Summer!

I am sorry that I have been away for so long! But I am back and ready to write. While I wasn't writing for the beginning of this summer, I was taking a course at Georgetown University for summer high school students. The institute that I was in was the Law Institute for one week.
The entire experience was amazing but I would like to reflect on one of the guest speakers that we got to meet during our week of lectures. This guest speaker was Shujaa Graham, a death row exoneree. I do not plan to write out his story because it cannot and will not do his speaking justice however I will discuss a few things that I learned throughout his speaking to our class that I plan to keep in mind for the rest of my educational career and life.
Shujaa was wrongfully framed for the killing of a prison guard due to the fact that he was seen as a leader in the Black Prison Movement who was known for standing up for social justice. Social justice is the concept that everyone deserves equal economic, social and political rights and opportunities. This is an idea that seemed so clear to me. In my life, not once have I been faced with a lack of social justice. However, as I learn more and more about our world, country and societies, I recognize this idea of social justice is lacking.
Shujaa explained to the class that he is not a victim but rather a survivor. I was moved by his passion and determination to move on and rather than seek revenge promoting a cycle of anger, Shujaa turned towards finding a way to stop this.
Most importantly, Shujaa explained that we as children are the future. Our choices and decisions will make up what our world is to be, thus it is our duty to promote a better world.
All of this was tremendously important for me to hear for many reasons. First of all, I live in a bubble  where hardship and a lack of true justice is rarely shown to me. Without the knowledge, I had no motive to help and make a difference on this idea specifically. Also, Shujaa proved to me that nothing in life is worth giving up. While this was a concept that I was seemingly aware of before I got to hear him speak, my eyes were opened a bit wider this time. Because instead of reading this idea from a book or hearing it from a teacher, I was hearing it from someone who could have easily looked at the world, seen what had happened to him, and given up. Given up on fighting for what was right. But he didn't, so I won't. I know in years to come, I will be faced with moments that will be easier to turn away from than to keep walking through. However, while walking away may seem easier, I know I must keep going.
I encourage anyone to read about Shujaa Graham's story online. I hope this post has helped you to make the most of your life.
Stay passionate. Stay determined. And keep smiling.
Sincerely,

Blogging By Talia