I got an invitation from my elementary school. They wanted me to speak at the graduation. The letter also contained how proud they are of my achievements – the movie scripts I have written, tv shows I have created, and books I have published. They said that they are proud to have me as an alumnus.
To my elementary school, please don’t be proud. I feel no attachment with you. When I was there, you ignored me. I was just a fat kid in your eyes. You didn’t even want me to participate in school programs because I was too fat.
You also didn’t teach me how to love knowledge and learning. I understand that you are tired and don’t earn much but teaching has always been that way even before you started working for a license. If you couldn’t commit to the oath, why did you take it? Teaching is a vocation, you know that.
Teaching is one profession that must be done well because not doing so destroys thousands of lives. That’s what you did. I was too young. I didn’t know any better. All the things I was able to achieve, I did so out of my own willingness to learn and work. In fact, I am a late bloomer in my career because I didn’t start working towards something until I was much older, until I was old enough to realize I should love learning if I want to go somewhere.
You didn’t teach me how to dream. I learned that from the fuckin’ television and movies. I had a lot of time watching them because you weren’t really giving us substantial assignments that will motivate us to experiment and research.
You didn’t teach me to believe in myself. On the contrary, you made me insecure because I was fat.
You didn’t make me believe I can achieve anything. You didn’t open up possibilities. You never talked about scholarships. You never showed me beauty of the Earth, the wonders of biology, the preciousness of arts, and the magic of history.
So forgive me if I don’t really feel the need to say hello when I see you or express fondness towards you because I really don’t feel anything.
I pity the children that walk towards that school every day and I am sad to know that the crappy movies, tv shows, and books that I write will motivate them to do more and be more than you will ever do.
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