Dr. Alfred Garner II has never just studied systems, he’s challenged them, reimagined them, and rebuilt them from the inside out. This reflection honors not only his recent achievement of earning a Doctor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky, but the legacy he continues to shape through healing, mentorship, and action rooted in community.

If violence is defined only by what the state can criminalize, then prevention will always come with handcuffs. But if we define violence as anything that strips people of their humanity, then healing becomes a political act. Prevention becomes liberation. And public safety becomes a collective promise, not a performance.

WORDS WE INHERIT
Language is never neutral.

Every phrase we use, especially in the nonprofit and public service world, carries a history. Some words name possibility. Others, unintentionally, name people by their pain.

“Trauma-informed” isn’t a badge; it’s a daily commitment. It’s how we open meetings, how we respond when tension rises, how we center dignity even in hard decisions. If you’re not shifting the culture, you’re not doing the work. You’re just naming it.

Taking the high road isn’t always peaceful; it’s lonely, quiet, and often misunderstood. But it’s where healing happens. This reflection isn’t about avoiding conflict; it’s about choosing love over ego, integrity over applause, and truth over retaliation. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the hardest work is the inner work and that peace is worth protecting, even when your name is in someone else’s mouth.

He didn’t need discipline; he needed breakfast. But when systems aren’t trauma-aware, hunger looks like aggression. And instead of being fed, our kids get handcuffed.