Question: If you saw something at the park that walked like a duck, and talked like a duck, what would you call it? I would call it a duck. What about a car designed by Ford with the logo of a horse? It's a Mustang. These are facts. So why do we have trouble calling things what they are when it might make somebody uncomfortable? There's a line between honesty and inappropriateness, and we're so afraid of crossing that line that we've given it complete control. I'll be the first to say we shouldn't intentionally be rude or disrespectful to others, but we each have to be able to speak our mind. It's not only the fact that we have become afraid of stubbing toes, it's the fact that society has become conditioned to be extra sensitive to completely appropriate statements. Take race for example. As a black person with a group of friends that includes many white people, who I value and appreciate, I am constantly amazed by their misguided attempts to be sensitive to the fact that I am a minority in the group. I can think of countless occasions where one person has been telling a story, and when it comes time to describe a person involved who happens to be black, they feel the need to turn to me and say "No offense". We discussed this recently. It's not the fact that you interacted with a black person and wanted to describe them as such that offends me-feel free to describe every character: the blonde, the short guy, the atheist-it's the fact that you don't consider us to be good enough friends that you can say what's on your mind. If a black person has wronged you and you're angry about it, don't apologize to me, just get over your anger. You wouldn't apologize to me if the person you were angry with was a Republican( yes I consider myself a conservative most days). Equally irritating is when a stranger wants to correct you so you don't offend somebody. While sitting in a dentist's waiting room with my father recently, a black lady sitting near us commented on how much alike we looked, except for my lighter shade of skin. "Your mom must be light-skinned", she assumed, to which I responded, "she's white." This woman, whom I had never met, told me in a stern voice not to say 'white', as if she was my mother herself. I gave her the most sarcastic look I could muster and said, "sorry, Caucasian". Where's the difference? Isn't 'Caucasian' a synonym for 'white'? I won't say 'automobile' when it's more convenient to say 'car', and this is no different.
Where's this rant coming from? I'm taking a Topics in Film class, where we study drama through plays and movies, and I just finished reading "Oleanna" by David Mamet. It is about a female student who is having trouble in a class, and the male professor who decides that he can help her get an 'A' through private lectures in his office after she helps him realize how he failed her. She asks why he's helping her, and he says because he "likes her". Later in their conversation, she becomes upset and he places a hand on her shoulder. She reacts negatively and files a complaint against him, costing him his tenure. She calls him sexist and elitist, all because he said he liked her, surely as a professor likes an interesting student. It disgusts me that professors can no longer teach and help students for fear of losing their jobs. If it had been a woman teacher who said she liked her, I doubt anything would have been done. In this day and age, we have become so sensitive that compliments are considered assault, and you can no longer tell someone of the opposite gender that they look nice today. Honesty has taken a back seat to compassion, and it will lead to nothing good.
I could easily go on forever with this topic, so I'll just end here.
Thanks for reading,
Sam
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Monday, July 25, 2011
iFail
Clearly, I'm no good at this blogging thing. I lack the self-discipline and motivation. Maybe I shouldn't have made such a big deal about it, because now it feels like a responsibility, and I avoid responsibility like Charlie Sheen avoids reality...hey Chuck, hate to break it to you, but orange doesn't rhyme with mush.
Anyway, I'm sure you're all dying to know what's going on in my life. Well, I got a job...which is ending...um, I added a major...which means I'll be paying off more loans...I've seen a lot of really good movies...which means my funds are low right now...sorry bank account! But seriously, this has been a really good summer. I made some new friends, which means I picked up new bad habits, but I'm also working on dropping some others(bad habits that is, not friends, even though you should always be prepared to make that choice, difficult though it may be). I've started making serious choices, but I still have others to make, and I'm in the process of praying about them(I hope you'll all pray with me). I've learned valuable lessons that I don't plan to forget any time soon(but the lack of activity on this blog is proof of my terrible memory). I've decided to start writing stories again, I'm thinking about getting back into music, and I'm juggling the possibility of making a movie...not a real movie, just a low-budget indie documentary with a played-out deeper meaning. It'll be all the rave at the next Sundance Film Festival...or at least the next Oxford Film Festival...or at least my blog.
