You can never go home again ever

Once you step foot into the world you no longer have a home. Not because, you're not welcomed but, because what you make of yourself and your life will never live to the expectations of your family. You might be the best doctor in the world but, if that's not what your family wanted for you, you still haven't accomplished anything that they will value. Your accomplishments determine your place at "home" and if you don't accomplish the right things you don't have a "home". Homes only exist if you're young and still relying on your parents for guidance. So when you step foot out of college with  a degree in something other then what your family wanted remember, "you can never go home again, ever."

You can never go home again-ever

Well I have to disagree with the prompt that you can never go home again –ever, because I believe that you can go home any time you want whether physical or mental but you can go home again. I think that home is not the same everyday especially in a country like U.S  where you wake up and you do the same thing you did the day before , is a circle that never end but in really there is no feeling that can be compare to the one  when you get home .

Facebook serves our egos.

The quote holds truth because social networking sites have to tap in and appeal in some manner. The seven deadly sins are the perfect leeway because their temptations are hard to resist for people. I don’t know much about Zynga or LinkedIn, but I do agree that Facebook allows people to be egotistical. I think we’re in a day and age where proof matters. You can boast about your seven Ferraris, but no one will believe you if you can’t prove it with a photograph. Where else do you post these pictures? Facebook. And even as proof matters, having some humility matters, too, so it’s hard for us to brag face to face. Facebook serves as the perfect platform to post pictures of our seven cars because it’s the whole point of Facebook. We’ve attached a norm to social networking sites, especially Facebook. The norm being that we post about our accomplishments because we want “distant relatives” to know what’s going on. The truth is we could easily pick up the phone and give them a call, but a part of us wants our Facebook friends to know what we’ve accomplished so we use the site as a platform to brag without really bragging.

Politicians in hindsight

Politicians are the masters of false tongue.
They continue to talk, it's their job to talk, and suddenly when you listen to what's being said, it's nothing new, nothing different, just an endless torrent of white noise and cloister bells echoing it's repetitive droll, and when you can finally read between the lines, and see the false prophets, the tainted, anointed words that millions upon millions are subjected to this drek, their minds poisoned and their beliefs twisted. now today, in this world, in my own personal lexicon, politician is just a dressed up, tie wearing, overpowered synonym for a liar that continues to produce false promises into the river of deceit leaving the victims of the flood crying out in anguish.

Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community

Sometimes you fit in. Other times you stand out. Sometimes you're outstanding. And other times you are outside standing like the pizza man. Its hard to maintain a uniform while trying to conform, and its hard to stand in uniform and feel free in your own form. There is a constant game of tug of war, from inside and out. Yourself wanting to be yourself and yourself wanting to be their self. But who better to be than me? Not Joe, Mary or Dave from the community. All human beings are weird. So to be weird like someone else is not normal and just...weird. Who is to say wearing your underpants outside your jeans is not normal and immoral. Yet, we immortalize heroes like Superman that are brave enough to wear it.  

This is what it means to say you're from Brooklyn

This is what it means to say you're from Brooklyn. Home of the late great Biggie Smalls. Birthplace of Michael Jordan. A nanny to the rapper and businessman Jay-Z. Home of the Schenck v. United States case. A place where once, the doctor smacks your bottom, you're expected to do great things. Either drop 67 points in a basketball game, be a great rapper, hustler, dope boy or whatever. No one ever tells you that they expect you for creating a phenomenon like a cure for cancer or the next Facebook. You are born to be great but within limitations. Born in a city where your parents don't have time to raise you and you're stuck inside the house until all your days are sad and gray. Then you try to brighten your life with the luscious and explicit colors of Crayola. Fighting wars for colors like kindergartners for cor crayons. Welcome to Brooklyn where 90% of our kids are Trayvon. We are expected to be great, but the only history our names are marked on is our tombstones.

"Use well by freedom."

 

     Freedom is a privilege. As citizens of the United States, we are lucky to be free. It has become such a norm of our society that a lot of the time freedom is taken for granted. Imagine a life where your actions and even thoughts were controlled. No voting, no career choice, no personal values, or even no choice in who you love. Have any American think about this and they will deem it outrageous. Yet there are people on this earth today who live in such a way. They do not have the privilege we are accustomed to. Therefore we need to be grateful.

 

 

    People have died in order to earn the freedom we enjoy. Their sacrifice for a better tomorrow is the present we are living. So in order to honor all they gave up in their lives, every person needs to "use well by freedom". What does this mean? It means to lead a meaningful life. Cultivate sounds morals because you can. Speak your mind, but respect others' opinions. Follow the laws set in place and appreciate that they are fair for the common good. Register to vote and mark your place in this free country. Utilize every single opportunity that comes your way because people sacrificed their lives for you to have them and there are people living today who would give anything to be in your free shoes.

Journal Entry

"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness."

 By Ralph Waldo Emerson      

       Are you always happy? Cause I'm not.

     I think for every minute you are angry, you will feel more happy when happiness comes to you. I wouldn't even know how happiness would feel like if I never feel sad, angry, depressed, and etc. It is not someone's loss to be angry. People get angry for reasons, and this happens so we can relieve our angry and find peace in our mind. Of course, it is not a good thing to be always angry, but I don't believe being angry time to time is "losing happiness." I can use this quote to keep in mind to be less angry and calm myself when I am too angry, because I tend to think about the most horrible ideas when I am not in a right state of mind. So I believe being angry does not take your happiness away, rather, brings happiness the double, when it comes to you after. 

Who To Be

        The world is an ironic place. On the one hand, we are taught the importance of meeting new people and exposing ourselves to situations that are completely outside of our comfort zones. On the other, more dominant hand, we are supposed to focus on improving ourselves and working hard to get ahead in life. Our society is founded on individualism and the idea that if we word hard enough to beat out the competition, we will triumph and prosper. Thus, we are lift with two opposing principles to which we should adhere to:

        Number 1: Form strong bonds with the people around us.

        Number 2: Beat out others to earn for yourself wealth, power, and prestige.

        These commands make it difficult for most people to find a proper balance in life. Many find themselves driven towards one side of the spectrum or the other. There are the hard-working, determined businesspeople on Wall Street and then there are those who are completely dedicated to raising a happy, healthy, and connected family. But who is really the better person?

