I HATE when people think idealism and optimism is synonymous with naivety. It's WAY harder to stay idealistic and optimistic in our society. I have to admit my optimism has been sliding a bit.. but I'm trying to get back to my optimistic self.
The reason I'm bringing this up, is because right now I'm trying so hard to remember that there are still good people out there. I got into a debate with my friend about homosexuality. It wasn't the first time with him, and it definitely was not my first time getting into an argument about this issue. Some people say that everyone can have their own opinion about homosexuality.. but haven't we come further than that? I know we have free speech and all but there are things that people can't say anymore. Look what happened with the man who said the holocaust didn't exist? Racist comments are not acceptable anymore.. (although of course I know there are still racist people out there) we're not allowed to discriminate based on sex, age, race or SEXUAL ORIENTATION. I know that gender identity isn't in the charter yet... but hopefully it will be soon. Discrimination against homosexuals is also against the human rights act. Another popular argument is: well there are lots of people that think that way so you can't really do anything about it. You know what the problem with that argument is? It doesn't matter how many people think something, it still doesn't make it right! Plus isn't that how genocide starts? Like with Hitler... well enough people think it, and I can't stop it, so why say anything? Or in fact, why not join?!
I'm TIRED of not rocking the boat more. I'm TIRED of not standing up for what I believe because it might step on people's toes or make them uncomfortable. I'm so afraid of flaring other people's tempers or having them mad at me that I ignore how I feel about things. I'm going to work really hard to change this.
I can't hate people who have opinions that are different than mine. And it's not about being mad at people for having differing opinions, it's about them having opinions that devalue other people. It's about them having opinions that takes away the rights of others. I'm against the devaluing of humans and it's discouraging to know how many people aren't.. ESPECIALLY in light of the recent suicides because of gay bullying. I wish the whole world could see people how I do... we're all people. Gender or sexual orientation doesn't matter.. of course I know I'm idealistic, but maybe that will be my strongest asset in helping me standing up for what I believe in.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Cupcake Politics
I am full of excitement and boredom right now! A funny combination. I think my excitement is keeping my boredom at bay for now. I am excited because... I just figured out what to be for halloween! Haha such a silly thing but it makes me feel like a little kid again :) I have decided to be a butterfly! I can make the wings out of cardboard and maybe a white sheet (it's easier for the paint to be more vibrant on white rather than cardboard..) and just wear black clothes under it. I have a sparkly headband that I can make some sort of antennas and attach them. I already have paint at home so that's my next project! Guess I'll have to rummage through the house when I go home for thanksgiving :)
Second reason I'm excited... is for Africa! Definitely not very stressed about it anymore. Unfortunately we're not building a school this summer, because the land hasn't been purchased yet and it's $50,000 alone. I'm still going to volunteer though and my friend Candice is coming with me! We're going to go in August and stay there for the month. We're going to volunteer for the first couple weeks and travel and relax for the last week ish. Candice really wants to go to Zanzibar and after looking it up, I'm definitely stoked on going there as well! One weekend we'll probably make our way to Dar Es Salaam as well and check that out. I'm SO excited now! I'm a bit stressed about money, but I have to just keep telling myself that it will all work out. I've had multiple interviews already this month but so far none of them have worked out. If I could just get a job now then I would be all set! If I can save most of the money that I have now, then I basically just need to make $1000 before I go. Anything more would obviously be good but I think $3000 would be my minimum to go there. Hopefully we'll be able to do some fund raising! 50% of the proceeds of whatever we raise will be going to the organization in Arusha towards building their school. If anyone reading this has any ideas for me please let me know! I've already been turned down by UBCO to have a bake sale there (which is ridiculous believe me I could go on for hours) which sucks because University students love bake sales!! They told me the trip was too exclusive and that there weren't enough university students going. It's silly because it's for a good cause and if it was a problem then the bake sale could just go towards the school, but they didn't ask about that they just assumed it was for us, because that's what a group of students traveling to peru did last year. Oh well... I might have to go back and talk to them if my friend gets the go ahead to do a bake sale to raise money for men in Haiti. Because it's essentially the same thing... except that she's not delivering it. It's not like UBCO is giving up anything by letting me set up a table in the arts foyer and selling baked goods. They're not paying for anything, helping out or evening buying anything! I never knew there was a such thing as cupcake politics.
Second reason I'm excited... is for Africa! Definitely not very stressed about it anymore. Unfortunately we're not building a school this summer, because the land hasn't been purchased yet and it's $50,000 alone. I'm still going to volunteer though and my friend Candice is coming with me! We're going to go in August and stay there for the month. We're going to volunteer for the first couple weeks and travel and relax for the last week ish. Candice really wants to go to Zanzibar and after looking it up, I'm definitely stoked on going there as well! One weekend we'll probably make our way to Dar Es Salaam as well and check that out. I'm SO excited now! I'm a bit stressed about money, but I have to just keep telling myself that it will all work out. I've had multiple interviews already this month but so far none of them have worked out. If I could just get a job now then I would be all set! If I can save most of the money that I have now, then I basically just need to make $1000 before I go. Anything more would obviously be good but I think $3000 would be my minimum to go there. Hopefully we'll be able to do some fund raising! 50% of the proceeds of whatever we raise will be going to the organization in Arusha towards building their school. If anyone reading this has any ideas for me please let me know! I've already been turned down by UBCO to have a bake sale there (which is ridiculous believe me I could go on for hours) which sucks because University students love bake sales!! They told me the trip was too exclusive and that there weren't enough university students going. It's silly because it's for a good cause and if it was a problem then the bake sale could just go towards the school, but they didn't ask about that they just assumed it was for us, because that's what a group of students traveling to peru did last year. Oh well... I might have to go back and talk to them if my friend gets the go ahead to do a bake sale to raise money for men in Haiti. Because it's essentially the same thing... except that she's not delivering it. It's not like UBCO is giving up anything by letting me set up a table in the arts foyer and selling baked goods. They're not paying for anything, helping out or evening buying anything! I never knew there was a such thing as cupcake politics.
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