Struggling to find the difference between want versus need has been a lifelong issue. I want to be independently wealthy. I need to work. I want to be thinner, I need to exercise. I want to travel the globe, I need to figure out how. These are logical want and need progressions. However, I have noticed society has progressed into "needs" that are definitely NOT needed.
A commercial ran the other day that stated "Tired of missing out on the best things in life because you don't have a flat screen tv?" No one NEEDS a flat screen tv in order to have the best things in life. If your reality requires high definition television in order for it to be the best, you need to reconsider your priorities.
I've mentioned this before in an article about the sense of entitlement going around in the younger generations these days. It appears that it is more pervasive than just the sense of entitlement. Somehow what we want has transferred itself to the what we believe we need category.
Currently, I work with children that are around 10 years of age. Most of these kids are not required to do any chores. Over half of my class of 34 are not even required to make their own beds. It rained unusually hard last week and several of them asked me if they could call their parents to get dry shoes. If these are the building blocks for the future of society. I fear the world will be crumbling around us in the years to come.
How can this lot distinguish between legitimate wants and needs if everything is taken care of for them? Expectations will continue to run high and what these children believe should just happen will become more and more outrageous as time goes on.
A friend of mine actually said to me "I HAVE to watch the games.", when I suggested she cut her cable in order to lesson household expenses. Apparently the reality of having to buy gas to get to work or food to feed the family was greatly shadowed by the NEED to watch a sporting event. If both the children and the adults who are meant to be guiding the children are caught up in this continued keeping up with the Jones' mentality, how can we possibly move forward?
We need to figure out how to bring boundaries back into reality and actual wants and needs back into society. We want and need better healthcare. We want and need better choices for political offices. We want and need homes in which to live, food to eat, clean air to breathe and an end to social and racial tension. We don't have it. No one NEEDS an iPad, a Kindle, or a Kardashian....yet somehow they are all here and thriving.
"You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes, well you might find
You get what you need." The Rolling Stones were quite correct in this statement. We need to try , not some time, but all the time. That time is Now.
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
My Trayvon Martin Moment
When I was 19 years old I worked at a telephone survey company located in Marina del Rey (an affluent beach side community here in Los Angeles). One evening our shift ended early and due to this I was waiting just outside the company for my friend to come pick me up. For whatever reason a patrol car happened to be in the area. They went by, saw me and returned. One of the officers came to me and asked me why I was there. When I explained the early shift close. He questioned whether there was anyone to verify my story. When I informed him everyone had left. He literally looked me up and down, walked a few feet away from me flashed lights in the building and waited for a few moments before returning to his partner in the car. They waited and watched me the entire time.
Let's go into more detail. I was a slightly overweight, well spoken, dark-skinned, college coed in the Marina on a lovely Summer's night. I was standing in a well lit area in full view of anyone who cared to see me. I was wearing a sailor shirt with white sailboats across it, paddle pusher pants, flower print deck shoes and a big pink floppy bow in my hair. Had I been disrespectful, surly, lurking in the shadows or shown any other form of criminal type behavior I would understand the heavy-handed attitude, but I displayed none of those characteristics. Had it been the fashion police, I would fully understand the hard scrutiny, they should have ticketed me on sight, but this was the regular neighborhood police and they thought I deserved to be watched because they had summed me up as not belonging in the area.
When my ride arrived, the officers watched me get into the car of my 5 foot tall, 95 pound, let's go dancing attired, Chinese friend. We drove off and were closely followed out of the parking lot, onto the street and all the way out of the city of Marina del Rey. My friend was scared half to death the entire time because she had never experienced being followed by a police car, for that matter neither had I. Once we reached the top of the hill that marked the official end of Marina territory they did an illegal u-turn and returned to the land that they determined was not where I belonged.
Why do I recall this story? Unless you have been completely disconnected from reality for the the last two months, you know who Trayvon Martin was and why he is of great significance to us all. I can't help thinking of that moment , when I was 19, and wondering if I were in Florida and George Zimmerman were a part of that patrol, would I be here now? We will never know the completely honest full story but just as a concerned individual, I wonder how dangerous skittles are to another person. I wonder how it is legal to NOT at least detain a person who follows someone and shoots them when you were clearly told NOT to follow the individual in the first place.
We live in a suspicious world. Suspicions based on fear of others; which are based on stereotypes perpetuated by cinema, media, and general ignorance. This is one of many stories I have about societal ignorance based on "looking suspicious". In this instance, I was not wearing a "hoodie" but based on current beliefs in this country, I will always be wearing my permanent mark of suspicion.
ALL races have their own ignorance and fears. It is more than black and white here in America. We have to eventually embrace that we are more than just a race. We need to identify ourselves as AMERICANS period. I am not saying to forget your personal heritage. I am quite proud of who I am. However in order for America to truly be united, we must all accept the beautiful color spectrum of each American citizen in order for tragedy's like Trayvon Martin to never occur again.
http://youtu.be/WpYeekQkAdc
Let's go into more detail. I was a slightly overweight, well spoken, dark-skinned, college coed in the Marina on a lovely Summer's night. I was standing in a well lit area in full view of anyone who cared to see me. I was wearing a sailor shirt with white sailboats across it, paddle pusher pants, flower print deck shoes and a big pink floppy bow in my hair. Had I been disrespectful, surly, lurking in the shadows or shown any other form of criminal type behavior I would understand the heavy-handed attitude, but I displayed none of those characteristics. Had it been the fashion police, I would fully understand the hard scrutiny, they should have ticketed me on sight, but this was the regular neighborhood police and they thought I deserved to be watched because they had summed me up as not belonging in the area.