So the summer's almost over, and pretty soon it'll be back to school(because let's face it, summer school doesn't count). Hopefully I'll have a new job, and maybe I can find some good study habits at Goodwill. I have to, because this bare minimum thing isn't gonna cut anymore.
Not much of a blog, I know, but at least now you all know I'm still alive. I'll try to blog again soon, but let's be real, what's the likelihood of that?
I'm your huckleberry,
Sam
Anyway, I'm sure you're all dying to know what's going on in my life. Well, I got a job...which is ending...um, I added a major...which means I'll be paying off more loans...I've seen a lot of really good movies...which means my funds are low right now...sorry bank account! But seriously, this has been a really good summer. I made some new friends, which means I picked up new bad habits, but I'm also working on dropping some others(bad habits that is, not friends, even though you should always be prepared to make that choice, difficult though it may be). I've started making serious choices, but I still have others to make, and I'm in the process of praying about them(I hope you'll all pray with me). I've learned valuable lessons that I don't plan to forget any time soon(but the lack of activity on this blog is proof of my terrible memory). I've decided to start writing stories again, I'm thinking about getting back into music, and I'm juggling the possibility of making a movie...not a real movie, just a low-budget indie documentary with a played-out deeper meaning. It'll be all the rave at the next Sundance Film Festival...or at least the next Oxford Film Festival...or at least my blog.
So the summer's almost over, and pretty soon it'll be back to school(because let's face it, summer school doesn't count). Hopefully I'll have a new job, and maybe I can find some good study habits at Goodwill. I have to, because this bare minimum thing isn't gonna cut anymore.
Not much of a blog, I know, but at least now you all know I'm still alive. I'll try to blog again soon, but let's be real, what's the likelihood of that?
I'm your huckleberry,
Sam
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Rondo, Kobe, Lebron, Joakim and Steve Nash
The above picture was taken on our last day in Haiti. One of the kids insisted that he was Kobe Bryant. I don't like Kobe Bryant, but I love these kids. So I adopted the name Rondo, Andrew became Lebron(not crazy about him either), and two other kids decided they wanted to be Jaokim Noah and Steve Nash(I'm indifferent about both.) I can't wait to go back.
Culture Shock
Imagine 2 scenes for me. The first scene is of a waitress clearing a table with 4 plates. Each of these plates has at least half of the original contents still on it. Focus on that, concentrate on it. You got it? Now for the second scene. 2 small children fight over half an MRE. Their faces are stained with the contents, and the look in their eyes shows the want they have for what's left in that package. Focus on that, concentrate on it. You got it?
The night before we left for Haiti, James, the coordinator of the trip, held a meeting in the hotel lobby. He wanted to go over some last minute details, verify our passports, and warn us about the effects that the trip might have on us. He said that while you would normally experience culture shock, on a trip this short in time we were more likely to go through the phases of reverse culture shock when we returned. By this, he meant that we might start to see the way Americans can sometimes be wasteful, without even meaning to be. Now honestly, I didn't think this would happen to me. I've always felt like I notice the way people waste. And at first, it wasn't a problem coming back.
Then I went to IHOP with some friends last weekend. And this morning, I started thinking about the waitress bringing our plates. I started thinking about us sitting there, talking for 2 hours. I started thinking about how when she took the plates away, almost every one still had food on it(one person had only eaten half a pancake). And I started thinking about those 2 children in Haiti, fighting over half of a cold MRE. Then I started comparing other scenes. I remembered watching someone throw away half a bottle of water, and I placed that image against one of 6 children fighting over a small water container. Children who just moments ago were playing together turned on each other for a few drops of the thing we take for granted every day. I thought about a friend who I once saw throw change into a trash can after leaving the store because he had no need for coins. I merged that scene with one in which a little girl, who normally only spoke Creole, walking from one person to another, repeating the only English phrase she knew: "Give me one dollar."
I thought that I was ready prepared for the difference between America and Haiti. But I was wrong. I never fully realized just how wasteful we are. When did Americans stop appreciating the liberties that we have been afforded? And I know that sounds really judgmental and self-righteous, so let me insert a footnote: I'm wasteful myself. I waste food, water, electricity...I waste opportunities. That's why I'm writing this. Think about how many times you've passed on extra credit in a class, because you didn't really feel like you needed it. Now think about someone who might study for 6 hours a night, and do all the extra credit in the world, and still won't amount to more than a street vendor. Blessed are they, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is just something I've been thinking about today. Hopefully, I can get more insights as I spend more time praying and journaling about my trip.
