Things that have pissed me the fuck off since I've been back at school:
- the sudden realization that, because the dorms cost different amounts of money relative to when they were built (and subsequently relative to their nearness to the central part of campus), we have reinforced a class system on campus. I mean, seriously. What the fuck else do they think is going to happen? The Duj and Moreau parking lots are full of Lexuses (Lexi?), BMW's, Mustangs, and other shiny new cars of note, and as you go down the list (and down the hill) you can see the socio-economic norms change by looking at the parking lots. No joke. On campus apartments are different, I think, because they're the only option upper for all upperclassmen trying to live on campus but NOT in a dorm (or semi-dorm, think casas and casitas). But, how much does it matter how mixed up people are sophomore year when during the year that basically defines your circle of friends for the next four, you are only really introduced to people of a certain class as designated by your ability to afford the "nice" dorm?
- the idea that some people "just don't like politics." bull shit. this leads to the ever present second part of this falsity... some people don't like politics, so those of us who do should learn to control our urge to speak out. BULL SHIT. firstly, the idea that anyone "likes" politics is founded, i think, in ignorance. the thing that spurs me on, that has me caring about barack obama and john mccain, that makes me talk a million miles a minute about the implications of bills like the PATRIOT Act and the MCA of 06, that has me reading Al Jazeera and BBC, is the fact that i have recognized the impact that politics have on my life and on the lives of everyone around me. when people tell me they don't like to talk about politics, i can't help but want to scream, what else is worth talking about? what else matters enough to merit your breath and your time? people have been socialized to think that politics are boring, that they don't matter, and that the only things people should care about are tv shows and magazines and facebook and fashion and video games and pop music and celebrities... i could go on... but the truth is, or at least it seems to me, when the government (and those supporting them) can lull the populace into political apathy by distracting them with a million things that don't matter, they don't have any opposition to worry about. Which (kind of) brings me to my next point.
- the two party system. this pisses me off because it turns, truly, into a vote for the lesser evil. I sit here, and i'm afraid to criticize the democratic party and barack obama because i'm afraid that i'll push someone to vote for john mccain, because he's the only other feasible option. the democrats have a stranglehold on the progressive vote, because they're a little more left than the republicans. you shouldn't have to vote for someone because they're one of two options. you should vote for someone because they represent what you really believe in.
until a later date...
-me