When my ride arrived, the officers watched me get into the car of my 5 foot tall, 95 pound, let's go dancing attired, Chinese friend. We drove off and were closely followed out of the parking lot, onto the street and all the way out of the city of Marina del Rey. My friend was scared half to death the entire time because she had never experienced being followed by a police car, for that matter neither had I. Once we reached the top of the hill that marked the official end of Marina territory they did an illegal u-turn and returned to the land that they determined was not where I belonged.
Why do I recall this story? Unless you have been completely disconnected from reality for the the last two months, you know who Trayvon Martin was and why he is of great significance to us all. I can't help thinking of that moment , when I was 19, and wondering if I were in Florida and George Zimmerman were a part of that patrol, would I be here now? We will never know the completely honest full story but just as a concerned individual, I wonder how dangerous skittles are to another person. I wonder how it is legal to NOT at least detain a person who follows someone and shoots them when you were clearly told NOT to follow the individual in the first place.
We live in a suspicious world. Suspicions based on fear of others; which are based on stereotypes perpetuated by cinema, media, and general ignorance. This is one of many stories I have about societal ignorance based on "looking suspicious". In this instance, I was not wearing a "hoodie" but based on current beliefs in this country, I will always be wearing my permanent mark of suspicion.
ALL races have their own ignorance and fears. It is more than black and white here in America. We have to eventually embrace that we are more than just a race. We need to identify ourselves as AMERICANS period. I am not saying to forget your personal heritage. I am quite proud of who I am. However in order for America to truly be united, we must all accept the beautiful color spectrum of each American citizen in order for tragedy's like Trayvon Martin to never occur again.
http://youtu.be/WpYeekQkAdc
Monday, October 17, 2011
Excuse me M'am
When did I go from being a Miss to being a M'am? I don't remember advertising to the masses. I don't remember rescinding my Miss title and yet more and more M'am keeps creeping into polite conversation when strangers address me.
"Give the book to the nice lady." said the mom to the child. I looked around to discover the nice lady was ME! "Are you a grown up?" asked the eight year old child confused by my overalls, backwards baseball cap, sneakers and chewing gum. "Technically I am." My answer confused her more.
Am I a grown up? Good question. I have a driver's license which first graced my wallet at the tender age of 27. Explaining that it's your first license at the DMV is less than amusing.Responding to people with the words "I had no desire to drive," just fell on deaf ears and blank stares.
Am I a grown up? I've lived in my own apartment for well past a decade. All the bills are in my name. I'm employed;some would say I have a career. I can stay out as long as I like and have no one to report to when I get home at night.
Am I a grown up? I watch Saturday morning cartoons. I play kickball with the kids at school. I dance without being afraid of looking like a fool. I laugh out loud in public and declare tickle wars on my friends. I mix my sodas. I still drink Slurpees. I eat chocolate for dinner.
Inside I am a miss. I still get called miss but not as often as once upon a time. Am I a grown up? Again I say, good question. Technically I am. I can accept that I am a grown up; But I am still NOT a M'am!
"Give the book to the nice lady." said the mom to the child. I looked around to discover the nice lady was ME! "Are you a grown up?" asked the eight year old child confused by my overalls, backwards baseball cap, sneakers and chewing gum. "Technically I am." My answer confused her more.
Am I a grown up? Good question. I have a driver's license which first graced my wallet at the tender age of 27. Explaining that it's your first license at the DMV is less than amusing.Responding to people with the words "I had no desire to drive," just fell on deaf ears and blank stares.
Am I a grown up? I've lived in my own apartment for well past a decade. All the bills are in my name. I'm employed;some would say I have a career. I can stay out as long as I like and have no one to report to when I get home at night.
Am I a grown up? I watch Saturday morning cartoons. I play kickball with the kids at school. I dance without being afraid of looking like a fool. I laugh out loud in public and declare tickle wars on my friends. I mix my sodas. I still drink Slurpees. I eat chocolate for dinner.
Inside I am a miss. I still get called miss but not as often as once upon a time. Am I a grown up? Again I say, good question. Technically I am. I can accept that I am a grown up; But I am still NOT a M'am!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Entitled to Keep Up
My mother raised me to work hard
at whatever I chose to do. A strong work ethic has been instilled in me and my
brother. Times were difficult but enough was provided and extras, when they happened,
were greatly appreciated. I never expected my mother to buy me a car at
graduation because we were not those families you see in movies where that
happens. I never expected her to reward my every action with a cash bonus. I
was always proud when I received her smile and nod of approval. I grew taller
when I heard her friends compliment me as she whispered my achievements to them
trying not to boast but obviously wanting to share in the good fortune of her
child. It was high praise for her.
