Breaking out of the Ivory Tower

I have enjoyed my time as a student but as of late, I have become disenfranchised with the ivory tower in which I spend most of my day. Educational institutions--especially universities that pride themselves on rigorous academic study--have gained the reputation of being ivory towers--sort of disconnected from the rest of society. Of course, in part, academia is meant to be a place to explore ideas without some of the challenges posed by public opinion or government bureaucracy. And while many of the professors with whom I learn are practitioners as well as academics, at times the ideas seem too grandiose and unachievable.

This may be a simplistic example, but I am constantly humbled when I travel to and from school. I take a city bus for about 15 minutes to and from school every day. During this bus ride, I have often been a part of many conversations related to daily struggles. Public transport in America certainly exemplifies some of the most diverse segments of our society, though I would imagine the rich are not well represented. Anyway, while the ideas I learn at school seem great, when I interact with my fellow bus riders, I realize that our topics of interest may not be important to the typical American.

In part, this is our challenge--to look at issues from a broad perspective. To see poverty as not only an issue of income but also one of health, nutrition, disempowerment, educational inequalities, and environmental injustices, is a part of what I am learning. So in many ways the conversations I have on the bus are necessary in helping me understand critical issues that I don't necessarily study at school.

And thus, while I find myself frustrated with the theory and writing that I do on a daily basis that doesn't seem to be read, I am reminded that what I really want to break free from is constraints of inaction. I envision a time when I can once again take time out of my day to volunteer, to be an activist and work towards a brighter future. It is not as though we are prohibited from doing so, but since I am paying thousands of dollars a semester for this education, I realize my focus now must be on learning the material. But, my soul tells me that I cannot only study, I must also act. And, in the near future, I look forward to being able to put back into action that activist spirit that has led me to where I am today. When that spirit has been reignited, I look forward to joining together in a desire for peace and sustainability. The ivory towers will continue to flourish, but I hope, also, that the students they produce become not only theorists but also practitioners and activists.