Let me tell you about James. Let me
start by saying I don’t know a whole lot about James. I know that James is from South Philly originally. He lived
in south philly when living in south Philly was closer to a death sentence for
a young black man than it was a neighborhood. But that is where James grew up,
in South Philly. I know that James
is a Muslim and currently works at a Christian seminary in the refectory
(otherwise know as the dining hall) in Decatur, GA. I know that James is hilarious and talks more trash than any
other man I know. I know James is very good at loving people and doesn’t want
people to know how good he is at doing it.
James doesn’t really do anything
politically correct. He says words that many might find offensive, he calls out
the black vs white culture on campus and makes fun of the students who can read
big texts books but would rather die than wash the dishes. He’s also the campus mascot for many of
the student’s children who absolutely love him. They always want to see James, probably because he bribes
their love with slices of cheese and cookies but also with gentle hugs and lets
them help with adult jobs like cleaning up and doing those dishes a few of the
seminarians think they’re too good to do.
And the trash he talks… oh the
trash! From Phillies/Braves talks to our following the dress code in the
kitchen to how we should be working harder, he is endless in his trash talking.
He calls me “sorry” because I apologize all the time and makes fun of the girls
who are too politically correct for him. James is consistent in his trash
talking. James is also just consistent in general. He has worked at Columbia
for over a decade. He has watched classes of seminarians come and go and he’s
seen professors retire (some willingly and some in shame) and knows the secrets
of the walls that he walks into every weekday.
His consistency isn’t the only
thing that makes James so endearing. It’s also how he shows care for those that
are assigned the refectory for our work-study. James knows which students are gluten free or vegetarian and
set out certain foods for them and he lets me know what processed foods have
soy in them. When I got into a theological debate with a peer and I upset him,
James took his side but then told privately later that I’d “totally won” that
conversation. You see, James has a
way of caring while making it look like he doesn’t care that is absolutely
astounding. He doesn’t bring attention to it and probably doesn’t want the
attention either.
Funny how the Muslim black guy
serving the (largely) white Christian crowd often is the most Jesus-like. James
serves the children and makes them feel special, he doesn’t take shit from us
students but he also makes sure we always have what we need. He has a servant
heart but he certainly doesn’t mind speaking his mind or cracking jokes or
having a foul mouth once in a while.
I focus on James but he’s not the
only one. The entire refectory staff is effing amazing. Will, the manager,
works his ass off while making sure all our hours are logged… especially for
students like me who ALWAYS forget to log hours. There’s also Darlene, the
morning cook who dances to music on the top 40 from the moment she gets there
to the minute she leaves. She is joyful (no other word for it really) and
lovely. She is kind and wonderful and sensitive. If you happen to go through
the line and don’t say hello to her you libel to hurt her feelings.
Our staff in the refectory probably
goes unnoticed by the vast majority of students who don’t work there or don’t
eat there. I’m not sure if the professors and administration have ever had the
pleasure of sitting down and talking to James or Darlene or Will. Maybe they
have, regardless these people have made me feel a part of this community as
much as any other student or professor. They have taught me SO much about the
campus and the students and how to serve.
I want to care for people like
James does. I want to care for them without bringing attention to the fact that
I care for them. I want to love them without making it obvious or pointing out
my love. I want to talk shit while comforting a fellow student and letting the
other know they did a good job. I want to call out my peers for not following
the rules but still allowing them the pleasure of knowing I have their back. I
want to serve with contentment and consistency and I want do it well.
James saves some of the best food
for the end of the year so that the students aren’t left with bad tastes in
their mouth when summer comes around. I know that James wants them to remember
the refectory as the place where tummies are fed and happy memories of
community are created. He’d never say it. Maybe he’ll read this and think that
I’ve just read WAY to much into his actions and he’ll be embarrassed and talk
all kinds of shit about it and tell me I’m just some sappy white girl who thinks she’s from Philly that spends way
too much money on tattoos and an education that won’t get me anywhere.
That’s just his way though.
Everyone who knows James knows how much he loves us. From making sure we have
food to eat to taking sides and letting us know he has our back James is the
most Christ-like man I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in a very long time. I’m
grateful that I had the pleasure of meeting him and I’m really grateful I’ll be
working with him again come fall semester.
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