Why Should I? Why Did They? Why Do They?

As early as kindergarten, I was aware of my intellectual curiosity. I love that there is a picture somewhere of me in a blue shirt, purple corduroy pants, and brown double-buckle shoes, leading my kindergarten class in reciting the ABCs.

It was evident that my family—two parents and nine children, five girls and four boys—did not have a lot of money or material things. Fortunately, we did have an abundance of love and positive intentionality, which was shared generously.

I also realized that I had plenty of “free” time. As their eighth child, my parents knew to always have a recommendation ready for how I could use it: household chores, homework, runs to the neighborhood grocery store, and more. So, I quickly began creating my own plans to do the things I wanted to do before I was told what to do.

This led to a question I still ask myself at least ten times a day: Why do I want to do this instead of that?

After years of living and learning, I have gotten pretty good at answering that question for myself. I ask it about almost everything I do.

Why do I want to get up this morning?

Why do I want to fulfill the responsibilities of the job I have?

Why do I want to act in ways that not only benefit my own well-being but also help others do the same?

Why do I want to be prepared and capable of helping someone I may randomly encounter who needs help?

As I have matured, I have added another question: Why should I want to do something?

One strong answer that comes to mind is that I had two parents who committed their lives to raising nine children. That required tremendous effort and sacrifice every day, and they were not always appreciated for it.

Their life stories, which include moving from their birthplace in lower southwest Georgia to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, give me some answers to the question: Why did they?

Why did they make those choices?

Why did they accept those responsibilities?

Why did they continue sacrificing, even when those sacrifices were not always recognized?

I constantly reflect on my own answer to another question: Why did I choose to serve as a United States Marine?

My answer is multifaceted and deeply personal, as it should be. It is a combination of what I wanted to do and what I felt I should do.

I am proud of my service and of every person who has served honorably in the United States military.

I am currently participating in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department’s Community Engagement Academy. One major reason I chose to participate is to gain insight from police officers into the question: Why do they choose to serve?

I previously participated in the FBI Washington Field Office Citizens Academy to gain insight into that same question from its agents.

Just as with my own answer, the insights I have heard have been multifaceted and personal. Some factors are common, while others are unique to each person.

One thing shared across nearly all forms of service is the requirement to commit and sacrifice in ways, and at times, that are rarely appreciated adequately.

But service, like patriotism, is not something everyone chooses to embody. The more difficult the effort required, the fewer people choose to commit to it.

That is why I present urban Patriot as an authentically inclusive brand. At the same time, I understand that the principled belief behind its creation is not something everyone will choose to embrace.

Patriotism is easy to claim. It is much harder to live.

It requires us to consider what we are willing to contribute, what responsibilities we are prepared to accept, and what sacrifices we are willing to make for something larger than ourselves.

Many things seem impossible until someone does them.

When one person steps forward, they create belief in what is possible. Their example allows others to imagine that they, too, can serve, lead, contribute, and make a difference.

I am an urban Patriot, and I accept the call to serve.