God Bless,
Sam
The night before we left for Haiti, James, the coordinator of the trip, held a meeting in the hotel lobby. He wanted to go over some last minute details, verify our passports, and warn us about the effects that the trip might have on us. He said that while you would normally experience culture shock, on a trip this short in time we were more likely to go through the phases of reverse culture shock when we returned. By this, he meant that we might start to see the way Americans can sometimes be wasteful, without even meaning to be. Now honestly, I didn't think this would happen to me. I've always felt like I notice the way people waste. And at first, it wasn't a problem coming back.
Then I went to IHOP with some friends last weekend. And this morning, I started thinking about the waitress bringing our plates. I started thinking about us sitting there, talking for 2 hours. I started thinking about how when she took the plates away, almost every one still had food on it(one person had only eaten half a pancake). And I started thinking about those 2 children in Haiti, fighting over half of a cold MRE. Then I started comparing other scenes. I remembered watching someone throw away half a bottle of water, and I placed that image against one of 6 children fighting over a small water container. Children who just moments ago were playing together turned on each other for a few drops of the thing we take for granted every day. I thought about a friend who I once saw throw change into a trash can after leaving the store because he had no need for coins. I merged that scene with one in which a little girl, who normally only spoke Creole, walking from one person to another, repeating the only English phrase she knew: "Give me one dollar."
I thought that I was ready prepared for the difference between America and Haiti. But I was wrong. I never fully realized just how wasteful we are. When did Americans stop appreciating the liberties that we have been afforded? And I know that sounds really judgmental and self-righteous, so let me insert a footnote: I'm wasteful myself. I waste food, water, electricity...I waste opportunities. That's why I'm writing this. Think about how many times you've passed on extra credit in a class, because you didn't really feel like you needed it. Now think about someone who might study for 6 hours a night, and do all the extra credit in the world, and still won't amount to more than a street vendor. Blessed are they, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is just something I've been thinking about today. Hopefully, I can get more insights as I spend more time praying and journaling about my trip.
God Bless,
Sam
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Will somebody please give me the motivation I need to be a more consistent blogger?
Hey guys. Sam here again. I actually have a half-legitimate excuse for my inconsistency in blogging this time. I just got back from a week-long trip to Haiti, and I've been a little worn out from it. Of course, that doesn't excuse my lack of activity before the trip but, hey, I'll take what I can get.
The trip was an amazing experience for me and those that I went with. We spent most of our time at an orphanage/school where we sponsor 2 kids trough Christian Relief Fund, and we actually got to meet them. It really made me realize what a sponsorship can do for a child. I know that most of us probably watch those informercials for Feed The Children at 4 in the morning and wonder how much of our money would actually go to a hungry child. But after seeing the kids at this school, I don't think I could ever think that again. The people that run the place seem to have such a heart for the children, and I feel confident that they are in good hands.
Our main point of going to Haiti was to put a purification system in the well that they have. The main supply of water in Cap-Hatien, and in most of Haiti, is infected by cholera. Even the water in our hotel room wasn't safe to drink. So we raised the money for this system and took it down there, and then set up 2 spigots, one for the children inside the school, and one for people in the town to get on the other side of the wall. Now the whole town can have a chance at clean water.
While we were there, we also did some painting in the school, and built some benches in the church, and let me tell you something. The people down there want improvement. They just sometimes need help getting started. The kids went crazy when they saw the paint, and if you left your brush alone for more than 5 seconds, you were going to lose it to a pint-sized Picasso. And when the electric saw we were using for benches gave out and we had to switch to handsaws, we couldn't hold a candle to the locals that were helping us. Where we got one bench done in 45 minutes, they had 2 in an hour at most. It was incredible.
Being in a place like that can really give you perspective on life. It helps you to appreciate some of the things we have here. We complain about not being able to get cell phone service in the library, and they have to fight over dirty water. We need the newest version of everything that's out, and they receive a soccer ball for 200 kids and treat it lik a bag full of toys. I sugggest that everybody take at least one trip like this in their life.
