Modern Gadly

The answer to the question, “who is the modern day Socrates?” is by no means a close ended question. Socrates is a unique human being in the sense that few people possess his combination of knowledge, willingness and ability to show it while questioning a public official. There are a number of people who question public officials in the media and in public settings like music and television, however, few, if any, succeed as Socrates did in bringing out the wrongdoings in a public official as Socrates was able to do.
One example of those who publicly question public officials is Rev. Jesse Jackson. Jesse Jackson is a leader in the black community, and mostly brings to view the treatment of blacks. His public appearances and writings frequently take to task members of society who are in power. This was shown particularly during the civil rights movement. Jackson was a leading spokesperson against the unjust laws and practices against the black community, and for that reason can be compared to a modern day Socrates.
Another example is the musical artist M.I.A.  M.I.A. is an artist who frequently sings about political matters. She is not a leader in movements as was Socrates, or Jesse Jackson, but she is an example of the way some use to voice their opinions through modern day media.
There are a number of other past and present examples both in media, and in equal rights movements.

Socrates

Is the unexamined life worth living?

Yes.

Socrates’ claim, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” is an unfair statement. Human beings will inevitably examine every choice that they make in life, but repeatedly asking yourself why you are what you are is not a necessary aspect of your life. Some people need that in order to live comfortably within themselves, and I respect that, but I do not think that it is anyone’s place to say whether or not someone’s life is worth living.

Now, that said, most people do examine their lives. Every decision that is made, along with most other things will be examined again and again, so it is an unavoidable part of your life. However, I take Socrates’ quote to mean something more than just weighing your options. I think that he is talking more about continually asking yourself questions about why you are doing what you are doing, and living your life based off of what you feel. I personally feel that a person is doing oneself a disservice by not examining what they are doing, and for what reason, but I stand strongly in my belief that it is ones choice to do as they wish. 

My Eulogy

     Samuel Howard Thompson was born at 7:30 a.m on November 11, 1992 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the second of two children bore that day to Hubert Thompson and Kennise Herring, and the youngest of their three. His older brother, Franklin, would serve as his role model for all of his athletic endeavors, and his twin sister, Vicky, would be his best friend until the day that he passed away.

     Sam began school at the age of three at the Ancona School; a small Montessori based school in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. From an early age, Sam was a standout athlete. He followed in his brother's footsteps, first in soccer, then in basketball. Sam excelled in school, as well as on the athletic field. At an early age, Sam showed an aptitude for mathematics. After the fourth grade, Sam quit playing soccer entirely when his older brother decided to make the jump to play basketball exclusively. While Ancona had historically been a poor basketball school because of its small size, that changed in Sam's last two years there. In his seventh grade year, with his best friend Ahmad Starks as point guard, Ancona had it's first perfect basketball season in the school's history. In his eighth grade year, Sam, along with his twin sister playing with him on the boys team, would accomplish that feat for a second time.

     Sam, along with his sister, followed in their older brother's footsteps by attending Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. Sam's athletic ability continued to be showcased throughout his high school career. Sam was a starter as a sophomore on the state championship basketball team; the second boys basketball title in Whitney Young's history. Sam would continue his stellar athletic career throughout high school. Sam was survived by his siblings and his parents. He will be greatly missed by a host of family and friend.