Rebecca Walker

Let me Preface this by stating that I am a member of the Distinguished Lecture Series Committee, and we work hard to bring thoughtful, amazing, captivating speakers to campus. 

So tonight I was fortunate enough to attend Rebecca Walkers' lecture. It was amazing, so inspirational. She talked about herself, being a daughter of a Jew and an African American, and how we can... as humans... rise to a more open framework. Race, obviously, does not exist from a biological perspective, all humans share the same species of Homo-sapian-sapian. There are no species, like dog... there are golden retrievers, and german shepards, and THOSE are different, but all humans are the same. We are awesome. So, once you subtract that, you are forced to come to terms with the fact that humans naturally make dividing lines based on class... race... gender... zodiac sign even, the list goes on and on.

So what can you do about it? Well... In any situation, if you can detach yourself from the past, then you can make the future more open, and allow for a greater array of options. The past just brings up tension, and if you try to set policy, and have a discussion based on HISTORY, the result can only be the negativity that comes with it. What you plant is what you grow. 

She was easily one of the best speakers I've ever seen and easily one of the most profound. I really enjoyed myself, and the dinner before hand. 

Everyone should do something they usually wouldn't. Like fast for a day, or eat brisket, or participate in some forum you know nothing about. Listen to the This American Life podcast about the Iraq war vet suffering from PTSD, who joined The Muslim student association to overcome his fears. 

Everyone should go to more DLS events. Seriously. They can change your life. 

Thanks,

Guthrie