Because I am Here

In my world, I am the difference. My challenge and responsibility is to be refined amid mediocrity, focused amongst indulgence, and hopeful at all costs. I am incurably confident that my efforts can make my sphere of influence—my world—better. Though my world is filled with questions, I always carry two answers with me; each with five fingers and a good grip.

There is inherent strength in the titles I hold: “Husband,” “Student,” “Friend,” “Citizen,” “Brother.” These titles grant me the ability to change my sphere of influence. I can exercise my rights as a husband or friend to give love and support. I have the ability to improve campus life as a Student. As a Citizen, I can change the course of history.

At 4:00pm on Tuesday, 11 September, 2001, I was finishing an architectural drawing class. I, with the whole human family, was exhausted and emotionally spent. After an hour-long lecture our professor, Julio Bermudez, instructed us to work on our drawing assignment. Homework of any sort seemed trivial and sacrilegious; I became quickly annoyed at his apparent callousness.

Then he paused; and, in his thick Brazilian accent, began speaking to us as Architects. “Today we have witnessed the most anti-architectural act conceivable. We are Architects. We do not believe in death and destruction. We believe in life. We create. You are angry right now. But if you really want to retaliate, if you really want to take a stand and make a difference, then what better way to fight than to go out and do Architecture. Go and create, and you will retaliate in the best way you can. Now, go out and draw!”

No more appropriate words were ever spoken. As a Student, Friend, Citizen, or Brother, I will fight. When I serve, I serve with vision. And when I create, I create in bold defiance of everything that is destructive and evil.

My world, no matter how big or small, will be better because I am here.