Who you?

From My Perspective

By Toni Walker

editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

I love my job. I can honestly say that statement is true. It is not one that I ever thought I would have, but it is really becoming something I love. An added plus is that I really enjoy every aspect of what I do. From covering different events, to taking pictures, there really is not a portion of my job that I would prefer not to do.

One of the most interesting parts of what I do is the people that I have gotten to meet in the year and a half I have been the editor for The Steel Country Bee. Now, I have always been one who enjoyed meeting people, especially famous people, those with a story to tell. But, with my line of work, I have already had the opportunity to meet people I never would have dreamed possible in the past.

The other night, I had the opportunity to meet the internationally known artist, Karl Wilkes. Wilkes served as the personal artist to Rosa Parks for seven years before her death, and his artwork has been in museums all over the world.

During his introduction, before he explained his works on display, Wilkes shared a story of his uncle, who was a Vietnam Veteran that drank. Wilkes told the group that he came home from school to find his uncle sitting in front of the television, while things were left undone at the home. As Wilkes berated his uncle for not doing anything, the man stood, face to face with Wilkes and asked him, “Who you?” Wilkes described that as a turning point in his life.

Who you? This is not just a statement that his uncle asked Wilkes. This is a statement that we all must ask ourselves, and sometimes, we must ask it on a daily basis. It is not until we can truthfully answer the question, “Who you?” that we can truly know and become who we are meant to be.

As I sat and listened to Wilkes' presentation, I began to ask myself that question. Who you? Yes, I am Toni Walker, the editor at The Steel Country Bee. Yes, I am a wife, and a mother. But, really, who am I? And, on top of that, who do I want to be?

I know I may never be nationally known like Karl Wilkes. I may not even be known as an editor outside of this immediate area. But, I want my words to mean something. I want to be able to write something that relates to people. If one of my columns can help someone through whatever they are going through, then that is who I am. And that is who I want to be. Wilkes said the greatest gift we have is not our talents, it is our lives. And if letting people into my life is how I can help them, then that is who I am.

Now, I know the answer to Wilkes’ question, “Who you?” I am me. Not based on anyone’s opinions or thoughts about me or who I should be. I am me. Now, I ask you to answer the same question. Because, until you do, you will never be all you are capable of. So, my friend, Who you?