Survivor Stories: "Thoughts from My Desk, 6"
“Dare to think!” –Immanuel Kant
THOUGHTS FROM MY DESK
Charlotte
"Dare to think!"
An action often repressed in today's society, the thought of thinking makes me think many thoughts. Like that jumble of nonsense I just spewed, I feel as though society is plagued by a rising feat of anti-intellectualism. In a world led by artificial intelligence, technology, and social media, it can be easy to not contemplate the intricacies of our being – as the whole world is at our fingertips. Mass information is easily accessible.
However, as I have fought my way through college application season (how lucky am I to have the opportunity to continue learning – I will forever dedicate my gratitude towards the ultimate privilege that is education) I have had much time to contemplate.
I have contemplated who I am. Who I want to be. What I like. What I don't like. What interests me. Who my community is made up of. How I contribute to said community.
Regardless, the most important and revealing contemplation of mine came after reading a simple question: what will you fight for?
5 words, yet so powerful. What will you fight for? Out of everything in the world, what will YOU choose to give your time to? Such a simple question, but it DARED ME TO THINK! (Thanks for that quote, Immanuel Kant.)
It didn't take much time to come up with an answer – I will fight for this cause. Forever and always, I will fight to prevent gun violence. To serve those affected by it. I will fight to end this unnecessary feat that has plagued our lives, as well as the lives of millions. I choose to fight for my people, those who share my lived experiences.
So, as you venture out into your daily life, wherever you may be – dare to think. Dare to contemplate. Dare to wonder: what will you fight for?