Happiness

"For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." - Abraham Lincoln

I smile a lot. That doesn't necessarily mean I am happy all the time but I think it's the best way to express any emotions of mine. Indeed, I smile even when I'm angry at something. It's as if I mentally tell myself every time that it's not worth being angry, so just smile it out. It's not as if I would immediately feel peaceful or anything. But, it's better than yelling at someone and hurting their feelings.
The second quote reminded me of the reading we did on "The Futile Pursuit of Happiness". It seems like we are all searching for something until we are satisfied with our minds and hearts. This kind of reminds me of the time my dad told me to give up on horseback riding, one of my most favorite sports. At first, I was sad. I cried a few times. But after a week, I started convincing myself of the positive side of not doing what used to make me happy. So it is possible to talk yourself into being happy but that level of happiness cannot beat with something you have a passion for, something you cherish so much that you would fight for. Those are things that bring you REAL happiness. And so you shouldn't stop and convince your minds otherwise. 

The Same but Different?

"Everybody is identical in their secret unspoken belief that way down they are different from everyone else." -DFW

Today's culture is all about diversity and individuality. We are encouraged to stand up for what we believe in and required to attend seminars on the negative effects of bullying on a person's unique identity. But are we really different? Statistically, surely we have run out of combinations that could create a truly new identity. And it is our nature to band together and form connections. How would that be possible if we were each different beings?

During the course of this fall semester, I have met numerous strangers and proceeded to immediately strike up conversations with them. Initially it is just the basics but those facts quickly run out and we're left scrambling for commonalities in which to continue our conversation. In my haste to connect, I found myself making bizarre links to people's lives and my own. Things that they probably didn't care about and I wasn't even sure why I was sharing kept coming out of my mouth. I had to mentally force myself to calm down, shut up, and listen. Each new person was exactly that, new. I needed to open my ears and find out why.

Happiness

 

 

           Albert Einstein shares his opinion about what it takes to make him happy, but that may not go for everyone. Each individual has aspects in their life that makes them happy. As for myself I have quite a few...

 

 

My twelve year old cat Creamy makes me happy. A nice bowl of cereal in the morning. A good hurdle race. Dancing out my feelings. Spending quality time with my boyfriend. Going home to visit my mom and sister. Exploring the city with my brother. Venting about anything and everything with my friends. Not working a lot, but getting a paycheck. Driving my beat up Subaru Sporty Spice. A pumpkin iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Sleeping. Watching endless amounts of Grey's Anatomy. Relieving my week with a crazy weekend. Going to watch the Yankees.

 

 

       I could go on and on about what makes me happy, but I won't. My point is happiness is personal. Everyone decides their own happiness. 

"Be peaceful. Be courteous. Obey the law. But if someone puts his hands on you, send them to their grave." - Malcolm X

Be peaceful. Be courteous. Obey the law. And if someone puts his hands on you, turn and give him your other cheek. This is what Christ says to his disciples. This is what I’m taught and convicted to obey because of my Christian faith. But of course I am human, and I hate and desire violence towards anyone who hurts me or my loved ones. Many times I thought Jesus was unjust. I thought he was being hypocritical. If God can send people to hell, then why can’t I “send them to their graves” too, like Malcolm X suggests? 

But every time I am in a conflict, I realize that I’m also wounded each time. The only way to heal the scars is to forgive people, and myself especially. Forgiveness is something that’s not logical. I guess it’s something of a spiritual act. Revenge is easy, but it’s also the easiest way to dig another grave: your own.

By Jesamine Lee

Be peaceful. Be courteous. Obey the law. But if someone puts his hands on you, send him to his grave. By Malcolm X

If you are provoked you have the right to stand up for yourself. But you should never be the instigator of violence. I’m all for peace and I have a hard time being aggressive but I acknowledge that sometimes being aggressive is the the only way to achieve change.

If you want to change something major in society and go against the system you need to be aggressive. I don’t believe that peaceful demonstrations can achieve major change. Even if some instances of history, like Gandhi, prove me wrong. If you want change be ready to pack a strong punch, especially against oppression.

But aggression on day-to-day life, like being stupid to someone just because they were mean to you first, I don’t believe in that. You shouldn’t let others’ meanness change the way you want to behave.   

Declaration of NYU's Commuter Students

We hold these truths to be self evident that all pupils are accepted on the same basis. And commuting is a financial and personal decision that should not be used against the pupil. We as pupils have the right to speak up and ask for changes that have not been provided. Not only do the unjust circumstances skew our ability to be equal to residential students, but have skewed our ability to do our best in the class. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations reduce us it is our right and duty in accordance with the Bill of Rights and free speech to request these changes. Such has been the patient sufferance of these pupils; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former of systems of New York University. The history of the present New York University is a history of repeated injuries. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused proper transportation

He has denied us adequately priced food

He has neglected to provide spacious working facilities

He has made us subjects to 5 am train rides

He has accommodated clubs to serve only to Residential students

He has denied us our rightful college social life

For taking away opportunities to establish networking sources

For demanding outrageous costs at our inconvenience

For creating a dispersal of funds which are in favor of Residential students

In every semester of these Oppressions we have endured these grievances with humble terms: Our endurance has been responded with repeated denial of adequate treatment. We are NYU students as well, and deserve the right to be treated with compensation of time, fair transportation, and warm meals.

We have, from time to time, made known our presence and important to NYU’s student life. We have reminded the King on multiple accounts the circumstances of our emigration and travel here on campus. We are not, in any pretension, wishing harm to our NYU Housing Brethren. However, the oppressions of the Commuter life have inevitably interrupted the status of our exams and class schedules. Professors and TAs too have been deaf to the voice of justice and camaraderie. We must, therefore, commute in necessity, and denounce the evils that have been burdened upon the commuter nature, and declare our rightful separation from past injustices.

We, the commuters of NYU, therefore have no other choice than to secede from the main campus of NYU, appealing to the supreme leader of the nation, John Sexton, and carry on with our studies into a newly established campus at a more reasonable distance to our residence. We solemnly declare and write out our departure from NYU’s main campus, as a newly established campus we reserve the right to fair treatment and acknowledgement of the NYU faculty. We resolve that as long as we are commuters we shall put forth all of our investments of education into the newly established campus, where it may be our tuition, student loans, or time.

