After a
week of American tragedy, people might wonder about the younger
generation. Are they really violent and
disenfranchised?
No.
I just got back from teaching for a week at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, and working with these young students gave me hope.
I had two responsibilities in the classes that I taught: to help students go from no act to a full standup act in preparation for a comedy showcase, and to assist graduating seniors in the drama department find their message. I had 4 days.
They astonished me with their openness and willingness to reveal the dark
messes of their lives, and turn those into a message and find the funny in
it. They revealed overcoming eating
disorders, coming out to Bible Belt parents, and reaching out to alienated
family members.
No.
I just got back from teaching for a week at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, and working with these young students gave me hope.
I had two responsibilities in the classes that I taught: to help students go from no act to a full standup act in preparation for a comedy showcase, and to assist graduating seniors in the drama department find their message. I had 4 days.
They got
real, got personal, and came out of the class realizing what they stand
for. We talked at the end about how to
use their message on job interviews, auditions, and speaking. After all, when we get out of college, we all
have limited credentials. At that point
in our life, the only thing we truly have is our message, and our value is in
how we use that message to affect others.
I’ve found that as people get older, sometimes getting in touch with the past “messes” in our life is harder than pulling teeth. Perhaps it’s because the more distant we get from those painful memories in our lives, the less comfortable it is to relive them. Yet, this group of young students revealed all with utter authenticity, and the willingness to share and inspire others with their messages.
I can’t wait for the images of disturbed, violent youth to be replaced with young people like these who are truly willing to make a difference in other people’s lives.
I’ve found that as people get older, sometimes getting in touch with the past “messes” in our life is harder than pulling teeth. Perhaps it’s because the more distant we get from those painful memories in our lives, the less comfortable it is to relive them. Yet, this group of young students revealed all with utter authenticity, and the willingness to share and inspire others with their messages.
I can’t wait for the images of disturbed, violent youth to be replaced with young people like these who are truly willing to make a difference in other people’s lives.
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