Sunday, May 8, 2011
Lost
I spent this weekend on my couch trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. All I ended up doing was watching a lot of TV. I feel completely lost and confused and have no idea what I want. I want security without being tied down and creativity without a pay-cut. Help. Anyone. John Lennon, sir, now would be a good time to appear in a dream...
Monday, May 2, 2011
One Man Died, Hate Still Lives...
Nearly ten years ago "freedom itself has been attacked by a masked coward." (This is the first time I have quoted George Bush) At the time, I was 14, just days before my 15th birthday, the same day I had my first kiss. I was on the other side of the world and watched on TV as two buildings collapsed and the world changed, reshaping a generation and the NYC skyline.
As I was driving home tonight, I heard an announcement saying the man behind those attacks was dead. While watching the crowds outside the White House and Ground Zero, it occurred to me that the death of one man is bringing together people of different backgrounds to celebrate, but the death of thousands of friends, neighbors and family members simply turned people against each other. The days and years following 9/11 saw a lot of racism against Muslims and South Asians, even though, as the president pointed out today, bin Laden was not an Islamic leader, he was a mass murderer. I can only hope that this unity among people in times of celebration will also bleed into turbulent times. Dumbledore said, "We are only as strong as we are united," and only through mutual respect, compassion and love can we build a world in which we are all safe. Hate gets us nowhere, and thought one man, a symbol of hate, is gone, hatred is not. Ignorance and fear and those who take advantage of it are not gone. I sincerely hope that if and when we see hard times again, we will stand united and not blame innocent people, who are equally hurt, out of fear.
Lately, we have been seeing several gatherings: people gathering to protest unfair governments, people gathering to celebrate the marriage of their future sovereign, and tonight, to celebrate the death of someone who's hands were covered in innocent blood. I hope this unity lasts and grows into a much deeper respect for each other, despite our differences. I also hope we tomorrow will be a national holiday, but that might be a little TOO hopeful.
As I was driving home tonight, I heard an announcement saying the man behind those attacks was dead. While watching the crowds outside the White House and Ground Zero, it occurred to me that the death of one man is bringing together people of different backgrounds to celebrate, but the death of thousands of friends, neighbors and family members simply turned people against each other. The days and years following 9/11 saw a lot of racism against Muslims and South Asians, even though, as the president pointed out today, bin Laden was not an Islamic leader, he was a mass murderer. I can only hope that this unity among people in times of celebration will also bleed into turbulent times. Dumbledore said, "We are only as strong as we are united," and only through mutual respect, compassion and love can we build a world in which we are all safe. Hate gets us nowhere, and thought one man, a symbol of hate, is gone, hatred is not. Ignorance and fear and those who take advantage of it are not gone. I sincerely hope that if and when we see hard times again, we will stand united and not blame innocent people, who are equally hurt, out of fear.
Lately, we have been seeing several gatherings: people gathering to protest unfair governments, people gathering to celebrate the marriage of their future sovereign, and tonight, to celebrate the death of someone who's hands were covered in innocent blood. I hope this unity lasts and grows into a much deeper respect for each other, despite our differences. I also hope we tomorrow will be a national holiday, but that might be a little TOO hopeful.
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