By:

Georgie Fu

Wendy Tigre

Nikki Herrick

Maggie

"Two Birthdays, Two Lives"

It was my religious birthday a couple of weekends ago. My religion follows a lunar calender which pulls each annual event 11 days back from its Gregorian date. That gives me "two" birthdays every year, for the rest of my life. Two days for cake, for wishing, for copious amounts of phone-calls. Two days for celebrating and family dinners. This dichotomy between my religious life and my life in the outside world has always created this constantly shifting barrier that I haven't really gotten to understand. Its this deep method of role play that forces me to take two instead of one before every choice I make in life- looking through two totally different points of view at any time. I know what's expected of me in terms of my religious point of view. I know what conservative ideals I'm supposed to follow every day, and I do follow what I grew up learning- I pray every day, I attend events, I look to God for understanding. But the enticement of the open world reels me in with questions like "why am I doing this?" or "what does this do for me?" But then the tight cables of the religious world keep me grounded to the comfort of the old school ideas. Then again, the curious tendrils of the human world are always there giving me food for thought mysteries to figure out, among other dilemmas. Its that push and pull that I'm caught between; its that middle ground I'm searching for.

- AliAkbar M. Hassonjee

"Success has many fathers. Failure is a bastard."

Failure is inevitable. People are bound to make mistakes and occasionally hit rock bottom, maybe we may even hit the bottom multiple times within a short period. Failure might be a bastard, but it is there to provoke success. In an obscure way, failure might as well be one of the fathers of success. Success is not something that people are motivated to achieve unless failure is there to prompt action because one definition of failure can be inaction. A taste of failure is what makes success so sweet, so glorifying, and so right. Failure should not be looked down upon as often as it is because even the most successful still fail, as well as the smartest, the best looking, and the most talented. Failure is a great tool and guide to humans; it is a giant manual, personalized to fit every single human being. Failure is not only a father, but it is also a teacher. It teaches us who we are, who to become, and who to strive to be. Failure allows for improvement, discipline, and progress. Often times failure should be recognized and thanked because without failure, the world would be moving towards failure and stagnant on failure. I guess what I am trying to say is that success is dependent on failure, and failure is something so great and so humble that it exists only for the sake of success and probably nothing else.

- Georgie Fu

Success



 

     Success is the ultimate goal. In every aspect of life I strive for success; in school, my job, track, and my relationships. Some would call me a perfectionist based on my obsession with reaching success. I cannot even argue. I even call it a curse myself.

     Freshman year of high school is when I can say I was cursed. My whole academic year I did nothing out of the ordinary. I went to class, did homework, and studied for tests. At the end of the year I received a letter from the school inviting me to an honors banquet that named the top six students in class rank. "I must be just making it, that's nice," I thought to myself nonchalantly. I had always gotten good grades but I never perceived that I had the best grades. That is until I attended the banquet, and was notified that I held the first ranking, number one in the class. The second I saw that number one next to my name I was cursed.

     From then on I had a goal of keeping that rank. I wanted to be the best. I was neck and neck with the boy in the number two spot, Colby, a computer science engineering genius. The kid built computers for fun for god's sake. I was in for hell but I did not know it then. The next three years I spent slaving over my grades. They had to be perfect. Yet after all that time and effort I finished with a GPA of 101.39, behind Colby. I was the salutatorian of my class but does that mean I did not reach success? 

Our Declaration of Independence

When in the course of long nights up, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the educational bands which have connected them to with another, and to assume among the powers of earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all students are not created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Sleep, a Social Life, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Homework Limits are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of students. That whenever any Homework  Load become destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Homework Standards, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Sleep and Social Life. When a long train of abuses and sleep deprivation, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Zombi-ism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such standards, and to provide new Guards for their future sanity. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Exhausted Teenagers; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Loads of Homework. The history of the present College Professor is a history of repeated injuries and deprivation of sleep, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these Students. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has subjected us to lack of social development.

He has destroyed our eyesight with long hours staring at a computer screen.

He has deprived our bodies the proper amount of sleep we need to function at a normal level.

He has tired our hands with countless hours of writing.

He has filled our brains with pointless knowledge we will never use.

He has forced us to do the same problems over and over to seemingly no end.

He has made us carry backpacks filled with books heavier than our own bodyweight.

He has trespassed upon the borders of school and infringed upon our lives at home.

He has prevented us from connecting with the world on Facebook and Twitter.

He has caused us innumerable migraine headaches and anxiety attacks.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms. A Professor whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the educator of students.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our student brethren. We have warned them of our struggle to keep up.We have reminded them that there is more to existence. We have appealed to their desires for Social Expansion. They too have been deaf to the voice of reasonability and of necessity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in Classrooms, in Night Clubs Friends

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united Students Against Homework, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the legitimacy of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of these Classmates, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Students are, and of Right ought to be Social and Well rested; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the College Professor, and that all educational connection between them and the University, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent Students, they have full Power to go out Friday Nights, conclude their weekends with Sleep, make new Friendships, get Jobs, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent Students may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

By: 

Vermont-

Catherine Pratt

Massachusetts-

Lily Jones

California-

Sydney Maynard

Caleb Su

New Jersey-

Keith Ferrara

Price of Life

For the past few days, I have attended two of all the events in the Price of Life campaign. The campaign is to raise awareness about human trafficking, whether it's labor or sex trafficking. It is happening right now in different places, not just places like Thailand and Indonesia, but here in Manhattan. This wasn't the first time I heard about it, but hearing from a survivor of sex trafficking and people working against the two trafficking, I start to wonder what I'm doing in my life, and that got me really frustrated. Sure, I got into what I like to do because of an experience I had in the industry and it's suppose to be something I'm passionate for. But the reality is this: while I'm enjoying my time here and learning in the most expensive classes in the United States, there are people suffering and being trafficked in all parts of the world. I just suddenly think we're so spoiled and selfish, to be enjoying such luxury when there are people basically living in hell. But what can I do? Nothing I do will bring about change that'll last. Nothing I do will suddenly change the course of others' lives and save them. What can I do?

