Jaylin Smith
Professor Dissinger
WRIT 340
6 December, 2023
Writing Paper #4
Learning surpasses the four walls of a classroom and begins long before we even step into the structured learning environment called school. From the moment of our birth, we find ourselves adapting to diverse people and surroundings and begin the process of human interaction. It begins in our earliest moments, from our first attempt at crawling, to walking, running, and finally reaching extraordinary heights like becoming a Division 1 Football player. It symbolizes a continual evolution of knowledge, a journey that intertwines with our lives–where we navigate the ebbs and flows of learning experiences. Amidst this journey, I have faced moments of insecurity, not just in the classroom, but in football and my relationships. I feel that at times, my contributions to these spaces can be meaningless, and I fail to realize the impact I can have on others’ lives and the space in which I occupy. I attribute these learning gaps to my upbringing in Palmdale, California, which contrary to my peers who grew up in the Palos Verdes Estates or attended private schools with limitless SAT tutors, college prep guides, and financial support from their families, were equipped to face college in ways I could never imagine. I’m not talking about the educational aspect of attending college, but the part where you become financially independent, suddenly have to file taxes and are responsible for yourself from one day to the next. Being Black at the University of Spoiled Children usually means you’re an athlete, and not necessarily meant for the classroom, but meant to generate millions of dollars for the university. When you are built to believe certain things about yourself, it is almost as if society molds you into who they think you should become, and breaking that boundary can be extremely difficult to break without a solid support system, or having someone who believes in you. As an athlete on scholarship, I am grateful to be expanding my learning through higher education but have learned that my learning process will never compare to that of my peers and that the most valuable learning experiences will probably take place outside of these four walls.
Growing up in an impoverished community, I knew it would be imperative for me to formulate a plan to escape my destiny. My destiny was written far beyond my birth and is deep-rooted in system issues of the American government. Had I chosen to be troubled or hang around the wrong crowds, I would end up involved in a gang, misusing drugs, and probably end up incarcerated. The truth of the matter is that this is the harsh reality for many of my family members, my brother for one, being incarcerated. As a child, I knew this life was not meant for me, and I was drawn to sports; specifically football. It can be said that this was my first ever real-life learning experience. I learned that actions have consequences, and that’s not a theory, Newton’s Third Law of Physics says every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Understanding the impact of my actions as a Black young child, I decided to take football seriously. After joining Coach Snoop’s football league at the prime of my youth, I learned that other youth in similar predicaments had to find a way out, and the way out would not necessarily be school, but securing higher education through sport. I decided to take this opportunity seriously by showcasing my talents on a Netflix show that would garner the eyes of thousands of football enthusiasts, drawing my personality to revolve around social media platforms. During this experience, I learned the importance of being unapologetically myself, and not having to change for anyone. As a Black person in America, you are told to lie down, watch your surroundings, remain extra respectful, and keep your guard up. It’s a never-ending cycle and fear that you may be disliked or hated by the wrong person. This weight I would carry forever became my greatest tool, further reminding me that by being the most authentic version of myself–just like everyone else is told. Maybe, by being myself, the right people would like me so that I could end up with a strong support system, and be protected at all times. So I did it, I escaped my destiny and decided to create my path.
Growing up the way that I did, I learned the importance of loving others for who they are as people, not for what they did in their past. It allowed me to expand my perspective on the world and understand that sometimes, people do bad things because of their circumstances, not because they necessarily want to. When contrasting this perspective with athletes, numerous individuals are pulled towards gang violence or fall into abusive relationships due to familiarity — whether absorbed from family or social circles. This has further solidified the importance of education, especially learning skills beyond the classroom to avoid regressing to negative patterns. For example, when many individuals end up in a professional sports team, whether it be the NBA or NFL, they are given lucrative opportunities and checks with more 0s than they could have ever imagined. However, instead of utilizing these resources for personal development or future stability, many splurge on designer clothing and jewelry to garner attention, and indulge in drugs and alcohol to address emotional voids that money alone cannot fill. Consequently, they end up in various troubles. As someone with aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, I understand that to break this continuous cycle, I must have a concrete education when it comes to dealing with peer pressure. I must learn to be smart and put my morals to the test, which is oftentimes not taught in the classroom but learned through experiences from attending college. These are learnings that go far beyond a discussion board post and are real-life experiences that I am currently living through the mistakes of others.
Before coming to USC, I don’t think I grasped how smart my peers were. As someone who does not necessarily consider themselves to add to educational conversations, I have felt that I offer a distinct perspective given my life experiences. From the beginning, I became interested in getting to know my classmates as people, to drawing social connections beyond the classroom. At USC, we are told time and time again to make use of the infamous Trojan Network. As a student-athlete, this network looks a little different, where I can find myself connecting with former All-Americans, mentors, and coaches. Still, I find that being surrounded by such smart individuals in a classroom setting, I can gain valuable insight and life skills that will prepare me for a life after sport. These individuals often go on to start their own companies which can be beneficial to my career as we can one day potentially work in collaboration. Once again, I have found that the majority of scholastic journeys take place outside of the classroom, using foundational skills taught by my professors, and implementing them in all aspects of my life.
During my three years as a veteran member of the football team, we have consistently been taught new philosophies aimed at fostering brotherhood and nurturing a growth mindset, intended to be reflected on and off the field. In the beginning, we were taught the E+R=O mindset, emphasizing that an event combined with a response yields an outcome. Just as I consciously chose football as a means to navigate past systemic barriers, sidestepping the stereotypical fate of a young Black man, I dedicated myself to excelling in both football and academics while embracing the challenges in between. My educational journey has been essential in cultivating my growth mindset, and enhancing my intelligence while honing in on confronting adversities I faced while growing up. Even during my time at USC, I’ve come to understand that every event and its corresponding response ultimately shape an outcome. By mastering the art of a growth mindset, I have witnessed changes in my personal and professional growth. By acquiring new knowledge, I have felt an immense sense of gratitude and satisfaction which has allowed me to witness my ideas to be converted into a reality. This process of learning has motivated me by providing me with a tangible testament to the power of learning and its transformative impact.
Throughout this paper, I have discussed my journey of growing up Black, and how this has affected various facets of my life, not necessarily focusing on my scholastic journey in the classroom. I have learned that to break systemic barriers, I have had to hone in on skills that make me, me. The journey of learning extends far beyond the confines of a traditional classroom setting. From my earliest interactions and adaptations to diverse surroundings since birth to becoming a Division 1 Football player, I have seen myself rise to the top and achieve my dreams on my own–showcasing an evolution of knowledge. By facing moments of insecurity in academic and personal spheres, I have reflected on struggles and resilience in breaking boundaries. My path within the realm of education has reinforced the idea of being unapologetically oneself, challenging societal norms, and seeking one’s unique identity. While my journey of learning and education has not taken a traditional form, it has most definitely benefited me when it comes to building knowledge and storytelling. I can connect experiences of my youth, even if not so positive, and apply them to my learnings. Education has allowed me to build my path and be in control of my destiny.
