Something that most bloggers assume is that people will want to listen to what they have to say. That was part of my initial problem with the idea of taking ownership of a blog. Why should people care what I have to say? I am a twenty-three year old, privileged, white, male college graduate who has done some reasonably cool things, but, I can assure you, the world is full of people far more wiser, experienced, well-written, well-read, etc. In the greater scheme of things, I am just beginning to open my eyes to the world of possibilities at my disposal. That is what I find most exciting though. I do have a relatively fresh perspective and am embarking on a new adventure. I am sure to encounter dozens of people who will push me to think in new and confusing ways. Documenting those experiences has to be worthwhile.
But I still haven’t answered my original question: Why should people care what I have to say? Having spent two years working in a small private school in both a faculty and administrative role, I have had many opportunities to share my stories, experiences, musings on life, etc. What I have come to realize is that people generally do listen. Why? Is it the rapport that I have cultivated with my colleagues and students? Is it that my words hold merit? Is it that I represent a generational shift in the teaching profession and that lends a new perspective to the table? I’m sure it is a combination of these elements, but it has given me confidence with my ideas. Even though I know that students and faculty at my school harbor a wide variety of ideas about religion, politics, ethics, and morality, our discussions generally prove productive. I don’t mean productive in the sense that we persuade one another of our view point’s superiority. In this setting, it is productive just to have the conversation and to speak the words that challenge assumptions and educate your opponents on the framework of your ideological standpoint. I may not be the smartest or most bold voice in any debate, but I listen and analyze.
Why should you care what I have to say? Because it may be productive.
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