-Adrienne Chan 

"It is not the will to win that matters, it is the will to prepare to win that matters"

Slow and steady is the pace, but determination wins the race. No matter how good of a talent someone has, someone that puts in more time and effort is more likely to surpass the talented. I once heard that it takes ten thousand hours to master something. However, in this generation no one including myself wants to put in those hours, they just want an immediate perfected end result. We have no patience and no will to prepare to win. However, we always feel like we can win but with what attempt? We want the good luxury to be covered in luxury and goods but never want to do good without luxury. Many kids spend their time painting the big picture when they are missing out on all the small details.

"How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything"

          Although this quote is thought-provoking, and I could probably write an entire page on my thoughts, I won't. And that is because I simply cannot focus. Why? I cannot focus, not because I have a calculus midterm looming over me, and not because it is freezing cold out, but because in three days, I will be on a train back to Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, back to my home.

          Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, or what my friends and I like to call 'Cheta Sprangs' or 'Narnia', is a quaint, suburban town 45 minutes west of Philadelphia. No, it is not 'Pennsyltucky', but yes, there are plenty of greenery, farms, trees large strip malls, Wegmans and Targets, some things you don't get in the city.
          For much of my life, I always admired the city. Philly. Boston. DC. New York. The hustle and bustle of people, cars and information excited me and was such a stark contrast to my mundane life at home, where walking meant hiking on a trail, and the subway was a fast-food chain. Every time my family and I traveled to the city for the weekend, or even for a day, I felt a rush of excitement being immersed in something so fashionable. I never understood how people could live in suburbia when the city was full of so much opportunity.
          I've been at NYU for 6 or 7 weeks now, and although I've enjoyed myself, my time here and the city, I've never missed Cheta Sprangs more. The comfort of being able to look out my window and watch the color of the leaves evolve with fall, or the ability to smell freshly cut grass are just two things I took for granted. Obviously, I miss my family, my friends and my car, but it's the daily, little things that I miss the most. Snuggling in my jammies in bed on a rainy day, or dinner with my parents. In 3 days, I will be on a train back to Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, back to my home. 

Paul Bear Bryant prompt

Prompt
"Is not the will to win that matters, it's the will to prepare to win that matters." -Paul Bear Bryant
This quote reminds me of another quote by a famous sociologist who studied how the criminal mind worked and the reason for their actions. "You can get in trouble if you put too much emphasis on the goal and not the means to your goal." In most of people's lives, our goal is money. If you do not put the means to get to your goal, what other way are you supposed to succeed. If you do not prepare yourself to get to that goal or to reach that success what other way will you achieve it. Being that the goal is money, many people have the option to take the easy way out the way gamblers, prostitutes and even drug dealers do. These are career criminals, people who make it to that goal, make that money but they never had to do any kind of preparation to get there. Putting emphasis on the means to your goal is having access to the things that will prepare you to reach it. Having access to schools, jobs, internships. These are things that will prepare you for the win. It is the preparation that matters, not the goal being that you've got the win.  

"Its not the will to win that matters, its the will to prepare to win that matters"

I see the will to win as just trying your hardest while I see the will to prepare to win as a key to being more successful. In life, trying hard isn't good enough anymore. The only way to truly get ahead is to strategize while at the same time, prepare for its outcome whether its a win or a loss. Just because one has a will to make it, doesn't guarantee its going to happen. Observe all your obstacles and embrace every possibility that builds to your victory.

The will that matters

" It is not the will to win that matters. It is the will to prepare to win that matters".  With these words spoken by Bear Bryant I think of  the struggle a person endures to succeed. An athletes struggle with food, brutal training, and drive to surpass the body's limits. A college student who works and studies hard in order to survive and graduate, stepping closer to his goal. So I believe Bryant when he says it is not the will to win, but the will to endure and conquer the struggles to win, that matters. Gandhi once said " that strength does not come from physical capacity but from an indomitable will". With this in mind, I think of all the strong people who do not aspire to win but aspire to get better and push pass their limits because those are the people who know what matters and have incredible strength.

"Celebrity is the chastisement of merit and the punishment of talent."

"I wish I was famous" many people say. Others say be careful what you wish for. This quote is saying that being a celebrity is a terrible burden. I disagree, I think it is a responsibility. You do not have to be part of an Empire but you do have to mean or represent something when you are being looked up to. You should always be an idol and model of righteousness even in your mistakes, not twerking on a married man on national television. You have to always be a symbol for something. Andrew Carnegie once explained the unwritten or unspoken job of the wealthy in his speech, the Gospel of Wealth. However, many celebrities take their wealth and use it to show how imperfect they are. Being a celebrity is not a burden, it is a blessing, you have the ability to set trends and make the world a better place. However, no one really chooses to do that. Maybe, one celebrity can use their voice or actions to make a difference.

"Would you believe in what you believed in if you were the only one who believed in it?" -Kanye West.

          There must be some degree of truth and proof in what I believe; I most certainly don’t want to come across as stupid and delusional. I believe there is a god, I believe in Christianity; I believe there is a divine being looking down on me. I have seen things happened in my life that I cannot explain. I have seen miracles happened when the doctors said, “you have only 6 months.” It most certainly didn’t happen from a “big bang!” This to me is a different degree of belief. I don’t care if I was the only one, I believe in my religion and that is something no matter what people say I will never deny and I will stand up till the end. 

          What about this then, I believe I am of some authority. I am superior and better than everyone sitting here today. I am so wealthy I can do what the hell I want when I want, how I want because I can. I believe I have the authority to oppose whoever I want because I am the number one it thing in this town, Obama got nothing on me. I believe I stand for the truth and I can say what’s on my mind anytime I feel to. I can ruin lives because I can. Now what a stupid belief, I must be the only one believing this shit. This is the belief of a self centered, vain, egotistical, small-minded fool. Such a strong believe but yet so harmful to even bring a bullet through the head for being a big mouth. A belief that belittles another person, and does no good. This is not what I would stand up for.

          I would most defiantly change what I believe in if I am the only person believing in something foolish or believing in an action for the wrong reasons. Hey, look around this is 2013, we must grasp by now what is foolishness and what is worth fighting for. Lets think about the 9/11 attack for a second. At some degree whatever happen had to be because of a belief. Whether it was terrorism or a government conspiracy the actions taken were because of a belief so strong that there was no other way but this way sad to say. Not to be judging or discriminating against anyone in particular, but come on man, you got to believe in something that makes sense, and not hurt innocent people.

