The Facts I Wasn’t Told Of

Growing up, we are often told certain things about the world that shape our understanding of it. We are taught about history, politics, science, and the arts. We are told about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and kindness. But what about the things we are not told? The facts that are left out of our education and upbringing can have a profound impact on our lives and our worldview. In this essay, I will explore some of the facts that I was not told growing up, and how they have influenced my understanding of the world.

One of the most significant things that I was not told growing up was the extent of the wealth gap in the world. I was raised in a middle-class family in a relatively affluent area, and while I knew that there were people who were less fortunate than me, I did not fully understand the scope of the issue. It was not until I began to travel and see the world that I realized the depth of poverty and inequality that exists.

The fact that I was not told about the wealth gap growing up has had a profound impact on my worldview. It has made me more aware of my own privilege and has taught me to be more empathetic towards those who are less fortunate. It has also made me more passionate about social justice issues and has inspired me to work towards creating a more equitable world.

Another fact that I was not told growing up was the extent of the damage that humans are causing to the environment. I was taught about the importance of recycling and not littering, but I was not told about the impact of deforestation, air pollution, and greenhouse gases on the planet.

As I have become more aware of the environmental crisis, I have realized that my lack of knowledge growing up has contributed to the problem. If more people were aware of the damage that humans are causing to the planet, they would be more likely to take action to address it. I believe that education about environmental issues should be a priority in our schools and communities, so that future generations can be more informed and take action to protect the planet.

A third fact that I was not told growing up was the extent of systemic racism in our society. I was taught that racism was a thing of the past, and that we had moved beyond it as a society. However, as I have grown older, I have come to realize that racism is still a pervasive issue in our society.

The fact that I was not told about systemic racism growing up has made me more aware of my own privilege and has taught me to be a better ally to marginalized communities. It has also made me more passionate about social justice issues and has inspired me to work towards creating a more equitable world.

Another fact that I was not told growing up was the importance of mental health. I was taught that mental health was not something that people talked about, and that it was a private matter. However, as I have grown older, I have come to realize the importance of mental health and the impact that it can have on our lives.

The fact that I was not taught about mental health growing up has made it more difficult for me to talk about my own struggles with mental health. It has also made me more passionate about destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting mental health education.

A fifth fact that I was not told growing up was the importance of financial literacy. I was taught how to save money and how to balance a checkbook, but I was not taught about investing, budgeting, or the importance of credit scores.

The fact that I was not taught about financial literacy growing up has made it more difficult for me to navigate the complex financial landscape as an adult. It has also made me more passionate about promoting financial education, so that others can be more informed and make better financial decisions.

In conclusion, the facts that I was not told growing up have had a profound impact on my life and my understanding of the world. These facts have made me more aware of my own privilege.