Uniqueness, Compassion, and Courage: My Journey in Political Science

My father once told me that the greatest men in history were those who showed their uniqueness through their intelligence those worked to not only improve but to insure a culture of compassion and courage was left behind. Those who could think unique at a higher level than their peers leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois who I have come to highly respect, they left a culture and way of thinking that was unique. I would like to make a difference in this world and dedicate myself to the greater good of humanity. I Kenneth Gathimbi feel that furthering my education at a higher level will help me achieve this goal and a degree in political science would further my understanding on how to serve the people as a public servant. I come from a diverse background

originating from Nairobi, Kenya I have gotten the opportunity to view the world from different lenses that have given me an open mind to new and different ideas. I believe that a person who puts their personal needs aside to serve others is a person of the utmost respect and honor. Which is why I am determined to make a difference in this world serving others making sure that I leave this world knowing I have succeed in making a difference at home and across the globe in many other communities.
What has shaped my worldview is my constant reflection of how I have been fortunate enough to have the chance to accel in my studies compared to other who do not have the opportunity. I have come to appreciate the decision of my father striving to make sure my life is abundant in opportunity unlike his was. From a young age ideas of helping others and creating a difference were instilled in me by my compassionate mother and father. My father being from a humanitarian background working as pastor in Kenya that eventually brought him the opportunity to further his education obtaining his masters in theology at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Which has opened numerous doors for himself and our family.
I come from a line of great men in my family both my grandfathers had the honor in playing a role in the Mau Mau Uprising of Kenya in which they worked with leaders like Tom Mboya and Jomo Kenyatta. Their legacy is something I like to think constantly about, knowing that they sacrificed so much in order to birth the free Republic of Kenya. I hope that I doing the best I can to make sure that the qualities they had are living on in me. The qualities of unselfishness and courage to act on bettering the greater good assuring that the ideas of freedom prevail beyond their graves.
My biggest test of adversity that I still have today is learning where I fit in America and with the heritage of my homeland, Kenya.

But I also believe this is has made me capable of maturing into a contributing member of society. I’ve been known to take a light-hearted outlook on life choosing to look at the upside of situations that I come across but I also understand when life calls for me to be a serious, smart and a composed decision maker. I still look back to the events that shaped me whether its being in my first class in the U.S. and putting glue on my lips thinking it was chapstick I will never forget the puzzled faces around me. It was a very embarrassing moment for me but when look back on I think of how we are oblivious to the limits of our knowledge; we only realize this when we look back and reflect on it. I believe that continuing my education to the highest level will help me realize my limits and overcome them becoming a better person in the process. What makes me unique is my drive to make an impact on the lives of many and not just myself. I believe that we all be graded on the degree of excellence we show in our lifetime and I intend working intensely so that one day my uniqueness will have made a

difference.