          It all has to do with what you believe in and what you stand for. You can’t just be stupid about it and throw out empty words. Think about any scientist who developed a theory and is so famous today. All these famous scientist and psychologist had strong beliefs in something while being ridicule for it. The difference was these beliefs were to help people, they were educated about what they stood up for, and they even proved it. Can this be said about what you believe in? Does your belief bring about good without hurting and bringing down people? What difference can your belief make for the world? Can this be said about Kanye and what he stands for?

        

      By: Nicholl Pinder

"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world"

A world is nothing without analysis. We all live in some form of surroundings, but we can't make sense of them without materializing our thoughts. Now, thoughts in themselves are such abstract things that I suppose they'd exist even without the support of a language: It's just tendency to have baseline reactions in at least the positive or negative, even without the sophistication to articulate. But articulation is necessary. Once we pin down our thoughts to fitting vocabulary, we give our lives necessary definition -- We own these worlds that we inhabit by describing them, by analyzing them, by engaging in higher level thinking that is accessible only by language. And the transmissions of our thoughts, what we make out of these respective worlds we live in, are what intertwine our existences and permit essential communication. Without language our worlds become confined to our own minds and only our own; Language gives us sophistication and relation and allows us to optimize the meanings and opportunities that we find around us everyday.

-Sonika

Beliefs

 

      Individuality is a virtue. It takes confidence to keep your beliefs no matter what people think of you. Siding with the majority proves far easier. But to do so means you blend in. You give up your opinions to just follow the crowd. Is it really worth it?

      Then again a lot of instances occur where the belief is held by few because of its content. The belief may be rude or cruel. Such as, "Beyoncé's video was the best of all time and should have won!!" While I'm sure many agreed, only one person believed he should run on stage and declare it to the public. In this case there was only a sole believer because what he believed in was, as Obama stated, the acts of a "jackass".

     Whether or not an opinion is crude, it still holds value at least to that person. So is it wrong to keep believing even if no one else does? I don't think so. The most important aspect here is that people need to be true to themselves. This by no means justifies terrible acts. Beliefs are merely thoughts, how we act on them is what matters. So be an individual. Believe what you truly think holds value. Just make sure before you act on your opinions that in the end it will be worth it.

 

 

Carly Heck



Love or Hate.

"You either love or you hate. You live in the middle, you get nothing." - Charlie Sheen
Love it. Hate it. Love it then hate it. Love it all over again. You either like it so much you love it. Or dislike it so much you hate it. You like to hate it. Or hate to love it. But you're never at a point where you can't tell whether you like or dislike. There isn't much that comes from not knowing whether you like something because all that brings is thoughts leading to confusion. You don't understand your confusion when you're stuck trying to figure out whether you're loving or hating something. 

The Wicked Lie

"The wicked lie is that yhe past is always tense and the future is always perfect."
                                                                                            -Zadie Smith

           History has always been destined to repeat itself. Certain events may not exactly play out in the future as it once did in the past, but these events will take place none the less. Quite honestly, I agree that the statement "the future is always perfect is in fact a "wicked lie". During the times of the civil war, slavery, and the Great Depression, it was always said and expected that in the future things will be "different". But where exactly is that difference, if there's even a difference at all. Countries still live in poverty, war, slavery, and inequality. Our country for example, still has social and economic inequality where citizens are force to play the hands they are dealt and there's nothing we can do about it. So tell me... where exactly is perfection in that?

 

Celebrities

         "A celebrity is one who is known to many persons he is glad he doesn't know." - Lord Byron

 

 

 

 

    Celebrities have become an untouchable force in today's society. Millions follow the lives of their favorite celebrities. Reading, watching, listening like an animal stalking their prey. Prey may seem harsh to describe an average person's association with a celebrity, but it is accurate. While we idolize them, in the same manner we cut them down. "Celebrity Bodies" touches on this aspect; the scrutinizing factor of all that they do.

 

      When Lord Byron says, "he is glad he doesn't know." I credit this to the amount of criticism fans give to their idols. With the glamour comes calculating every move made as to avoid negative reactions. It is a life of tip-toeing and hush. So when people desire to be the celebrity, I question why?

 

      Why would anyone want to live under a microscope? Having people watching and judging one hundred percent of the time seems anything but pleasant. Is the need for attention in some humans truly that large? As a more reserved person it is hard for me to fathom. Although at the same time, I am a fan. I admire different celebrities and their lives. I cannot claim to be so different, but when is the line drawn between admiration & scrutiny?

 

 

 

Carly Heck

Chill and twist a lie...

From a young age, I learned that there is a past tense and present tense. However, I never heard of a future tense. Is that because life now as we know it and our memories are tense as the shoulders of a man who has been doing construction work for 15 years. Or is it tense like a nerd who is in love with the school's most popular girl and gets nervous and tenses up when she's around? Maybe it is because he is scared that his future won't be perfect and he won't be her knight in shining armor. The future is believed to be perfect because of the belief that the hard work you do now, will pay off and your shoulders will be relieved in the end. Sometimes the past is happier, people always say "enjoy your childhood while it last". Why? Is the future not perfect? Is the sky not the limit? Are we not guaranteed to succeed? Life as we know it is filled with lies. The goal is to be the truth and make that the future.

"The wicked lie is that the past is always tense and the future is always perfect" – Z Smith

     That is true because the future always holds promise and is something not yet fully realized. It is full of possibilities and it is the stuff of dreams, more an ideal than a reality. 

     While the past is what has been, what really happened. But that doesn’t mean we can’t color the past with our memories too, and be selective about what we remember. We can choose to remember only the good things about the past, or only the bad things, depending on which thought process we are trying to reinforce. 

     Selective memory, that’s what that is called. The pick and choose process through which we select what we want to remember and what we want to forget. Or remember to forget. Or forget to remember. 

      So if the future is the projection of our dreams, the past is the certainty that some of our dreams have not come to past. And that is a tough reality to embrace.  

