I had to give a speech.
My speech was supposed to motivate a group of undergrads.
I received some positive feedback, but that could be due to lack of backbone. Sometimes people are wary of handing out criticism when the one being criticized is staring back at them.
Since we’re good friends, I figured y’all should read it. By the way, it is true, and I like it, so be nice… and I know, I reference Nietzsche a lot in my work… but I kinda love him.
Voila:
Thomas walked to school every single day. Three miles round trip; far from being an impossible task for the precocious 6th grader. The 6th grader that moved to this school in the middle of his fourth grade year could put up with a multitude of barriers on his way to academic success. Thomas was the newest student at this school; and since he was different, the position of outcast was permanent. He was reprimanded by Mrs. Grebe for answering too many questions in class. Routinely ridiculed for his perfect grades surprisingly left Thomas undeterred from continuing to earn outstanding marks.
He was selected, due to his test scores, to attend Sunshine’s school for gifted children one day a week for the remainder of his years at Grover Elementary school, which led him to multiple altercations with jealous classmates. He was punished with multiple detentions for getting beat up by Dexter Jackson. Dexter happened to be the assistant principal’s son, so naturally Thomas was just as guilty for getting the wind knocked out of his gut as Dexter was for evacuating that wind. Thomas was separated because he happened to be more intelligent than his classmates and his classmates sought retribution for this perceived slight. The classmates would plan their attacks in plain sight of the 6th grade teacher yet she would allow it to happen. Thomas complained to her, but she never made an attempt to come to his aide. Thomas cried to his parents and they came in to speak to the school principal and the assistant principal. These educators of the future told Thomas’s parents that he tended to cry over spilled milk, and that he might benefit from some tough love from his classmates. His classmates were devoid of love for him and were nothing but tough to him. The assistant principal, in his own act of “tough love” chastised Thomas in front of his classmates because his shoes had holes in them. The reason his shoes had holes was the same reason Thomas’s parents couldn’t afford to move, or afford to send him to another school. Poverty makes it difficult to buy “stuff” but it does not make it difficult to instill individuality and an active trail blazing thought process in their son; which they did successfully.
“Opportunity follows struggle. It follows effort. It follows hard work. It doesn’t come before.”
~ Shelby Steele.
Thomas walked into the classroom following Christmas break and was called to the principal’s office. He was handed a letter that was to be given to his parents. The letter called for a meeting with Thomas, his parents, his teacher, the assistant principal, and the head principal.
Thomas could sense that the environment presented to him and his parents reeked of difference. The ethereal space encompassing the participants smelled better; it smelled of solidarity. The stench of disdain Thomas routinely felt aimed at him and his family had disappeared; in its place was a group of slobbering sycophants.
“The Ohio State University has offered you the presidential scholarship.”
His parents did not have many questions, what they did have were documents; to read and to sign. Thomas’s parents believed that once a child exhibited responsible behavior and decision making, he should be involved in the process of deciding the outline of his life. The family read every document multiple times. The documents informed the family that Thomas was a gifted student whose grades and test scores had awarded him the opportunity of a life time. The documents told them that Thomas would have to maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 though out his middle school and high school classes. The documents informed them that Thomas was one of only 5 children offered this opportunity within the confines of the Ohio border. The documents also told Thomas and his family that Grover elementary school would receive a hefty monetary donation from the University for nurturing a gifted student. The documents gave Thomas and his family a week to make their decision.
Accept or Reject.
Thomas’s parents gave their opinions, but told Thomas that it was his decision. He
asked his dad one poignant and introspective question: “If I kept a g.p.a. above a 3.5 in my classes would there be other scholarships for me?” His father told him that if his grades were exemplary, other Universities would come knocking at his door with offers of a free education.
“The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”
~ Dale Carnegie
Thomas had made his mind up. He did not want his principals or teachers to benefit from his hard work. He wanted his coattails free from hangers-on. He did not want
his good fortune to benefit those who wished him no good fortune. Three days after the initial meeting he and has family walked into the school’s office. His parents were offered coffee, another first, by the maudlin staff.
“I am not going to sign.”
The elation left the administrative faces staring back at Thomas. These public
school officials who, by law, were not supposed to show an affinity for a religion definitely chose denominations, 50s and 100s. A series of counter arguments followed. A series of concerned statements regarding the future of this young man followed; even though they had neglected his present.
An eleven year old boy chose to wash his hands clean of the institution that had dirt
underneath its fingernails. An eleven year old boy made an adult decision and walked out of that office a man. An eleven year old boy chose principle. An eleven year old boy made a decision based around his ethics and conscience; and realized that that was how lives should be lived.
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
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It’s a good story, but I’m not sure you had the right audience for it. I doubt a bunch of college kids are going to be motivated by learning that they have less balls than an awkward 11 year old social outcast. It would be better suited maybe for a class of incoming high school freshmen.
Muaz, this is an amazing example of integrity that I think everyone will appreciate. But I’m curious…after declining the scholarship, how were you/Thomas treated by the faculty? And did that have any effect on you as far as reaffirming or regretting your decision?
nice. if criticism was *really* what you sought then you’ve accomplished nothing. I very much enjoyed this.
I once knew a boy with a similar story….only I called him Mauz and we attended McKinley elementary school…..