TROUBL

Walking out of the theatre after watching Denzel Washington’s new movie, “The Great Debaters,” made me reflect. I was speechless in my words but fascinated in my thoughts. This was deeper than the issue of racism, the deathly virus that continues to exist in our society today. It was more than the combining of labor unions or the unjust segregation which left people in torment. It was about that burning flame in our heart. The thing that inspires us, drives us, hurts us, makes us act in ways which we would have never imagined, and most importantly the thing that allows us to go on and hold on. The DREAM.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have that driving force in our lives, whereas others seek it until the day they die. In both cases, realizing the power of a dream is what’s really important.

Immediately following our infant and toddler years we are challenged with the question, “Sweetie, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

“A teacher like my mommy, a fireman like my grandpa, a superhero, a dancer, a doctor like my daddy, a president, an athlete, etc.” Some of those childhood dreams actually come to life in early adulthood for certain people, and for others those dreams may have changed to more significant things brought upon by the lives they have lived.

Entering college, we are challenged once more. “Class, where do you see yourself in 2-5 years?” For the average 18-20 year old, getting through the week and the weekend is the farthest destination in their mind.

But then, there’s are those students fidgeting in their seats, planning, envisioning, dreaming, dying to speak out but are too afraid or simply feel that staying quiet is the better thing to do.

For me, it has been a combination of all of the above. From childhood, I found happiness in caring for others, giving to others, and seeing people around me happy. Throughout the years, my passion got stronger but its emphasis became on kids. By middle school, I knew that my career would have something to do with working with children. Now, 15 years later I’m a graduate student studying to be a school counselor.

Did I always act strongly on my dream? Yes and No. Often, I was discouraged by my family or friends to choose a career that carried more prestige, one which I didn’t have to give so much of myself, one that was financially more satisfying. However, every time I closed my eyes, children were all I could see. So, keeping my dream an inner part of me was what I chose to do.

I must say however that I have been fortunate enough where my life has allowed me to make my dream a reality without encountering too much struggle or opposition, where as for others it may be a lot more difficult.

Let’s examine Professor Melvin Tolson, the debate team coach featured in the film, for example. Risking his own life on more than one occasion, Prof. Tolson continued to have faith in things that were unseen. A lot of his students were inspired by his words and his acts of courage. However, only three carried that same faith and flame burning in his heart.

Why? Too often, life makes us feel discouraged, hopeless, angry, used, and abused. It’s that very moment when you feel you can’t that you really discover you can.

My friends couldn’t understand why Henry Lowe acted the way he did. Why did he go out that night and fool around with some random girl and why did he walk out on his team members? It was funny how they were confused by his actions and for me that was the clearest part of the movie.

He was struggling with himself, trying to make his dream a reality, but at the same time coming to term with a lot of devastating issues. He couldn’t understand why innocent lives were being taken—why people were being lynched and burned. He couldn’t understand why something that seemed so logical was so hard to come to life. He was the one feeling the most pain and each time, he believed that giving up may be the answer.

When we feel discouraged we tend to ask ourselves, “Is this even really worth it?” In my opinion, the most beautiful part of a dream is that even though we have our doubts and our low moments, we eventually rediscover that flame and remember WHY it is that we have to go on.

“Your mind will take you far the rest is just pure heart.”