Imagine trying to explain to someone who’s been blind their whole life what red looks like. You could say that red is the color of a rose or a heart but you could never describe the color red itself. In fact, what I see as the color red may be what you see as the color green. This is qualia, or parts of experiential knowledge, which can only be known through experience.
Ever since the day that it was announced that Enloe Charity Ball would be partnering with the Raleigh Wake Partnership, I have been trying to wrap my head around the severity of the issue that they are trying to tackle: Homelessness. Homelessness to me incites a state of Qualia, because it is something I cannot fully comprehend, never having experienced it myself. What can I possibly understand about the plight that 884 people faced tonight out on the streets? How can I help “end homelessness as we know it” if I can’t even grasp what it means to be unstably housed?
On a rainy Thursday afternoon, I was standing in front of a classroom with about 10 other people, at a mini Charity Ball Awareness Workshop. We had invited Shana Overdorf, the Executive Director of the Partnership, to come in and speak at the event. And as always, I was blown away by her “speech”. With her legs crossed and her arms propped on one of the desks at the front of the room, she spoke to us with unparalleled passion about the Partnership and its work. Nearing the end, Shana’s phone screen lit up with a notification. She paused and her brow furrowed with worry. “Well guys,” she said, “I was having a good day until this moment.” As it turned out Raleigh was just issued a frost warning for the weekend. She reminded us that hypothermia kicked in at 40 degrees. The room went silent as we all realized the gravity of the situation.
Through this journey we’ve each had our moments of Qualia. That one moment, some big and some small, when we finally realize the impact we can make. All we need is that one moment of Qualia to inspire us; that one instance of conscience experience.
Sanjana Tharuve
Executive Council Member
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