Why I pursue learning!

In tenth grade, my English teacher would force the class to say an affirmation every day. The affirmation stated:

EVERY DAY I PURSUE LEARNING, AS IF MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, BECAUSE IT DOES!

As a very young high school student, I never understood why we had to say this sentence daily. It seemed like a group of words put together to make a sentence; it had no discernible effect on my everyday life. I thought it was silly because I did not think people pursued learning. I thought learning was just there and did not need to be pursued. Also, I did not think that my life depended on learning. I thought my life would be the same if I did not actively pursue learning. After tenth grade English, I never repeated the affirmation until college. College is where I learned that I have to pursue learning because life literally depends on it.

I learned that my life is dependent upon my pursuit of learning. I am learning to become enlightened, so no one can tell me what to believe, how to think, what to think, or what I should value. I learn so I can become educated. People can take many things away from me, but they cannot take away my education. No matter how much they may try to make me feel inferior or subhuman. They can never take away the information that I have learned. I learn so I can become the change. As an African American male, there are many stereotypical ideas about my existence as a black male. I am not supposed to be educated and informed. When I learn, I counteract those stereotypes and begin to change people’s misconceptions about black men. I learn to be an inspiration to others. Learning and being informed can be challenging. I want those around me who feel like give up on the process to know that it can be done and they can make a difference.

I have to pursue learning because it does not come naturally. In America, we are fortunate to live in a society with a sound public education system that everyone must attend. Many may think learning happens naturally because they get up and go to school daily. However, it doesn’t; you must actively engage with the material, study, and get clarification when you need help. This idea becomes even harder when you reach the collegiate level, are no longer legally obligated to attend school, and work becomes more challenging. I have to force myself to get up every day and pursue learning because no one is there forcing me to go to class, the library, or tutoring. There is no one giving me anything, I have to work for it, and there are some that hope I will stop learning. I have to pursue learning so I can become an educated black man. So no one can take anything away from me, question my intelligence, or make me feel inferior. My life depends on education because without it, I have nothing, and I am nothing.

Until next time:

Let God’s light shine within you and through you!