The Power of One

What is the power of one?

Sometime in October, my classes and I had a discussion that keeps coming back to me.

What is the power of one?

In order to study author’s purpose and to prepare for the roadies to come and visit our school, we watched the “Invisible Children-Rough Cut” documentary. After watching the film, our discussion turned to what a person can do. After all, here were three young boys who went to Africa with cameras from eBay who started a revolution both in America and in Africa. Are there still troubles in Africa? Sure. A student quoted Coach Ryan in saying, “you have to move mountains one stone at a time.” Change has happened in Africa, and because of these individuals, mountains were (and are) moving.

This discussion took place on October 20th. This was a day that people decided to wear purple in order to remember “the 6 young gay men who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools.” So I also brought up the topic of bullying. People often forget the power that they have. How their words can hurt, change someone; drive a person to do something drastic.

So what is the power of one?

My guess is that it is something that can move mountains or move a person to the point of no return. And my goal is to use my power for good, and to encourage those around me to use their power for good. We should, “Tell all the stones we are building a castle.”

The perfect end to this sentiment is this video clip, “Shake the Dust.” Appropriately, it was delivered at a “To Write Love On Her Arms” event, which focuses on teen depression and suicide.
Jedidiah says that the poet, Anis Mojgani, “remind[s] everyone the power of words and the value in their stories.”

Without further ado…this is for the school yard wimps and the former prom queens for the teachers and for the students for you and for me…shake the dust!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qDtHdloK44