When I watched "Explaining the Inequalities in Education in Chicago," I had an array of thoughts and emotions. I was shocked to hear all the different facts that tried to explain why there is inequality in our education system. I was surprised to discover that 15% of students are proficient in math, 17% of students are proficient readers. As a person who is privileged in having the ability to read and do math, I found myself saddened by the fact that so many students in the US lack simple skills such as reading. The ability to read is so valuable and it opens individuals to a world of opportunity, and not being able to have that skill makes me upset because there is something wrong in our education system. I was also shocked to discover that researchers can estimate how many prison cells they need by the rate of illiteracy rates. I just find it shocking that there is such a strong association between illiteracy and the risk you have of going to prison.

Listening to London, I was flabbergasted because his poem is so well written, but at the same time it is about a serial issue. I had to watch this video several of times. The first time I found myself admiring how eloquently he used his words, and the tone of voice to impact the viewer. The second time around I found myself paying closer details to what he was talking about. The overall message I got from his poem was that our education system is not created equal. The education system has one means of functioning, and it is not flexible to adapt to the needs and struggles of different students. The education system seems to benefit the driveler, but screw over the poor and unfortunate. There were two phrases that struck me the most. The first was  " Soldiers in a war-zone" I think that it is sad that he refers to our education system in such a negative way, this goes to show how serious an issue inequalities in education is. The ending quote, "An American dream that fails us all" had such a strong impact on me because it is such a pessimistic and hopeless perspective. Sadly, this quote is true because in the end the inequality in our education system ends up affecting everyone.

"WHEN YOU WANT IT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO BREATHE YOU'LL BE SUCCESSFUL!

 I am not going to lie, but when I watched this video I got teary-eyed. I'm not sure why I did, but at the end of the video I felt inspired. This video re-enforced in me the mindset of what it takes to be successful. It got me to reevaluate what I want to do, what decisions I am making to make it happen. It also made me reevaluate the things I wanted to improve on, but I have not for what ever reason. If I really want it then I have to make it happen. Overall I really enjoyed this video because it is thought provoking and inspirational. With that said one of my sources of motivation would have to be my little brother. I can not explain it, but every time I see him I light up, and all the bad stuff goes away. I want to be successful for him. I want to be that positive role model that he looks up to, and I want to inspire him to be successful too. The thought of reaching my goals and aspirations only to share them with my little brother, friends,family, and others is what keeps me going. The anticipating of touching others lives with what ever career I choose to do is what truly motivates my actions.

I am excited for next week! I am looking forward to getting to finally meet the students we will be helping. I am glad to interact with the students, but I am also nervous because our actions are going heavily affect how they look at us and Loyola. Despite this, I think that everyone is going to do wonderful, and things will run smoothly.