7. It has been said, "Without a vision, the people perish." Do you have a vision you wish to share with us?
My
vision is to fully pursue all the facets that writing can bring to my life
while offering resources to women. To inspire through words. To help facilitate
“healing circles” where women can come together to learn from each other
without fear of judgment or condemnation.
8. Final thoughts?
I see so many possibilities for our city (Kansas City)…for our women.
Our healing will cause the “trickle down effect” that we need to ultimately see
the societal healing that we desire.