Wicked lie

       Smith tells us " The wicked lie is that the past is always tense and the future is always perfect". I couldn't have said it better myself. When people get through a hard time they tell themselves that " it is over and tomorrow is a new day" No one knows what the future holds, but we know that nothing in this world is perfect.
       Life has always been a battle, before my time, during my time, and I'm sure long after as well.  Why do we try to picture the future when anything can happen at a moments notice. Our plane can crash and we perish with it. Its okay to hope and dream, but never believe that your future holds nothing but great things, it might be amazing but the good comes the bad. This what I believe Smith tries to portray through his quote.
 

ABC

          My name is Linna Li and I am an ABC. You may read this and wonder, 'What exactly is an ABC? I didn't know three letters of the alphabet actually meant something'. Well, an ABC is an American Born Chinese, and for the first seventeen years of my life, I neglected the C. 

          For as long as I can remember, I always fantasized being 'American'. I felt a sense of belonging with the group of blonde-haired, blue-eyed people I called my classmates. I ate spaghetti and meatballs for dinner while the rest of my family ate rice and stir-fry. I walked around the house in my dirty shoes, ignoring the footprints staining the clean carpet. I dyed my repeatedly until no black strands were found. I called my elders by their first names instead of by their proper titles. The more I assimilated into the American culture, the less I appreciated my own. Together with my Chinese name, my Chinese culture became one big blur. 

          Yet, as I kept dying my hair, eating spaghetti and meatballs, and refusing to speak to my parents in Mandarin, I realized, what am I really accomplishing here? I tried so hard to forget about my culture, my background, my history, that I didn't realize how rude, how hurtful, and how disrespectful it was to ignore the hard work my parents devoted to get me where I am today.

          Today, I realize that my two cultures are like yin and yang, contrasting, yet complimentary.  I greet friends with a “Hey!” and wave my hand, while I address Chinese adults with “Ai-yi” or “Shu-shu” shaking their hands. Last summer, I started waitressing at my family’s favorite Chinese restaurant.  In November, my family celebrates Thanksgiving with a dinner table piled with turkey, yams, dumplings, and steamed buns. Of course, there is still a cultural barrier, but that cultural and communication barrier is what makes my family closer, as we must work harder to understand each other and ourselves. 

          I appreciate my parents.

          I appreciate my culture.

          I appreciate my background.

          I am Linna Li and I am an ABC. 

Tired Thoughts

There hasn't been much on my mind lately. Or maybe there's too much so I can't tell what it is. I don't feel up to responding to the prompt today. I can't write what people ask me to write about, I guess a part of me is stubborn and doesn't want to do what I'm told. Another part just feels too pressured to have a right answer. It's so cold this morning but I love this weather anyway. It reminds me of the fall. Everyone is always saying "It's summer! I love summer!" but spends every nice day inside with their air conditioner on, complaining about the heat. I don't understand people. If you complain about something, how can you love it? It all sounds so fake to me. Like when people say they don't care about something but continue to talk about it. Even if it's in a negative way, they obviously cared enough to discuss it. I truly don't care about anything, if you couldn't tell from my lack of conversation. It comes off as a bad thing and people think I hate them. Oh well. Honestly, that's another thing I don't get. If I've never talked to someone how can I hate them? People are insane. I have no idea where this is going anymore. I'm tired and I want to go home and listen to Blink-182 and sleep.

-Ashley

Declaration of Independence

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the educational bands which have been forced upon us, and to separate the creative from the dull. The separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natives god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of human kind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We old these truths to be self evident, that all students are not created equal, that they endow by structure, guidelines, and due dates. We prove these to be true by the following examples.

He has made us keep our talents hidden
He has cut the funding for programs in which flourished
He has stripped away our imagination
He has made us followers not leaders
He has robbed us of self confidence
He has limited our opportunities
He has diminished our creativity

We therefore the representatives of the student body and general congress are appealing to the supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the mane and by authority of the creative people of the world solemnly publish and declare that these united students and of right ought to be free and independent states that they are absolved from all allegiance to the school system and that all political connection between them and the department of education, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and free and independent students, they have full power to choose their classes, freedom to express oneself through all types of art; and to do all other acts and things which independent students may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection pledge to each other, our talents, opportunities and education.  

Man

"The first duty of a man is to think for himself." - Jose Marti

Jose Marti says that in order for one to be a man, he has to step away from conformity and think for himself. There are no limits for a man who thinks for himself. A man who can thinks for himself can lead others. When he is sure about his abilities, others can believe in him. Others will look to him for guidance. He may respect the advice of the his elders but ultimately makes his own decisions.  He who thinks for himself will not allow others to manipulate him. He will not fall under peer pressure. He will know when to speak up and stand up for those who cannot. A man who can think for himself is ready to love. When he can think for himself and not share in society's like-mindedness of love and marriage, he is ready to have a wife. A man who can think for himself is ready to have a son. He is able to shape and mold that young mind. In that way he leaves a legacy, he leaves his mark on this world. A man who thinks for himself can follow his own path,  forge his own destiny. He can live life freely and not live as one of society's mindless drones.

-Cartney

Declaration of Minority Equality

       When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for minorities to voice racism, clouded judgement, and abuse of authority.  Being objected the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God or which they have been entitled, a disrespect to the not so common race.  The history of past events presented by the New York Police Department or NYPD has established injustice.  To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world:

1. He has subjected us through our race.
2. He has abused his power of stop and frisk.
3. He has subjected us through our social status.
4. He has abused his power of firearms.
5. He has conducted unreasonable search and seizures (without warrants).
6. He has let past experiences cloud his judgement.
7. He has taken advantage of the emergency siren.

        We the minorities face many struggles with law enforcement; having unjustified authority over us.  Whether it be police brutality or unreasonable/illegal search and seizures through our property.  We minorities are victim to something which he have no control of, such as the color of our skin, or our background.  We raise concern onto the abusive authority that has been embedded onto us.  And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, the color of our skin, and sacred honor.

