You Cannot Be What You Cannot See

The importance of visibility and representation cannot be overstated when it comes to conversations about personal development. We live in a society where labels play a pivotal role in our understandings of reality. It informs us of who we are, those around us and the expectations that each label carries.

Understanding this, it is not difficult to imagine how misinformation about being labeled poor can be used to discriminate against groups of people for the gain of a few. This post addresses how hard it can be to aim for the highest version of ourselves when the requisite information is unavailable 




It is graduation season here in Jamaica and spirits are high in celebration of an academic tenure coming to a close. One  swells with feelings of fulfillment as he/she accounts the hard work and sacrifices made in order to meet the qualifications of their respective degrees.

Naturally, thankfulness is also an emotion felt by many, but more specifically myself, when I think of the individuals who made my completion possible. I consider tertiary education in Jamaica to be a privilege. It feels second nature to those who have matriculated, however, for many living in urban areas a college degree is elusive.

This is not a post about tertiary education necessarily but one's belief that this and other achievements one is expected to have is something considered attainable. I am a product from a social understanding that by some standards would be described as poor. Automatically, when one imagines the living circumstances of those who lead life in poverty, these thoughts are less than uplifting. To a large extent, this is as a result of social labeling and its role as a teaching tool in informing society as to what life in the proverbial inner city is like.

I say you cannot be what you cannot see in homage to the many around me who were forced to give up because they were socialized to consider certain achievements unimaginable. This and the social barriers  that inhibit their access to vital resources. It is frightening to hear the stories of some in their own words how they see themselves, how they perceive society sees them and how they see others considered more fortunate than they are.

It is easy to dismiss how powerful representations of success in our surroundings can be in shaping the mindset of a developing individual. We take cue from those we are related to or in some way see ourselves in as to what is possible regarding the quality of our future. Therefore, if positive examples of these possibilities are nonexistent then one is left vulnerable to the noose of low self-esteem.

The point of this post is to first be thankful to those who paved the way and bear as physical representatives that a purpose is possible. Secondly, remain aware of the responsibility to pay it forward once you have achieved your wildest dreams. Lastly, to those without representation, beware of the temptation to dismiss your dreams, a feeling propelled by low self-worth. Information is power so it is your responsibility to seek the information you need to empower yourself.

You don’t have to stay down there – there’s enough sun for everyone. You just have to be bold enough to stand up and see for yourself !