Well that's all for now. Next time I'll try to tell you about the specific hijinks that went on. Somebody please promise to be my accountabili-buddy and make sure I post again in the next 3 days. I'd appreciate it greatly.
Au revoir,
Sam
The trip was an amazing experience for me and those that I went with. We spent most of our time at an orphanage/school where we sponsor 2 kids trough Christian Relief Fund, and we actually got to meet them. It really made me realize what a sponsorship can do for a child. I know that most of us probably watch those informercials for Feed The Children at 4 in the morning and wonder how much of our money would actually go to a hungry child. But after seeing the kids at this school, I don't think I could ever think that again. The people that run the place seem to have such a heart for the children, and I feel confident that they are in good hands.
Our main point of going to Haiti was to put a purification system in the well that they have. The main supply of water in Cap-Hatien, and in most of Haiti, is infected by cholera. Even the water in our hotel room wasn't safe to drink. So we raised the money for this system and took it down there, and then set up 2 spigots, one for the children inside the school, and one for people in the town to get on the other side of the wall. Now the whole town can have a chance at clean water.
While we were there, we also did some painting in the school, and built some benches in the church, and let me tell you something. The people down there want improvement. They just sometimes need help getting started. The kids went crazy when they saw the paint, and if you left your brush alone for more than 5 seconds, you were going to lose it to a pint-sized Picasso. And when the electric saw we were using for benches gave out and we had to switch to handsaws, we couldn't hold a candle to the locals that were helping us. Where we got one bench done in 45 minutes, they had 2 in an hour at most. It was incredible.
Being in a place like that can really give you perspective on life. It helps you to appreciate some of the things we have here. We complain about not being able to get cell phone service in the library, and they have to fight over dirty water. We need the newest version of everything that's out, and they receive a soccer ball for 200 kids and treat it lik a bag full of toys. I sugggest that everybody take at least one trip like this in their life.
Well that's all for now. Next time I'll try to tell you about the specific hijinks that went on. Somebody please promise to be my accountabili-buddy and make sure I post again in the next 3 days. I'd appreciate it greatly.
Au revoir,
Sam
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
My Blogs Stop Time...Too Bad I Can't Use Them To Go Back In Time And Keep Nick Broadway From Becoming A Weenie
Lydia Smith is a grammatical genius. Her swag is on stupid(in the good sense). I can't touch her flow. Also, she's looking to upgrade from her weenie of a boyfriend to someone cooler. Applicants must first subscribe to my blog to be eligible.
Glad that's over. I made a promise, and I'm a man of my word.
I'm sitting in the basement of Bondurant right now, because that's where the cool kids hang out. Actually, the cool kids hang out in Eric Foreman's basement. I just didn't have time to get to Wisconsin. I'm in the basement because there's a tornado warning. With sirens and everything. It touched down in Batesville about 20 minutes ago, so we decided to head for the hills. I mean the basement. We'll be here for at least another 13 minutes. I'll keep you guys updated on what's going down.
Stay classy,
Sam.
Glad that's over. I made a promise, and I'm a man of my word.
I'm sitting in the basement of Bondurant right now, because that's where the cool kids hang out. Actually, the cool kids hang out in Eric Foreman's basement. I just didn't have time to get to Wisconsin. I'm in the basement because there's a tornado warning. With sirens and everything. It touched down in Batesville about 20 minutes ago, so we decided to head for the hills. I mean the basement. We'll be here for at least another 13 minutes. I'll keep you guys updated on what's going down.
Stay classy,
Sam.
Monday, April 25, 2011
It's Been A Long Time...A Really Long Time...In Fact, It's Been So Long, Some Of You Probably Thought I Moved To Haiti...But Don't Worry, I Didn't
What goes on, my estranged family? I call you estranged not because I think any of you are strange, but because it's been so long since we talked last. I'm sure you've all been worried sick about me, but rest assured, I am fine. You can withdraw the Amber Alert. On second thought, most of the people who read this blog are personal friends, so you all know that I've been okay. In that case, disregard my assurances, as they are not needed.
Moving on.
