Realization of Self
November 11, 2008
I remember very vividly the day that Aaron McGruder came to campus to speak with students.There was a tremendous buzz around the campus about how excited everyone was about him and his comic strip, The Boondocks.I believe it was 2002 and I had just been introduced to the comic strip and appreciated the satire and political humor he was able to extract through the use of children characters.
He was fresh off his NAACP Image Award and was in awe about how well his strip was doing in only 4 years.He kept talking about how humbling it was to be in front of people who wanted to hear what he had to say.Everyone was fixated on his every word.Remember this was before Youtube, the television show and the explosion of blogging, so people were still very excited to be in a room with someone like McGruder.He was a college student's dream.He was doing what he loved, had fun doing it, and his voice was heard around the world.
Finally someone asked the question that is always presented to a speaker like Mr. McGruder.How does it feel to be a voice/leader of a new generation?With no hesitation, he informed us all, he wasn't a leader by any stretch of the imagination.He was only a cartoonist who loved what he was doing.His example and defining moment actually came during the NAACP Image Awards.
For those that aren't aware, his cartoon strip, The Boondocks, constantly ridiculed Condelessa Rice and numerous politicians.So he was nervous to hear he was winning an award at the same time as Secretary of State, Ms. Rice.His fear was heightened when he was standing in front of her and someone introduced the two.Of course, he was well aware of her, her history, accomplishments, and failures, as she was a powerful member of the Bush administration.
To his surprise, her response was quite different than he expected.It was a simple, "nice to meet you and what exactly is it that you do?"She had no idea about him, his work, or anything that he had ever done.Why should she?He was only a cartoonist and she was worrying about WARS, troops, economy, and The United States of America.That was when he truly understood his place.He brought enjoyment, maybe some awareness, to SOME people, but nothing more.He was not a LEADER, he was a cartoonist that played his part and did what he could to help make changes.
In the end, it was okay that he wasn't known by Condelessa Rice, as long as he did his part and let his voice be heard to make changes.So the question becomes what am I doing in my situation to let my voice be heard and help to make change?I need to stop worrying about how I am not doing more or how I am not more, just do what I can and make the most of it.








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