Monday, December 11, 2017

A Blackbelt Story - Leaders Leave a Legacy - Tiyi Morris Inspires All




NAME:  Tiyi Morris
TRAINING YEARS:  6
                                                            CURRENT RANK: 2nd Degree Blackbelt T'ang Soo Do

I aspire to a legacy of positive influence…

When I think about the people on whom I wish to leave a lasting positive impression, my children are, of course, first. I want them to act with kindness and compassion, to embrace hard work and perseverance, and to speak up and do the right thing, especially when it is difficult. I hope that I have modeled this behavior for them so that as they mature these will become guiding principles in their lives.

I hope that my legacy is also evident in the students that I have taught. My purpose as an educator is to not only expand my students’ minds, but to inspire and prepare them to dismantle the systems of oppression that plague our society. I am not imparting knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but to help equip students to create a more just world. I hope that the knowledge and insights they gain in my classes will help them better understand themselves and their place in society and that they will move forward with the desire to create their own legacies of positive influence.

Though martial arts, as one of the few women to obtain a Black belt at Koguryo Tang Soo Do, I hope to inspire other women and girls to persevere in a male-dominated activity. I want girls and women of all ages to see that it is never too late to start a new and that growth is the result of challenging oneself, even, and perhaps especially, if there are failures along the way.

Finally, I aspire to a legacy of positive influence through my scholarship, which centers Black women’s history and experiences, an aspect of our historical narrative that is often overlooked. It is my responsibility to present an accurate historical representation of the contributions of Black people in general and Black women, in particular. And through my efforts for social justice and my work with organizations to improve the lives of oppressed and marginalized peoples. Whether my name is remembered or not, I want to know that I have played a role in supporting members of our society who are neglected, mistreated, or powerless.  


Tiyi

No comments:

Post a Comment