I decided to run for Freshman Vice President of the College of Arts and Sciences. I did not intend to run for a Student Council position my first year, but, as always, I find myself reaching for leadership positions. Having a leadership position is not an issue, but learning the Poltical Arena here at Howard is an ongoing obstacle. You meet people and create “alliances” so that you are included in the information circles. That is the major obstacle.
Now, I have already run into people who, I believe, are not going to work hard for the student body. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t, but the “vibe” that I get from them suggests the latter. I refuse to name names, but once you see these people in action, you will realize who I am referring to. For many years, I wanted to generally help people. My goal in life is to help as many people as I can before the day that I die. That was my goal as President of the Young People’s and Children’s Division at Turner Chapel. That was my goal as spokesperson for Sprayberry High School. That was my focus as youth spokesperson for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. And that is STILL my goal as I run for Vice President of the Freshmen in the College of Arts and Sciences. I don’t believe it’s a matter of who you work with or how long it takes to get “it” accomplished. Just as long as the job is done and the people are content with the results, then my goal is met.
Everywhere I go, I want to leave a mark that is unprecedented. I want to be one of the people that my children and grand-children read about in the history books or in museums. I want to aid the less fortunate and help those who are fortunate enough to be able to supprot themselves. (Be like a freakin “father theresa”) My New Year’s resolution was and is to take every opportunity presented to me, under the conditions that it would advance me toward my goals. So, in essence, that’s how I ended up running for Vice President.
Our lives are all intertwined, whether we like it or not. And if there are some of us out here in this big world who wish to make a positive difference, then, I believe, the entire world is better off. So, as I sit here and write this, I begin to think about all the different ways I could impact the world.
I beleive I have surounded myself with some great people. Some people that have really opened my eyes to the different viewpoints and experiences of the many regions of this naiton. From Cali to Chi Town, from A-Town to The Big Apple, I have surrounded myself with people that I believe will be my friends for life, no lie. I have never laughed so hard and for so long. I have never been on so many adventures within a weeklong time period. I have never had an experience quite like this. And I truly believe it’s because of the people that I have surrounded myself with. But, most of all, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I know this sounds all emotionally attached and stuff, but I have to say that this is the truth. For my entire life, I was shelterd. I was given everything I needed and wanted. But now it’s up to me to make the decisions on my own and cultivate environments that I want to be apart of. And that is what really counts.
How does all this realte to politics. Well, everything is political. You make a first impression just as if a politician would. You cultivate relationships with people just as if you wanted their vote. So, my friends here at HU are like my constituancy, except, unlike most politicians, I would actually do shit for them. (We should 4real create a “club”/group type thing. But that’s just a thought)
This is not a matter of, like I said, being emotional. It’s a matter of being REAL.