 --Jose, Mamun, Rakin, Zainab, Precious

What It Means To Say ______

"This is what it means to say home." I don't feel like I'm part of a specific neighborhood or city. I've never felt like I belonged there. To me, when people ask me where I'm "from" they just mean the place I sleep and eat everyday. That's not a definition I'm satisfied with. To me, what "home" really means is where you're comfortable, where you feel like you fit in, and can connect with those around you. The place I live has never really been that for me. When people ask me where I'm from, I'm never sure what to say. It sounds a bit ridiculous to most people, I'm sure, but if you're not comfortable with something you wouldn't represent it or shout it from the rooftops would you? Where I'm literally from and the place I live is Maspeth, the middle of nowhere. Sure, I've lived here my entire life but I still don't see it as my home. I can't wait to get away and be in a place I truly love. People usually say "home is where the heart is", you can see that pretty much anywhere, but to me, my heart just isn't where I was born. My heart is more in the things I love and care for the most and I'd much rather say that than "I'm from Maspeth."

-Ashley

Holy Grail

Jay-Z's "Holy Grail" featuring Justin Timberlake touches on the topic of fame. Both artists have been in the spotlight for the last 20 years. Jay-Z speaks about how he is still relevant, "still that nigga," and the drawbacks of having such popularity. One of the ideas that Jay-Z frequently mentions in the song is being in front of the paparazzi's camera flashes. Jay-Z says that he could not even take his daughter out on a walk because he was being stalked at the corner of the block. One of the trade-offs of fame is the loss of privacy, and with the birth the daughter, Jay-Z is experiencing this for the first time in the perspective of a father. Justin Timberlake's chorus is a direct message to Hollywood, his fans, and social media on the idea of fame. He questions why after 20 years of driving him insane, does he still love fame and everything that comes with it. "... sipping from your cup till it runneth over, Holy Grail." The last line of JT's chorus is a metaphor about taking in all that Hollywood imposes on you, so much until it gets to be too much for one person to handle.

-Cartney

Steve Jobs

"Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me." - Steve Jobs

These words spoken by the late innovative tech mogul is what today's companies and industries should live by. Steve Jobs says, that it doesn't matter what he makes at the end of every quarter, his goal is to change the world. There are a few examples that live by these words. A model example is underground music. Whether it is rap or metal, underground music has gained its reputation for not selling out to money-hungry record companies. They don't need state of the art technology to produce the music that touches their fans. That's one of the greatest things that their fans appreciate. Oftentimes when something goes mainstream, whether it's an idea or song, it is repeated, abused and eventually loses its original meaning. Another great example can be found in churches, mosques and temples by observing men of the cloth. They set out to make a connection with their gods and heal others spiritually. Their goal is to promote and establish a relationship between man and God. Unlike most of us, they let go of their worldly possessions for the good of the soul, and the souls of others.

-Cartney

Steve Jobs

When somebody dies, their money no longer matters. They can't do anything with it when they're already six feet under. What really matters in life is knowing you've accomplished something great and being able to go to sleep at night knowing that. The key to happiness is doing what you've always wanted and living life to the fullest. If you don't create a legacy and lead a great life, nobody is going to remember you. One of the worst things in life to most people is to be forgotten and alone. Nobody hopes to be forgotten. Everyone wants to feel like they've done something great enough to be remembered. Being rich and having millions when you die isn't what's going to make you memorable. People remember those who did great things. When you're on your deathbed and have only moments left, it's not your money that will matter to you, it's all all that you've worked for and achieved and the people you've helped. It's all of the memories you have of doing something great and something you love. Being the richest man in the cemetery shouldn't matter to anybody because there is nothing to be done with all that money when you're gone. If you're truly a good person, you will want to have done something to make the world a better place than it was when you entered it.

-Ashley

Red Team Vs. Blue Team

"Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates." - Magic Johnson

        Basketball, football; ask me which my favorite team is or my favorite player. Well my answer would be "which team is in New York"? I don't watch sports, physical ones atleast. If you ask me to support my team, the first thing in my head would be running to the front lines and give suppressing fire with the M60 .50 cal. It's all about perspective, face it, not everyone knows sports. Here we sit and occasionally chat about basketball or tennis. To the silent half of the class, its a blurry unknown xenolanguage. It's fine and I don't mind it, I just peer into my imagination and if you ask me for my favorite team, I would tell you the Nicks bu in my mind I would be tell you the red team. Just like physical sports where athletes compete for millions, there is a league of gamers that rally together and compete for millions in my unknown world.

-Rico

War

I believe in love, I believe in war. War's an interesting topic, and hopefully one that I will never need to explore. The closest thing to war that I have ever come across is one of words. Vicious battles where the winner is determined by the quiver of a lip or the free-falling water from the cliffs of one's pupils. Some may say that war holds no purpose. Others persist that it is the only purpose. Elimination and success. I believe in war. It has innate roots in the core of our human's being. Sure, words can solve things, but in the words of elderly grandmothers everywhere, "who the hell doesn't love to throw the fisticuffs around." That feeling. The one requiring sacrifice, blood, sweat, tears is in us. War is confrontation. And confrontation is human. We are engineered to fight for what is ours. We don't take shit. Well, if we do we take shit and give it right back. It's what we do. We kill shit for fun cause someone said something, or kill shit just to kill shit. War might be wrong or hateful, but it's there and there's no changing it. - All White Everything 

What if?

I'm not your average come-from-behind success story. I come from a nice family, a good neighbourhood, a home with food on the table, and in high school I was a nobody. I come from a place where success is attainable as long as you put the work in. A place where my competition was myself and the only enemy that I had was the person staring back at me in the mirror. I turned my life into a never-ending cycle of basketball training and information. My world turned into the hardest fitness camp of all time, and as I got healthier my game progressed. I was constantly researching. Watching the Lebrons, the Chris', the Carmelos. The only difference was, they weren't watching me. They had no idea what was coming, who was out there and how it could all change. By the end of senior year I had shattered the mirror, the opinions of my doubters, and then my own collarbone. I could never shoot again. I had a chance at the American Dream, and just like everything else, it shattered. - All White Everything

Gone

I can never meet my hero. He's dead. Gone with the wind like a child's balloon, drifting so very fluently into the stratosphere, equally as confusing and even more heartbreaking. My grandfather died before I was born, and from what I knew of him her was a great man. He was a hard worker, a government employee with the purpose of making the lives around him better. I've never known what it's like to have a grandfather. I've never had the experience of getting a $50 travellers cheque for my birthday or even a gas station miscellaneous gift for Christmas. Those really aren't the things that I would have wanted, though. What I want is a person. An extra father. The presence of a wise, rugged old man to be there for me when the times get tough. That first throw, first drink, first cigar. The moments that last a lifetime, the moments I'll never have. - All White Everything

