tabula|rasa

I was thinking….

One thing I’ve had a tendency to do, is fall in to the trap of thinking and believing that where one comes from determines how successful they will be; more sharply, I’m referring to one’s educational pedigree. I attend Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY. This is an amazing privilege, and an absolutely priceless experience. However, I’ve, of late, considered my ongoing academic experience here to be inferior to my peers at certain “elite” institutions. I’m of no illusion that you do not know the institutions to which I allude: the Harvards, Princetons, Stanfords, Cornells and MITs of the world. The “elite” institutions. No doubt, they’ve earned this distinction owing to their rich tradition of rigorous academics and exhaustive research. The talent these schools have turned out, have contributed inummerable gifts to the world in all areas of expertise. I suppose the respect those schools have earned through the years looms as a beau ideal in the academy - and perhaps my feelings and thoughts, which have held my school and experience in low regard, stem from a recognition of said respect for the tradition of these institutions.

But, upon further rumination, I arrive at a conclusion that while the “elite” colleges cannot be denied their very distinct and deserved place among the highly venerated schools of the world, I’m obliged to give a nod, as well, to the many individuals who never attended an “elite” institution, or any post-secondary institute.  What must we say of those individuals, from all walks of life, who have made a great impact on the world, and who have defied the odds, all while NOT attending any of the elite schools? That very fact instructs me that one’s background - while formative and very important - doesn’t necessarily determine one’s future successes. No matter what college I attend, it’s about what I do there. It’s about my work ethic and my desire to learn; my incessant thirst for knowledge and wisdom. If I posses these, then I can perform well and be deserving of all the success I encounter.

The corrupted notion that I’ve battled, occasionally, implies downplaying my own schooling because of my own comparison of it with other colleges. However, in doing so I miss all that is great and wonderful about RIT; and I eschew my ability to grow wiser and value the unique culture here at RIT. RIT is not a bad school by any means. It may not be the subject of the renown the “elite” colleges are accustomed to, but it is a respected institution among those who know the school. And furthermore, college is about what one makes of it, not the name. The name of your school can take you but so far. Nonetheless, one day, with this knowledge, I’ll be exceedingly proud to say that I am a graduate of THE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. And nothing in that suggests my education is inferior in anyway because I will join the ranks of some of the great leaders in engineering, technology, and innovation who have honed their talents at this place of higher education. 

“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” ~ William Blake

myworstthoughts:

“Mariha was last seen sleeping at home on the morning of July 24, 2011. She may be wearing a black short sleeved shirt with pink flowers and blue jean pants. She was last seen with pink beads in her hair.” - Source and For More Details From a CBS News Report

iwilltrustinyou:

Logic is argumentative, aggressive upon the mind, splits the world into right and wrong, us and them. Love is generative, compassionate, embracing all creation. Logic pays attention to what is being said. Love pays attention to how things are said. Logic leads to debate. Love leads to communion. Practice love to be closer to God.

should white people use the N word?

What’s the hallmark of our talk?
The mainstay of our thoughts it seems?
Negativity or Niggativity?
By d- e- f negativity is generally taken to mean something opposite postive.
We can agree? It’s a tendency to shun sentiments of good; of warm sensation; to be skeptical of purported “plusness”; to subtract from - devalue in decibel level
But beyond that arena of orbital pessimism does there rest rule and abide this itching grizzly monster - what about niggativity?
What’s that right? Think about it. Niggativity is that state of mind where one posits that they cannot believe, they cannot faith, cannot assert
It is that form of oppression pressed into one’s mind - left there - deposited as a gross cancer to metastasize - accrue interest, insured by the human servile registry aka - self- doubt
It is being told u cannot and loving that u can’t
It is striving for nothing
Searching for what u know isn’t here - but all the while believing it is
Sounds like insanity, but it’s not, cuz niggativity pervades even the most anti-niggative mind
That’s y we’re taught we shouldnt use the word - cuz for years - those who preceded us were insulted and torn down with it
So using that specific string of characters then makes us wrong - makes us proprietors of niggativity
But I contend that if niggativity was this acerbic, divisive animal once perpetuated to keep the inferior down - but no longer does - should addressing my mans as nigga be taken so sharply as a disrespectful, indignant occurence?
Out of respect or reverance should I shy away from the string of niggativity or mark a change in my thinking and in my view of the string of characters - nigga?
Does it make sense to forget those letters in that sequence because they r forever tethered to the bitter evil of racial oppression
Well our ancestors died so that we can have the freedoms we have right? That I can speak freely; pursue life and liberty ?
But is it not my liberty to speak a word tied to niggativity?
Words are, and then they aren’t. if it could be tied to niggativity can it not be freed as well? Maybe that’s what our ancestors would want.. hmm? For us to fight to relieve the animal niggativity of its taboo hold on our collective conscience; to wrest the power of that word away from the beast? And when used so freely as a term of endearment; of love in a way, can it not be done?


Anything’s possible, if u want it to be…

Or am I deluded? Am I really trapped in niggativity too? For even suggesting that nigga could be freed from niggativity? Some could and would make the argument that I am - but if so, I’d rather be on the inside fighting with all I’ve got to change it than to be on the outside coexisting and fearing it. Or is it that it just is a peanut butter and jelly situation? Like love and marriage - u can’t have one without the other? Maybe.

thing is: by constitutional imperative, the house has the power of originating revenue bills - the GOP controls that chamber and therefore has an auspicious position in these debt talks I think. Of course the Senate must assent to any bill the House wants to move through congress, but somehow I feel the House has a certain benefit which strengthens its stake in these debates. Their entrenched, unbending posture in these talks seems emboldened by that fact. I could be wrong though…