America: the evil stepmother.

So, my friend and I were talking about the protests taking place all across the country. Hopefully, you have seen or heard about the “Occupy Wall Street” movement (and locally, the "Occupy Atlanta" protests). Of course I began to think of the greed and materialism that America evokes in all of us, but that's a given. BUT then I started to think about the other disappointing aspects of my country:

We just celebrated a holiday that commemorates a man’s ignorance and elitism. Columbus claimed land that was not his while spread disease and discomfort amongst millions of Native Americans. He exploited their agricultural brilliance and resourcefulness to dehumanize them. Most importantly, Columbus’ colonization paved the way for numerous other countries after him. If you think colonization and imperialism is a thing of the past then you are sadly mistaken. Some economically weaker countries are still under the dictation of other countries and/or suffering from the effects of colonization (Somalia, Ghana, India, America etc). 

Imperialism is one of the most backwards concepts that the world has seen. It is essentially a bloodthirsty wolf dressed in Grandma’s wool nighty. American pretends to spread democracy and “light” to the unenlightened masses but there are two problems with this. One, with democracy usually comes capitalism and greed – this often times devalues the eternal things that indigenous people hold close to heart. Second, who the hell are we to think we should impose our beliefs and practices onto other countries? Are we not in a trillion dollar deficit? Are we not executing men without just cause? Are we not a country of injustice and manipulation? Why are we acting as though our societal structure is ideal? It's so egotistical and ignorant to dismiss other cultures as "less progressive" because they fight over beliefs instead of paper with printed dead presidents on them. killing is killing. 

We have been at war for over a decade now. When I was a child in elementary school, I would read textbooks that said America was at war for numerous years and I was so empathetic. I thought, “That must have been so scary to be getting bombed and gunned down for years and years.” After 9/11 I learned that America could be at war without its citizens feeling a damn thing. Could you imagine being scared to walk outside and be shot in the head? Can you imagine hearing bombs crashing down the street or troops invading your homes and livelihood? Can you imagine being afraid of rape every single day while your husband went to fight in war? Could you imagine fearing for your children’s lives. Of course you couldn't. As Americans, we are quick to condone war as long as it’s not in our backyard. Yet, if it takes place in a third world country then it’s “all good”.

America the beautiful. 

say what, now?

look, i wanna take the serious approach and talk about the inferences of the video and blah blah blah. BUT, this video is sooooo cute and funny! enjoy :)  [and thanks jammonit lol]

"expect nothing" by alice walker

Expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
become a stranger
To need of pity
Or, if compassion be freely
Given out
Take only enough
Stop short of urge to plead
Then purge away the need.

Wish for nothing larger
Than your own small heart
Or greater than a star;
Tame wild disappointment
With caress unmoved and cold
Make of it a parka
For your soul.

Discover the reason why
So tiny human midget
Exists at all
So scared unwise
But expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.

go`head.

because lois lane & mary-jane watson deserved to know...

over dinner i had a conversation about the concept of "the good guy". i do not really believe in "the good guy" construction. i refuse to measure a man's virtue by word of mouth- a few googly-eyed girls raving about how sweet and nice a guy is. i wish it was that simple. unfortunately, there are plenty of guys that wake up in the morning and slip into their gentlemen facade, while simultaneously covering up the chauvinistic "player" that lies underneath. personally, i am less concerned with who a man is while he's walking me to class or showering ladies with flattery.

i like to know who a man is behind closed doors when he is with a group of male counterparts. how does he treat women when they aren't around? does he feel the need to prove his masculinity? does he name names? look, i have been in the midst of these male conversations and i know how these discussions sound. honestly, i just like to know who a man is when no one is looking.



i tend to see men in three different arenas : 

1. the man he portrays to the outside world & public. we all see him when he is on his way to work, the man who posts on facebook and twitter. we know the guy who texts you to see how you're holding up. now don't get me wrong, this can very well be a man's true character ... but there are other arenas to consider.

2. the man he portrays to his friends. i'll never understand the common pretense that men put on in front of their so called" friends". they constantly challenge each other's manhood and masculinity. a lot of the time, it would appear like they cannot be real with one another. often times, discussions of spirituality, emotion, or relationships (not sex) are left out of the equation. instead there is this constant beating of the chest. there is more to a man than sports and sex, right? unless of course, men are cavemen who are totally devoid of substance (which i refuse to believe).

3. the man in front of the mirror. i cannot truly see a man for who he is until i understand him within this arena. a man's true integrity can be measured by his actions when he thinks no one is looking. because of the numerous layers, this can only be seen with time. when the cool is removed and honesty blooms ... money, "social status", clothes, and macho-man become irrelevant. i do not believe in merely "good and bad" guys. i just think it's important to understand that people are complex. 

whoever said, "what you see is what you get" couldn't see very far.