Friday, 22 February 2008 | posted by wburt
As I sit on the second floor of the student union building at my university in Virginia, the sun shines down upon my face through the window and gives me the false allusion that it is warm outside. Thoughts flow in and out of my mind as I sit writing; this is one of my favorite places to contemplate life and finish work, looking over the land off into the distant reaches of the Shenandoah Valley. Sitting here, I envision each of the Guildford 60's faces as I think of all of the passion and dedication that was so beautifully displayed at the forum. I remember promises of activism, smiles of now dear friends and I remember passion for education and knowledge.
I contrast these memories to my daily life at University- a place that is meant to intellectually and culturally cultivate minds while challenging students to open their minds and view life from different perspectives. My romantic view of what a university should be, is not what I have found. As with any place, there is good and bad, and there are also good students and bad students. In my classes, I see proof that there is a huge problem of apathy in today's young students. I can only attest to the United States, but I have sneaking suspicions that this might be a global issue as well. Many of the youth walking around seem to not understand the countless opportunities that they are so lucky to have through their education and university. We walk around complaining about that long paper we were assigned or the absurd amounts of reading we have to do, but no one thinks of the 120 million young people around the world who don't have an opportunity to even go to primary school. Kids who would desperately love to go, but cannot because their isn't a school available or they have to work to simply survive.
It is hard for me to remember just how lucky I am on a day-to-day basis; I get lost in my own complaints about roommate problems or a lack of sleep. I have to and I try to constantly remind myself of the awesome opportunities I have been afforded due to my education. I think of my opportunities as a responsibility as well. Because I have been given these gifts of fortune, I have the responsibility to help bring those opportunities to others as well. I also have a responsibility to be grateful for my education and to appreciate every second. I have to take this opportunity I have and make the most of it.
I sit in the sun, and I feel thankful.
Peace ~
whitney
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22 February 2008
Thank you so much Whitney!!!!!!! Reading this blog is such an inspiration and it allows so much questioning to take place internally as well.
I strongly and honestly agree with what you are saying and in fact, it takes me back 2 years ago in memory lane. I came across Swedish students in a good school with good facilities and to me it could compare more-or-less to a South African university. That was when I truly felt that these Swedish students were truly privileged, or we as South Africans are just disadvantaged. What better way to teach young people than through mediums they can relate to and understand, where their span of expression is not just limited to words and textbooks but music photography and poetry as well. here it is not necessary to be perfect in English in order to be taken seriously.
I reflected back to my life in South Africa and looked at all the things we don’t have in abundance. Such as computers and computer literacy, proper toilets, paint and paint brushes, windows and the list could go on. Yet, amongst all that regret and dreaming of the what if, I came to another question. What do we have.?And, as students, we have such a lot that we can look forward to. We have the most diverse students in our high schools and, universities, not only in terms of race but culture, religion, urban-youth, sub-culture etc. We can take a train to school and listen to the preacher preach, the “gogo” old ladies gossip and ohh the endless “Days of Our Lives”, yet still, remember all the facts needed for writing the Chemistry Exam.
We are able to access a whole new world of knowledge that our parents had never even knew existed. Yes,we definitely have a lot to look forward to. We might not have ‘got’ there yet, where ever there is, but ‘getting’ there is the most important and exciting for me.
I feel that as young people we have so much potential, but we just don’t realise the power that lies within us. And my dream is for us as young people to find our voices and learn to sustain those voices. Until you find yourself in a situation where the people around you speak a language you cannot understand. Is it then that you realise how significant it is to be able to express yourself. There is so much power in the voice, and we
can definitely make things happen. We have soo much to be greatful for, I have to take the opportunities I have and make the most of them.
I sit under the city sun, and I feel thankful.
23 February 2008
O-M-G
what alse may i say, it was just amazing, heart touching, i miss you sooo much Whitney keep fighting 4 what u belive in girl
coz WE and other just like us, who will acully make the world a better place, or open dors for other 2 make a diff.
AWWW that defintly inspired me so much and i just wish if i could be there with u and give u a hand.
xxx now im off 2 do some histolgy Lots of love all the way from Libya.
27 February 2008
<< i sit in the sun and feel THANKFUL…>>
wooow whitney very strong and beautiful ... missss u!
28 February 2008
Whitney!!! i hope you are not afraid of hights cuz the sky is the starting point for you…...go girl….miss u!!!!!
20 March 2008
Oh Whitney.
amazing piece of writing.
and inspiring nonetheless..!
I feel you. Routine seems to stifle me sometimes…
but it is then when I curse in greek, let it behind me and go off for something new that could make a difference.
you provided me with such a moment. thank you.