I've been upset lately, after looking back on four years of required high school English classes. It turns out I can't pinpoint one single thing I've learned in English. I feel like I've gotten something out of it, don't get me wrong. I have had some brilliant people for English teachers. I just haven't absorbed a single, outstanding fact. One thing I do remember, however, was an activity we completed in Mr. Orr's AP English Language and Composition class called "I Believe Statement". Essentially the idea is to write "I believe" and then what you believe. Sounds easy, but it isn't. I strongly suggest every one of my readers tries it, though. There's a lot you can learn about yourself by asking what you believe. I'll go first.
I believe in science. I believe in logic. I believe in Charles Darwin, Audrey Hepburn, and John Steinbeck.
I believe in ethics. I believe we're affected by our circumstances but not determined by them. I believe culture is irrelevant. I believe history isn't just the past, it's the future.
I believe in the power of lyrics and poetry and the beauty of Indie rock. I believe in protest and in raising awareness. I believe in saying what you mean. I believe in truth, always. I believe omission is lying. I believe in the dangers of global climate change. I believe change starts at the bottom and works its way up, but it can start from one person and work its way down too.
I believe Christmas isn't just for Christians. I believe facebook has an amazing power to connect and I believe Mac owners are one hundred times cooler than P.C. owners. I believe we should only have children if we want them and our mistakes shouldn't define our lives. I believe in conserving water, but also in an at least weekly long bath.
I believe that women and men are equal, period. I believe in writing and thinking and listening and speaking and reading and loving and laughing and crying and winning and losing and wanting and needing and longing and hoping. I believe everyone will have one great heartbreak, and I believe I got mine early. I believe a tree can grow in Brooklyn. I believe a family can grow out of the Dust Bowl. I believe in black and white films and in vinyl. I believe in pushing the boundaries just to show where they are. I believe in Lady Gaga.
I believe everyone has the right to safety and liberty. I believe that the most important thing in the world is happiness. I believe we all believe that deep down, whether or not we say it. I believe humankind is too judgemental. I believe we should, could, and would be happy, if we let ourselves. I believe no one can really stand between you and achieving the happiness you deserve.
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This is absolutely awesome sweetheart! btw I'll send the link to my blog in a little while once I post my first real article
ReplyDeleteWow... You are so talented! Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteI believe that your statement about culture would make my anthropology degree irrelevant. So, I choose not to believe it.
ReplyDeleteTo Bill: Yes, culture affects everything! Many times it is detrimental, but not irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that - I love your blogs Lindsey!
Bill: it seems I oversimplified in my anti-relativist zeal. I certainly think culture is interesting- I also think it is irrelevant in discussions about ethics. I do see the artistic value in culture, and I see that we can learn a lot about coexisting and alternate ways of life from other cultures. It's just that when a person or group of people commit a blatant human rights violation, and other people write it off as "it's just their culture", I get frustrated.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for commenting! You're all raising my ego to nearly uncontrollable levels.