2nd Blog Post

In my first blog post I talked about how important it is to have access to effective and enlightened sponsors. I mentioned how access to these sponsors can motivate and inspire. They can help you understand yourself and what you want to do. These ideas are only more prevalent throughout this weeks readings. The autobiographies of Malcolm X and Sherman Alexie emphasize the fundamental necessity of access to exceptional sponsors and the life changing effects they can have. 

Malcolm X started his literacy journy by reading, copying, and memorizing the entire dictionary. Even though he was incarcerated he claimed to be the freest he had ever been. Attributing this freedom to his reading of books. Malcom X's biggest sponsors were books. "Reading had changed forever the course of my life... [reading] awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive" X said. Alexie spoke of literacy along the same lines. He claimed that his intense search for knowledge was all for one purpose. "I was trying to save my life" Alexie claimed. He believes that everyones search for literacy is an effort to save their life. As well as teachers that relentlessly sponsor literacy are trying to save their students lives. 

There is no doubt that access to education can change someone's life. The last reading of this week, Who Are You and What Are You Doing Here? by Mark Edmundson, discusses exactly what to do with this education. Edmundson emphasizes the importance of doing what you truly enjoy. He believes that the most important aspect of college is to discover who you are. The best way to do this is through education. “The best reason to read them is to see if they may know you better than you know yourself. You may find your own suppressed and rejected thoughts flowing back to you with an alienated majesty,” Edmundson stated. 

All of the readings this week stressed the incredible impact of literacy in one's life. I especially enjoyed Edmundson’s article because he emphasized the importance of doing what you want to do, regardless of money, status, and judgement. He brought up the need to stay focused on the information you are learning in your classes because it is that information that will reveal to you who you are. The idea that distracions will prevent you from discovering and doing what you strive to do is another theme in this week's readings. For Malcolm X it was the fight for equality, for Alexie it was the ignorance of his teachers, and for college students it is our social life. When I compare all of these distractions I realize how privileged I am. It makes my distractions seem minuscule. I am aware of how important it is that I stay focused on my work so I can discover who I am and what I want to be.