Here

I'm from a place that says a thousand things in three syllables. It is iconic. Known. Respected. I'm from a place where the streets are filled with chance and choice and you always one step away from winning it all. Being from Vancouver means that I know my place. I know where I'm from and I'm proud of that. Being from Vancouver means that I know my hockey. I know that winning is everything. Forty-three years without a ring will teach you that. All that matters is putting the puck in the net. Being from here means that winning is rejoiced and failure is never an option. Here is sometimes falling, and getting right back up when you do. Being from Vancouver means that the city is behind you no matter what. We'll watch, we'll cheer, we'll boo, but we'll always love our Canucks. Here is repping the blue and green. And here is where the winners will rejoice, soon enough. - All White Everything

Belief, Believe

Belief isn't something that should have the ability to be controlled. Belief is something innate, it's the unjust, unedited, organic material that compiles a person's soul. Belief is unchanging. It isn't altered by someone else's opinions or thoughts because it doesn't offer the opportunity to succumb to change. Now, belief can be different for different people. Some keep their beliefs buried deep in the caves of their being, forever casting shadows on the thoughts they admire most. Others share their beliefs. Whether it is religion, opinion, or even crashing stages at award shows to display their admiration for their best friend's wife's dance moves, people have different ways of showing their beliefs. Beliefs are like lollipops, no matter how much you suck and dissolve the sugar, the stick stays the same. It may look disgusting to others, but you care for it all the same. Inedible and unchanged. - All White Everything

Call Me Maybe

Forever is an illusive statement. It's like hate or need. I don't think I could ever really hate someone or something and as far as needing something goes there are only a few select items that really fulfill that specificity. I feel that, like beauty, forever is in the eye of the beholder. The term can take the role of some hopeless romantic's favourite term, being used in the odd tweet and the abundance of love letters that they write in order to waste time and emotion. For those who believe in fate, forever takes a whole different role. This type of forever is stored way back in the depths of their brain cavity, fearing to appear until the time is right. These risk-takers proceed through life anticipating nothing and being truly happy when they finally strike gold. I guess, in using the term half-life, at least in love, it is used to generalize the beginning stages of the ever so attractive emotion. The good times. The times that Carly Rae-Jepsen sings about. These are the times where getting lost in each others eyes is a common theme and PDA is a constant one. If love really is forever, it is those times that are most fondly remembered. They get the lovers through the other times. The times that James Blunt sings about. Oh, how he must envy Carly Rae. I ever find love, I never want that half life to end, I'll be singing Call Me Maybe forever. - All White Everything 

Fictional Love

I am in a relationship. It's with a girl who I care very much about. We are separated at the moment. I'm in a different city, in a different country, in a different life. Leaving home has been the hardest thing that I have had to do in my short 18 year life. The tears that dropped, and the memories left behind were enough to disown my dreams and stay at home with the person who I truly love the most, the girl who I cared most deeply about. She hurt. We hurt. As I left her at dusk on the morning of my departure, I wanted my touch to remain ever lasting. I always wanted to be first. Not first in any sort of physical manner, but an emotional one. The manner that matters most. Someone's first. Her first. As she looked up at me when I stoked her vibrant brown hair away from her tear-filled eyes, everything seemed to be alright. As I whispered in her ear, "If I could keep two things alive it would be the smile on your face and your hands in mine, forever." I knew that everything would be alright. I grabbed her hands softly and held them. Slowly rubbing my thumbs back and forth. There was no kiss, nothing was needed but a simple touch to remind her of my love. This moment was a first. It was a goal in my mind, for me to be her's and for her to be mine.  - All White Everything 

Fashionably Covert Racism

This is a classic example of the kind of racism that isn't always obvious at first glance, but the kind that we see all around us. Here we see LeBron James with a basketball dropping from one hand and the other around the waist of Giselle. On the surface, the image is a tribute to the success of a strong black man in America, succeeding through his abilities and arm in arm with one of the top models in the world. But that facade is a ruse, The image is a direct rehash of the title poster of the movie King Kong, with Kong's face making the same expression as LeBron's and his arm likewise circled around his white female conquest. The notion of the physically imposing, powerful black man as a savage symbol is one that is locked into the mythos of institutionalized racism that exists in america. Here is another example that is hiding in plain view. 

-Will McKenzie

David Foster Wallace's to-the-point humanity

“The more important point here, though, is that the whole animal cruelty-and-eating issue is not just complex, it’s also uncomfortable.”

-D.F.W.

Wallace has such a knack, perhaps ironic due to his intimidating vocabulary and intelligence, of distilling from every situation the opinion of the common man. He boils issues down to say what can best be described as ‘what we’re all thinking.’ This quote is a perfect example. Wallace highlights the feeling that subtly floats around the bottom recesses of our mind, that idea that we push away when justifying the killing and feasting upon of other living creatures – complexity be damned, the issue just doesn’t feel good to talk about. We can rationalize and argue all we want, but that uncomfortable sensation persists nonetheless. Such is the praiseworthy perception of Wallace, such is merit of his art.

-Reid Williams

The Confines of Tyranny

“I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.” – George Orwell

The quote above brings to mind the reflexive power of our actions. I feel like the lesson Mr. Orwell is trying to convey is similar to the one a parent might try to impart on his or her child when saying ‘mind your own business;’ to try to control every aspect of someone else demands every aspect of yourself. In other words, both a prisoner and a guard spend all night in jail. In a sense, this idea is similar to that of the expression “the mind takes the shape of what it dwells upon.” Basically, we humans are largely shaped by what we do. Time spent angry or unhappy makes us unhappy people, time spent free and passionately, on the other hand, helps develop us. In today’s world of bureaucracy and big government, perhaps there is a lesson to be gleaned from this. Maybe our micromanaging, paranoid and fear-mongering governmental practices are self-fulfilling; perhaps we bring about the world we fear by constantly choosing to live in it.

-Reid Williams