Author: Sayquan Wooden

For me, the idea of providing change to my community had significantly changed from when I was a child in elementary school up until my current years in college. The expectations and determinations weren’t significant because I was young and didn’t have much knowledge about community efforts. I didn’t have the ability to make the necessary steps to indicate that we needed a strive for change and equality in my neighborhood and for people as a whole. The main components of my community were being respectful, conversing not inflicting violence, and staying dedicated to education and academics. All of which were components that I learned from elementary school and followed me throughout my time in high school. The components of a defined, stabled, and growing community was gradually shaped differently as we became older, mature, and free in expressing ourselves and our goals in both societal and community change. The components now became more specific, socially conscious, and aware (e.g. focusing on change in the school system, justice system, poverty). The focus of change for me became more apparent in questioning if I’m doing enough for not just my community that I live in but for other communities that mirror mine or are less fortunate.

My neighborhood of residents tends to stay content with their situations and keep to themselves. It’s always been that way for a long time. There’s never been a need for us to become social with each other or even know each other’s names. We respect one another from a distance, however, we take the courtesy and knowledge that we will protect anyone if a situation occurs. The diversity of problems faced in my neighborhood and similar communities isn’t really shed to light. My community is a bit complex since I live on the end of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York nearing other neighborhoods such as Brownsville and Canarsie. With where I live I can encounter different neighborhoods and communities within walking distance. Living in Brooklyn, New York my whole life, I’ve tried to understand and practice ways of providing change for the better of my communities and others surrounded by it. 

Conversation, socialization, and trust would be very important to my community because it would allow for me and many people in my neighborhood to understand each other’s background, upbringing, identity, issues and adapt a new source of support and availability in terms of safety and being open with themselves. Many people in my communities vary in ages and generations. Having civil, informative, and productive talks about societal problems, social dilemmas, dogma, social independence, racial and gender stereotypes and generalizations, violence, abuse, authoritative figures, etc. would be so valuable to building a more true, genuine, and connected community. Other things such as alerting people of big opportunities, starting clubs, creating community meetings, becoming educated on topics we may be ignorant to, and using people’s voices and stories to spread messages and uplift each other.

The term in itself “change” is one that spawns different outlooks of its definition in correlation with what it is applied to in this case, being “community” changes. Will our efforts bring change that solves problems temporarily or solve problems permanently? Or better yet until the systems in place change it? Change in a community is revolved around the current situations and issues being faced by the very people who reside there and are a part of the environment and culture.  The ability to drive change in a community, in general, takes a lot in terms of determining efforts, issues, demands, and problems that are historically systemic and generational. Change doesn’t come overnight nor by one person. Creating and developing a community involves empowerment, inclusion, conversation, discussion, and understanding. The will to not only put me to the task but incorporate others in my educational and personal field to the task can ultimately put forward a new shift in thriving efforts revolved around humanitarianism, humanism, and critical/necessary characteristics in building, structuring, and maintaining a balanced community.

I take the perspective of being a true expert as something that is an everlasting accomplishment in life. With as much insight, knowledge, and skill we may contain within a craft and career we’re devoted and dedicated to, there is always room to improve on it each and every day. As a 20-year-old born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I’ve been fortunate to find my footing in the English and literature department and expand my talents and artistic directions and visions. My “expert process” could be traced back to when I was around six to seven years old.

Growing up I was a very shy child. who often looked to self-isolation and independence from the outside world. I didn’t fit in with the many kids in my schools and often stayed to myself. I would occasionally have outbursts and anger issues that were holding me back from making something of myself. I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. My parents acknowledge it, but also understood that I should not let it define me. The experiences and issues I’ve been through shouldn’t erase you of your skills and your importance as a human being.

But the one thing that truly gave me comfort was writing. Writing helped me express myself through a plethora of ways that showcased my talents and my ability to understand my true self. Instead of crying, overthinking, and becoming upset about the many thoughts I had about my life and situations, I used it for inspiration to write and improve myself. Finding my new self within my love for writing and literature allowed me to become more social and step out of my comfort zone. In high school is where I was able to adapt and achieve the most. Throughout my time there I crafted and developed my skills in English, met and connected with people that instantly became influential to me, and took advantage of opportunities that are currently benefiting me towards my career. 

As I’m quickly stepping into the realm of my adult years, I bring together my expert process with writing to correlate with my purpose and outlook on life as a whole. While I was successfully burying the hardships that were stripping my character from many years ago, I still struggled through finding my purpose and place in this world. The fear and uncertainty I had with my future constructed into an existential crisis. Thankfully I quickly overcame it and adapted a positive and insightful outlook for myself.

I view the world around me as a multitude of many different things. I see it as a simulation, a dream, and a reality because of the many things that have happened throughout history and today. I become really curious about the many things that exist in the world, including how and why was it created at some point in history. Regardless of my skepticism that comes surrounding the world. I look past it in the sense of what it means for my life and how I can get the most out of it while I am here living and breathing. My life and reasoning on this earth have been highlighted like this: The meaning and purpose of my life is to achieve success and explore many opportunities that come to me. The life I have is in order to make something of myself, to be happy, to be financially, mentally, and physically stable.