Who the Hell Am I?

by Michael Hutson

Today’s social landscape is more unique than it has ever been before. We now have minds that are growing to be as diverse and individual as humanly possible. And the best part about it is that there is no longer a fear among the population to be “different”, so we thrive on creating new ways of thinking everyday. One of the signature concepts of our time is that of adaptation; with so many different forms of technologies, musical genres, socio-economic and political perspectives, and the like, there are probably more subcultures today than there are people to inhabit them. In today’s world, once things become commonplace, it becomes “common” for them to change that very instant -- and they’re doing so at an alarming rate.

It also seems that change is no longer problematic for us to deal with. Although we do attempt to hold on to things long enough to actually cherish them, we as a people are embracing the concept of change quicker with each innovation. We have not only taken a vested interest in all that is new and technological, but we have also acquired a taste for having things given to us quickly, because this is what we have come to know in the recent past. No longer do we need to have permanence to have satisfaction.

Although it is a dire assumption, the concepts of “remembrance” or “history” are not ones that are held as highly as they probably should be on our society’s agenda. It is with this thesis in mind that I declare that the simple knowledge of one’s history, and the sincere ability to embrace the totality and emotion evoked by that history, is itself one of the greatest things that one can do to create a brighter future for themselves and for others. This truth resonates twice as brightly for youths and minorities.

Many young people of my generation look upon their history as something that is a hindrance to their very being, their very existence. They view it as something that is there for them to deviate from in order to blaze their own legacy to be cherished. It is naturally inherent and symbolic of youth to feel this way. However, they will find this apprehension of history, and thus themselves, to be of no reward to them. For regardless of contemporary opinion, and popular culture, all humanly things eventually fade, and all humanly things change; yet it is this same history that has proved that the endeavors of the soul will remain constant through time. I trust that we can make our own legacy while simultaneously appreciating and building upon what those before us have already accomplished. It is through history that we gain the wisdom to know what it is our forefathers have done, and subsequently what we can do in our day and age, to make things better for everyone as a whole.

What one person can do to contribute to a brighter future for themselves, their family, and the greater portion of humanity is greater than most perceive and more easily done than most would believe. It may not be by single-handedly “bringing the world together” simply because Dr. King said so, or “making sure everyone shares (by any means necessary)” simply because Malcolm X said so, but simply by understanding that it is through the self-preservation, appreciation, and documentation of one’s history that you begin to complete the intricacies of yourself as a person. To be a productive member of society, in whatever field you do or whatever background you come from, you must first know where you stand with yourself. This is done by knowing who you are by definition, understanding why that knowledge is important and relevant to your situation, and being able to effectively transmit that information into a positive outcome.

I seek to know the origins of my ethnicity because I wish to improve myself, since I realize that he who knows most, knows nothing at all. I seek the stories of old because it is through seeing myself in those circumstances that I gain humility and break conventional thinking. I seek tradition because it gives enrichment. It is with these things that I believe that the backgrounds and convictions of one’s race or culture, and the pigmentation of a person’s skin, does not pigeonhole that person into being a particular character or force them into having a particular liability on their hands. Rather, it gives them a unique asset which enables them to view and operate in the world through a perspective others can benefit from. Because it is only through the insight of others that one can attain the characteristics that lead them to positively influencing those around them.

Regardless of the changing times, things such as wisdom, the circle of life, and tradition will never grow old.