Obsession

In a society obsessed with success measured by statistics, numbers, figures and alphabets, we have forgotten what it means to be truly successful.

In a culture consumed by misplaced notions of material profit and mercantilistic progress, we have allowed inane and insubstantial labels empty of any true meaning or value to define who we are. We append our sense of self, our identity, our self-worth on worthless inscriptions, empty signifiers. We cede our sense of autonomy, personhood, self-esteem and value to external judgements.

In today's merciless and misguided education system, there is only one definition of success, and one 'pass' grade. All other grades, like those who have the 'misfortune' of obtaining them, are failures... And they would certainly be 'failures' in life.

Who are we then? Who are you without your 'A'? Or is that all you are?

What is the value of an 'A' when everyone else seems to have one? Does that grade truly affirm your intellectual ability, your effort, your diligence, your innovative curiosity, your spurious creativity? Or does it weave delusions about your own abilities? If you could see and only knew, you would think this is pittance.

But you cannot see in the same way you could not see and would not possibly have known how this 'A' came to be; how all around you seem to have what you possess. You cannot see, and could not have seen, the reality that speaks greater volumes of a fabricated and engineered success.

While I'm relieved and overjoyed about this 'success' I would appreciate not hearing another intoxicated announcement of an 'A' in an assessment that in the larger scheme of things is trivial waste matter. This grade, like any, says nothing about you. For in time, it deceives more than it does speak a truth. For your obsession with this petite accomplishment stands against everything I believe in as an educator. For this was not what I taught you to value...

Spare me this obsession...