This quote reminds me of how in high school, students spend a good majority of their time questioning what the point of school as a whole is-- why do we take a variety of classes, rather focusing solely on the ones that pertain to what we (think) we want to for the rest of our lives? How can we get the best grades while putting in the least amount of effort? Why do our tests focus so heavily on analysis of our concepts instead of testing facts? In the face of these questions, students then tend to simply get through high school by memorizing their information and then forgetting it after tests, neglecting classes they find “arbitrary,” and simply trying to get through high school rather than enjoying it. The interesting truth of it all, however, is that the entire point of high school is to learn how to learn. High school is an environment for exploration on a smaller scale-- students have a plethora of classes so that they do not go into any college major completely blind to what the topics entail, and they analyze in order to prepare slowly for the “messiness” that is real world applications of concepts. Most importantly, students are being given so much information on such a variety of topics, and they are supposed to digest the information, rather than memorizing and then simply forgetting it all. When you learn how to learn, you go into your life more intrigued by your surroundings and more motivated to work towards an actual career or other goal. Thomas Jefferson believed that learning happens everywhere and anywhere, and this in combination with my aforementioned thoughts prompts me to think-- how can we restructure public high schools in a way that actually fosters a sense of learning rather than showing students simply how to “survive” and “memorize?”

This segment hints nicely towards the idea that education serves as a beacon of hope for those individuals who are less fortunate in their daily lives, who live in uncomfortable, nonoptimal living conditions, or who simply dream of creating better, happier lives for themselves in their futures. America is founded on three predominant ideals-- change, the individual’s ability to take matters into their own hands, and the overall individual growth that stems from change. Americans do not have to live their same types of lives forever, nor do they have to be the same type of person they have always been. Because of this mentality, many individuals are able to mentally cope with their negative living conditions by using their education, and the type of life they wish to establish as a result of it, as their motivating factor. They can hence further push themselves to work as hard as possible in their schooling and to become as intellectual as they can, just so that they can experience a sense of contentedness with their lives. Finding inspiration in other individuals or peers who have become successful as a result of education serves as another motivating factor, since humans like to have concrete evidence of the fact that their efforts are actually being accounted for something positive. Taking this a step further, this reminds me of the overall beauty of education-- that it is never too late to become educated, nor is there such thing as too much education. Throughout normal life, there are single mothers who set out to get a better education in order to provide better lives for their families, immigrants who want to establish themselves and find success in America, young adults who want to grow up and live out their lifelong dreams, middle-aged adults who want to try out new careers or lifestyles-- the types of these individuals are endless. Education ultimately ends up becoming a key element in both attempting to find optimal life satisfaction and figuring out one’s life purpose.

The thought that education should be left to “private and individual effort” is an utmost privileged form of thought. Education is supposed to be mankind’s great equalizer in that it is supposed to give individuals of all backgrounds both the opportunity to reach their fullest potentials and the chance to even move up in the hierarchy that is classism. In other words, education is supposed to give everyone an equal chance at the “journey” or “means” to the type of life they want to live. This equality cannot be possible if we leave education up to “private and individual effort," and if we do not have at least some form of overarching intervention. This is because on the individual level, each class of people vary in the materials, connections, and means they have to give themselves a wholesome education. The richer individuals have more materials and connections, while the poorer individuals have less, and so leaving education up to them to figure out would mean more division between the classes. The richer individuals will become more educated and thus more powerful, while the poorer individuals become more and more inferior. I’m glad the University creators did not listen to those individuals who held this quote’s opinions, because if we based education on our external differences, our world would not be as inclusive or advanced as it is today. Even today, we have other means to ensure poorer individuals have at least some chance at attaining a higher education, including actions such as scholarships and mentorships. We do not let anyone go unnoticed.

The purpose of this quote is to justify just how important education truly is not just to the individual who is getting educated, but to those around him or her as well-- education helps individuals help their communities. Though this is a seemingly positive statement, what is interesting to me is how the positivity ends when you consider this quote’s implications. Jefferson built this university solely with the intent to give white males the opportunity to learn and succeed, meaning that these “statesmen, legislators, and judges” who are supposed to be helping their communities further thrive are only that-- white and male. In solely allowing white males the freedom to become educated and to hence take on these higher positions of authority, this University further insinuated the division between white individuals and other races, implying that the white race is superior to others and that these other races do not have the capabilities to lead their own communities. The point of education is to be the great equalizer and to allow all types of people the chance to help lead their communities, but with Jefferson’s mindset, one of the most accessible types of equalities becomes further impossible. Thankfully, in today’s day and age, we have instances such as affirmative action to help us ensure education actually is the great equalizer, allowing all types of people-- no matter their background-- the opportunity to reach their fullest potentials and to use their educations to aid others.