People have been asking me lately why I don't blog anymore. I've given several reasons, which include "I have to be inspired", "I've been really busy", "there's so much to talk about, I don't know where to start", and "mind your business". However, I think it is now time to come clean. I haven't blogged lately because I'm lazy. Perpetually, indisputably, and undeniably lazy. I don't like to commit to anything. And I don't like to spend time on things. Then I realized that if the parents of the Glee stars can sacrifice an hour of their lives every week to watch their children do karaoke and deliver poorly written dialogue, I can take a few minutes of of my day to write to my vast fan base(because, by now, I undoubtably have millions of people reading these blogs). Actually, that wasn't a fair shot at Glee. Some of the characters are enjoyable. Puck and Artie are my favorites, and I love timing how long it takes Rachel to cry in each episode(Team Quinn!).
Anywho, I was just floating around out here in blogosphere, thinking about how cool it would be to have a pet penguin- I would name him Bartholomew, and we would host our own web show-when I heard something on the news about a new law being proposed in France that outlaws burkas and niqabs, which are both traditional body coverings worn by Muslim women. The fine for breaking this law is 750 euros. My thought after reading this was that this was an interesting proposal from a country so against racial and religious discrimination. After learning more about the subject, however, I learned that the law is actually an attempt to protect women who might be forced by the men in their families to wear these coverings. Ok, I can respect that. Nobody should be forced to cover their face, except for...nah, never mind, no joke would be acceptable in this situation.
So, here's my only qualm with France's proportion. While I'm sure there are Muslim women forced to wear the burkas, I'm equally sure that there are also women who choose to wear them. Will they be fined? How could you tell the difference? You couldn't. That's the problem. Somebody's going to be fined for making a choice on their own. I understand that it's important to protect the oppressed, but it's possible that this law will oppress as many as it frees. Perhaps before banning burkas, the government should try making it easier for those forced to wear them to get protection. I'm not saying it's the perfect solution, I'm just offering a suggestion.
Well, I'm typing this on my iPhone, so my thumb is getting tired. I promise I'll try and be more consistent with my posts. No guarantees, just promises to try. Until next time.
Give what you can, take nothing back, and don't feed the gremlins after midnight,
Sam
Moving on.
People have been asking me lately why I don't blog anymore. I've given several reasons, which include "I have to be inspired", "I've been really busy", "there's so much to talk about, I don't know where to start", and "mind your business". However, I think it is now time to come clean. I haven't blogged lately because I'm lazy. Perpetually, indisputably, and undeniably lazy. I don't like to commit to anything. And I don't like to spend time on things. Then I realized that if the parents of the Glee stars can sacrifice an hour of their lives every week to watch their children do karaoke and deliver poorly written dialogue, I can take a few minutes of of my day to write to my vast fan base(because, by now, I undoubtably have millions of people reading these blogs). Actually, that wasn't a fair shot at Glee. Some of the characters are enjoyable. Puck and Artie are my favorites, and I love timing how long it takes Rachel to cry in each episode(Team Quinn!).
Anywho, I was just floating around out here in blogosphere, thinking about how cool it would be to have a pet penguin- I would name him Bartholomew, and we would host our own web show-when I heard something on the news about a new law being proposed in France that outlaws burkas and niqabs, which are both traditional body coverings worn by Muslim women. The fine for breaking this law is 750 euros. My thought after reading this was that this was an interesting proposal from a country so against racial and religious discrimination. After learning more about the subject, however, I learned that the law is actually an attempt to protect women who might be forced by the men in their families to wear these coverings. Ok, I can respect that. Nobody should be forced to cover their face, except for...nah, never mind, no joke would be acceptable in this situation.
So, here's my only qualm with France's proportion. While I'm sure there are Muslim women forced to wear the burkas, I'm equally sure that there are also women who choose to wear them. Will they be fined? How could you tell the difference? You couldn't. That's the problem. Somebody's going to be fined for making a choice on their own. I understand that it's important to protect the oppressed, but it's possible that this law will oppress as many as it frees. Perhaps before banning burkas, the government should try making it easier for those forced to wear them to get protection. I'm not saying it's the perfect solution, I'm just offering a suggestion.
Well, I'm typing this on my iPhone, so my thumb is getting tired. I promise I'll try and be more consistent with my posts. No guarantees, just promises to try. Until next time.
Give what you can, take nothing back, and don't feed the gremlins after midnight,
Sam
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