"What It's Like"

"We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you [freakin'] slob's all he replied
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like"

---Everlast

This song came on the radio while I was driving to school today. I have heard the song many times over the years but today it struck a chord with me (no pun intended). Maybe because I actually focused on the lyrics and not the catchy rhythm, maybe because I live in Memphis and this song is indicative of the surrounding culture, or maybe it was a divine opening of my ears to a message that for too long I have been blocking out. You can find the full lyrics to the song here: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/everlast/whatitslike.html

Now I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I was not born on the street either. I have had to work for many things in my life but I have never had to beg or steal to feed myself or my family. I have not gone to Harvard or Yale and I may never be a billionaire CEO. However, my families needs are met and I am working towards a college degree. I have been blessed. I have been so blessed that I sometimes fail to see that there are others who are less fortunate. To be honest I do not fail to see it, I choose not to look because to look puts me in a position where I must make a choice. A choice that will reveal my heart, my motivation, who I am. The fact is I know what the choice will be and I hate to admit that, that is who I am so rather than face the choice, I ignore the voice. The voice of those who are suffering because they do not have enough to eat; because they do not have a place to sleep; because they have no means to better their situation. However, if I acknowledge their voice then I must make a choice. God forbid that I refuse to help someone in need, when I have the means to care for them.

"When you care for the least among you, you do it to me."
                                                                                    -Jesus Christ-

To be or not to be . . .

. . . content that is. Maybe the question is not so much whether we as a society are content, but whether we can be quietly content. In the Navy the saying goes, "A bitching sailor is a happy sailor." In other words we are most happy when we have something to complain about, which is pretty much all the time. American society seems to have a similar mantra especially when it comes to where one lives. In any given geographical area you have those who are proud of where they are from and where they live. However, there are those who constantly find things about where they live that are imperfect and they are more than willing to let those around them know. They have no intention of lifting a finger to change anything, they merely wish to complain loudly and often in hopes that someone else will be spurred to action and change things.

So why do Americans feel the need to find everything wrong with their Nation, their cities, and their communities. If they are so discontent why do they not just move. Maybe it is not a matter of being content but instead a desire to speak out about things that bother them. Maybe as stated previously they hope that their words will inspire others to action. Maybe they are trrying to find the motivation within themselves to change the things they do not like. It is not enough to think critically and to question everything, there comes a time when you must act on those criticisms and questions. In other words, "put up or shut up."

What to do with Equality

Equality. Equal Opportunity. Equal (you fill in the blank). Equality in all of its forms has been harassing my brain of late. Over the last week I have spent a lot of time hearing about equality in the work place, with education, in regards to the economy, and social status. So what is equality? What would our world be like if we were all equal, we all had the same opportunities, the same social status, the same economic status, the same everything? Would we be better off? Could we finally put all the bickering aside? If equality existed would it do away with crime? Would it cure our illnesses? Would it save our children? Would it feed the hungry? House the homeless?

Utopia does not exist. Therefore, how can you ever achieve a world in which everyone is completely equal? The answer is you cannot. It is a sad truth. I honestly think that deep down everyone knows this and those who cry for equality, do not so much want equality but desire instead to be on the other side of the inequality fence, the one where they make the rules, they have the money, they have the status.

Yes a world where everyone has equal rights, and equal opportunities, equal (you fill in the blank) is ideal. Yes, we should strive to achieve that, it is what keeps the "forces of evil" from completely taking over and running the rest of us into the dirt. However, we must be realistic and realize the implications of a world with no inequality. We as humans cannot attain perfection.

"All the citizens of a state cannot be equally powerful, but they may be equally free."
~Voltaire~