Addressing My "Ignorance"
Start writing a post
Student Life

Addressing My "Ignorance"

I am not lacking in experience just because I am young

154
Addressing My "Ignorance"
Quotefancy

A few weeks ago I wrote a post on Facebook about the Take a Knee protest. I got a lot of negative feedback, mainly from family, and a common theme of the responses was that I was ignorant and lacking in experience. That was not the first time I have gotten reactions like that, but this time I started to really question it. I asked myself, 'What is experience and is time equivalent to gaining that experience?' The answer I ended up coming up with is no, and I tend to explain why in this article.

The first thing I thought about was my experience and if I was lacking in some sort of knowledge that I can only get with age. I realize that I am constantly learning, but I also came to the conclusion that I have had a lot more experiences than half my family that was accusing me of being too young to understand. I grew up quickly, because I had to help out with taking care of my grandparents. I went to college and helped to found a chapter of a historical organization. I created panels and events for diversity awareness. I traveled Europe and worked with refugees and learned from their first-hand experience. That is only covering a few things that I have done so far in my life. So how am I lacking experience of the world when I have literally seen the world and had my mind shaped by it?

Secondly, I went on to think about the experiences of other people who are my age. I have learned in college that many people my age grow up quickly. I have learned that people may have hard times, but they are always continuing to fight. Are the people that are my age lacking in experience when they might have had to be an adult since they were six? No, they are not. People gain experience and knowledge from their lives and education, not from their time on Earth. Sure, some things may come with time, but most people learn things at different times in their lives. Therefore, you cannot tell someone they are lacking in experience when you do not know what their lives have been like.

Lastly, I reflected on this question when talking with one of my professors. He gave me another perspective. He told me that family members, no matter how much I argue against them, will always think that I lack experience and that I am ignorant. He suggested for me to explain to them that what they get in experience, I can get from a book, which will help me evolve quicker than they did. He also said that I should feel sorry for them because they are stuck. I agree with him, because a great big chunk of my knowledge is from my education, obviously. I have read so many books in college, and they have helped me to better understand how we got to where we are today, which is why I am better able to shape my ideas to figure out how to move forward. In a way, students today are more experienced than everyone from the generation above us.

"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge."

Experience of adults looks like knowledge, but it really is not. Who is really ignorant then?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

10092
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

942205
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

119394
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments