“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded,” Jesus said, (Luke 12:48) .
Later on in a presidential inaugural address, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,” was said by John F. Kennedy.
Last and not least, “With great power, comes great responsibility,” said Uncle Ben in “Spiderman.”
One day, as I walked down the hall in Sam Wilson, I saw my friend, Elana. After some small talk, I told Elana that I was thinking about writing for the East Tennessean but that I was apprehensive and thought the newspaper was getting worse by the issue.
Then, Elana inspired me with her response, “Be the change you wish to see,” she said, though I should attribute this to Gandhi.
At first, I was silenced by this remark. Then, I took a step back in myself and really thought about what she said.
Now, while others may see this differently than me, I hear these words as a driving opportunity to be more than an ignorant voice; I see this statement as a motive to show one’s self.
I do not understand the idea that complaints about life or current issues are going to change the matter or even present an original idea about such.
You see, people so often ramble about problems to the point that they are just a voice, nothing more than an echo of so many others before them.
The true showing of an original thought is to put your ideas into action. Instead of saying what should happen, make what should be, happen.
Also, in my experience, I have found this issue to be fueled and worsened by ignorance. In other words, put the outspoken and ignorant together and you will further develop that ignorance beyond all sensible bounds. Ultimately, we all have a voice and a body that can be a source of influence; therefore, with this power, we are directly responsible for our words and actions.
Thus, the challenge is to no longer be a senseless voice with ignorant pursuits, but rather to listen and understand the truth for suitable feats. Then, the words of your mind will hold stronger because what you have already said with your actions.
In the end, the issue that I speak of is, in itself, oxymoronic unless I, myself, choose to live my life in just this way: pursuing actions with an obligation to the truth.
That is why I write this article. As I was inspired by Elana, I wish to pass on this gift to others. So, personally, religiously, and politically, I truly aspire to “be the change [I] wish to see.” The question is – Do you?
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to jivory00@hotmail.com, entitled “newspaper.

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