- Eichel Davis
The College Journals: Conclusion
Can we talk, one final time?
I promise not to take too much of your time, but I do have a few more things to say. I have a few more grand statements to make, a few more corny lines to deliver. But in all seriousness, this is a bittersweet moment. We’ve come to the end of our conversation this year. We’ve reached the end of the dog days that sophomore year brought.
It was hard at times, disheartening at others, and downright brutal in cases. We weather storms, brought down age old stigmas, and became a national symbol of how our country is changing. We lost some of our own, and it’s just as tragic today as it was then. We’ve said goodbye to too many, and until next time to the captain of our ship. But through all of it, we showed who we were.
We showed how strong we were. We showed the world what change could be, what the lost generation could do. And yes, some of them will never get it. But luckily for us, their opinions don’t matter. They never walked the halls of these buildings, never sat in the classrooms, or engaged in tough conversations on the grassy quad. They were never here. Let them continue to spew whatever wrong information they obtain. Because all of us, we will know the truth. And that’s all that matters.
When I first started writing this series, I had one goal. I wanted to tell stories, and shed some light onto what this college thing is actually like (the jury is still out on my success). I didn’t pretend to have the answers, because college is a place where there isn't one answer. There isn't one way, one how, or one path. But there are things that affect us all, no matter what we believe in, who we love, or what situation we’re about to go home to.
We all struggle, even the best of us. We all have convictions we hold onto dearly, and we all are looking for lifelong friends. And most importantly, we’re all dream. And maybe Mizzou (or whatever college you’re at) hasn’t been easy for you. Maybe it hasn’t been the land of milk and cookies. Maybe it’s beat you down. Hell, maybe it’s taken some of those lifelong friends. And if it has I am so sorry.
But I will ask you this, before you give up on it. Why did you come here in the first place? Some of your answers won’t be grand, but some of you have truly lost track of your anchors. Some of us have let things get in the way. You’ve let roommates, school, money, and others get in the way of your Mizzou. So ask yourself why you came here, and why you fell in love with Black and Gold in the first place.
To be honest guys, i have no idea what Junior year will bring us, the great class of 2018. I know we’ve had some Sacred Nights. And we’ve Filled The Pages Of Our Books. We’ve met many future Bridesmaids And Groomsmen. Yes, Rainy Days have passed, some things have been Taken And Given. All in Dreamville.
So I guess there’s only thing left to say to all of you. Thank you. Thank you for listening to my stories. Thank you for engaging in the conversations. Thank you being gamechangers, instead of naysayers.
And thank you for proving to everyone, what we can be, and what we will do.
EICHEL | @EichelGDavis
