Dr. Gbadegesin (self Actualization)

Dr. Gbadegesin’s lecture was about self-actualization, and I feel the main points were education, knowledge, and character. Education was a point he brought up many times with quotes and connecting the word with different things. He pointed out that not only does education fall under many fields, but also it can improve the human condition. With education we can help contribute to the human condition. He closed out with a few quotes about education and how with it we can find our proper place in life. As quoted by Dr. G from his power point, ”When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his ―proper place‖ and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to go back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary- Dr. Carter G. Woodson”. When we are educated we know our place without needing to ask or be told. We understand where we fit in and how we can contribute to the world. I feel that this is true because without education we would not know our places or what to do. By using education as the determining factor we figure out exactly what we need to do with our lives.

Dr. Gbadegesin also spoke about knowledge and the certain distinctions there are with knowledge. There is academic knowledge which is what is learned through research and schooling. He also spoke about the key distinctions between being knowledgeable, having wisdom, and being an intellectual. The difference is that knowledge is “the acquisition of factual information without insight into their supporting reasons” (Dr. Gbadegesin ) while “wisdom is nothing but humanly oriented knowledge with an account” (Dr. Gbadegesin). This means that wisdom is having knowledge and having deeper insight into the subject you are knowledgeable about and knowing what to do with it to help humanity and serve the community, while knowledge is just facts that one has without deeper insight. However being intellectual is having knowledge and knowing how it can benefit society, but not having the skill or connections necessary to make it happen. I consider myself an intellectual because at my age I have knowledge but not enough skill or connections to make things happen. However, I feel the skill and connections will come later in life as I get older.

The final point Dr. Gbadegesin made was about character. He emphasized that as human beings character is our most important possession. He illustrated that point with the story of Iwa. Iwa being a woman and a metaphor for character, was mistreated by her husband Orunmila (meaning god of wisdom). Iwa then left Orunmila, and Orunmila’s life began to fall apart. This story translated into regular words is saying that when a man abuses his wisdom or and uses it improperly, he damages his character. Once a man loses his character he has nothing, because his character is his most valuable possession. That story and metaphor really made me think about how I portray myself and how I use my talents that God has blessed me with. I’ve always been careful about how I reveal myself to people and I always ensure it is in a dignified way that does not seem like I am conceited or looking down on others. This story made me realize that because of how I am, I have a lot in my life. I have many friends and loved ones that love and enjoy me because I do not abuse my talents and knowledge, but I am humble about it. That says volume to my character and provides inspiration to those that are not so humble about things.

Finally, I would like to talk about the similarities between Dr.Carr’s and Dr. Gbadegesin’s lectures. They both discussed how Ancient Kemet is where things started. Dr. Carr talked about how Kemet is where words, libraries, numbers, and many other things originated. While Dr. Gbadegesin touched on how before the bible and the philosphers of Europe there where the ancient texts and philosophers of Egypt/Kemet. A really interesting thing he brought up was that in 1962 time magazine published a story that suggested that moses was inspired by the coffin texts and that is where the ten commandments were derived from.

I found this lecture very interesting and it lead to a lot of deep critical thinking on my part. It made me do a little self reflection and analysis, and judge who I am, what my purpose is, and how I portray myself.