During my senior of college I fell in love with the Caribou Coffee on Roswell Road in Atlanta and would often camp out there to people watch, work on procrastinated papers, and read. It was during one such people watching session, that I stumbled into an article online about ending world poverty. I don’t remember the author of the article. I do not remember which website had published the article. I also have no idea which overly priced, caffeine injected drink I had ordered. What I DO remember is the quote the author was discussing.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” by Nelson Mandela.
This quote has come in and out of my life since that day and has, seemingly of it’s own accord, become a lens through which I perceive the world. There are several lines of thought and arguments about what defines “education” and it’s easy to get lost in the back and forth debate. My interpretation includes both the tangible and intangible chase of knowledge, the clarity of enlightenment, market impact assessment, the surprise of turning a new leaf, cultural research and exploration, traditional schooling, health awareness and the list continues. This quote allows the reader to harness whatever definition of education they are currently needing and use it as a mobilizer for change. It has served me well over the years and is a reminder that even when I cannot SEE change over night, I know that through the continual seeking of new education, it CAN and will happen.
How do you read this quote? How do you define education?
