Write with a Purpose

 Write with a Purpose

Reading and writing serve a wide range of purposes, from simple enjoyment to the transmission of knowledge, to theoretical or academic discourse, and even to raising awareness or influencing policy changes. Writing can serve as a powerful tool for communication, advocacy, education, and transformation. For me, however, writing has always been about creating change—whether that’s in a community, in individuals, or within systems.

While my academic training equipped me with research methods and theoretical frameworks, I quickly realized that their real-world application was more complex than what was taught in the classroom. Theories, no matter how well-constructed, often fail to account for the nuances of lived experience. In practice, one must continually adapt and refine theories based on what is observed on the ground. This has been one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my social work journey.

Professional social work taught me the importance of bridging theory and practice, and this connection forms a continuous cycle of growth and reflection. Theories provide a foundational understanding, but it’s the real-world experiences—those lived on the ground—that bring them to life and give them meaning. Through writing, I strive to document these experiences and, in doing so, not only connect them to the academic theories I’ve learned but also challenge and expand those theories. This dynamic interplay between theory and practice allows both to evolve, making the writing process itself a vehicle for transformation.

Both in law and social sciences, theory cannot exist in a vacuum. Legal principles, much like social science theories, need to be rooted in real-world experiences to be truly effective and impactful.

In the field of law, this connection is especially critical. The theoretical concepts of justice, rights, and equity must be applied to the concrete realities faced by clients. A lawyer's role goes beyond just understanding the technicalities of the law; it’s about translating those abstract principles into arguments that are grounded in the specific facts and circumstances of the case. Whether it's a criminal defense attorney advocating for fairness or a family lawyer fighting for a child's best interests, the legal framework must always be aligned with the human experience it seeks to govern or protect.

Similarly, in social sciences, theories are developed to explain human behavior, societal structures, and relationships. But these theories are only meaningful when connected to the lived experiences of individuals and communities. A theory about social inequality, for example, needs to be tested and refined through real-world data, observations, and interactions. Without this grounding, such theories remain theoretical abstractions, disconnected from the struggles and realities they aim to address.

This dynamic of theory meeting practice—whether in law, social work, or any other field—creates a powerful feedback loop. Theory helps guide action, but real-world action, in turn, challenges and refines theory. Both must evolve together for any meaningful change to occur. So, in both law and social science, it’s not enough to study or apply theory in isolation. We must always consider the practical realities, ensuring that the legal or theoretical frameworks are relevant, applicable, and just in the context of real people's lives.

Therefore, writing is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a tool for social change. It’s about giving voice to the realities of the people I work with, understanding their experiences through both theoretical and practical lenses, and sharing insights that can lead to meaningful action and reform. Through this approach, I hope my writing contributes to a larger dialogue—one that moves from ideas to action, from theory to tangible impact.