I know that I am not alone in the way I was
raised. I often talk to others 7 sometimes 10 years my junior or anyone older
than myself who was raised similarly. Unfortunately something has been greatly
lost along the way as those who are currently in the 20 something sector seem
to have no idea of what it means to “earn your keep”, those in high school
think everything is handed over to them without question and those in
elementary feel that just showing up deserves a reward. Where does this sense
of entitlement come from?
I do not wish to blame everything
on television. I have never been that person. I feel you control what enters
your realm and you have the ability to influence your world for positive or
negative with the actions you have chosen. I do however feel that media does
temper your actions for good or for bad whether you choose to admit it or not. Keeping
up with the Kardashians can not be having any type of positive effect on
society. No reality show actually seems to have any real positive influence for
our world. (I will admit that I have
never seen the Kardashian show nor do I watch reality tv but I do sit in rooms
where these shows are discussed and based on content feel my claim is valid.)
As
far as I can tell most reality shows are about untalented individuals who have
no jobs, no skills, little to know education but plenty of time and money to
spend on pointless parties, latest fashions and frivolous expenditures. These people
are worshipped for their looks and their ability to spend like there is no
tomorrow. It would explain greatly why most 20-somethings want money but do not
care to work for it, want parents to give it to them and do not understand why
they don’t just hand over the gold card and have a great inability to conceive
the concept of an honest days work for an honest days pay.
These
same individuals are planning futures together. Some of them are even currently
raising children in an unrealistic reality where you can have it all. If you
watch tv long enough you will encounter an advertisement for Tronix Country.
The opening statement of the ad says “Tired of not having the best things in
life like a large screen television?”
That
right there shows you the mentality of society at the moment. In order to have
the best in life you need a materialistic representation. Those of us who have
had to deal without know better. Tronix however is doing big business and we
are enabling it to happen because we all HAVE to have the latest greatest of
everything. The government is trillions of dollars in debt. The youth want
money but don’t want to work. The Kardashians are cashing in on us because we
are so busy trying to keep up. Where will it all end? http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2349117563337
Monday, September 26, 2011
Generosity
For the past 20 years (I
started as a child prodigy at the mere age of 10) I have been fortunate enough
to participate in one of the few truly college run radio stations left to us.
It has allowed my musical knowledge to grow and enabled me to meet individuals
that would have most likely never crossed my path in any other circumstance. I
am fortunate for this experience and would greatly like for it to continue.
This year, as well as the past few, has been financially tough for us all.
Having enough money to meet the rising costs of daily needs has been
increasingly more difficult. Answering every plea for help is impossible for any
one individual but if you can answer any plea, I am asking that it be to donate
to the radio station that broadcasts live 24 hours a day from the campus of
Loyola Marymount called KXLU. This
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 8-10 PM Pacific Standard Time I will be on air
to raise funds for both the station and my show Soiree Musicale. Please
contribute to the cause by pledging your support either online at http://www.kxlu.com/ or by calling in a pledge
at 310-338-KXLU that’s 310-338-5958. All pledges are greatly appreciated. Thanks
VERY much for your new and continued support!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
A Dedicated DJ
Monday, August 15, 2011
No Comment
I'm a curious creature by nature, most of us tend to be. I enjoy surfing the net and reading about various tidbits from all around the globe. I'm not a sports fan but I've read plenty of sports articles. I don't care for Lady Ga Ga or the latest rappers but I know what they've been doing. I've never seen most of the current run top shows out there and I've know idea why we keep up with the Kardashians but I've spent time on OMG just to see what the rest of the world is doing. It is a wonderful ability to be able to open up the World Wide Web and learn about anything. The world is literally at your fingertips. I can be a science geek one day and a Hollywood who's who expert the next. I can learn about the joys of a family I do not know in Petra or the sadness of a fallen soldier I'll never meet from Arkansas. I can leave my respects, my awe, my bewilderment in a comment and feel as if I have participated in the world without ever leaving the comfort of my living room. To me it should be a beautiful thing to be able to feel empathy for the individuals who inhabit our world that we will never be capable of knowing in person.
What amazes me most in regards to all of these varied posts is the comments section. In particular the often arbitrary, insulting, demeaning, demoralizing, disgusting comments that most people feel are perfectly fine to add to every article. For instance, currently there's an online story regarding a 12 year old who wandered off from the camping group with out a buddy and became lost in the woods. He was found just over 20 hours later with minimal mishap. Many comments were thankful he was found safe as the overnight temp was 31 degrees and he had no jacket, food or water. However, many more comments were about him being a great target for a gay evangelical, not smart, no big deal that he was out, too stupid for words and the list goes on. Similarly I read an article this morning on a man's very touching tribute to his pregnant wife who died in one of the 9-11 planes. Again the comments were mixed with beautiful thoughts about what he had done and ugly racial slurs and conspiracy theories that were not needed. An article about a 90 year old 9th degree black belt contained a comment about how she probably was a bitch in bed. Rebecca Black, an online singing sensation, not for good but for bad, has some of the most hateful comments I've ever seen in print. She has been forced to drop out of regular school due to the high profile hatred she's incurring. She is 15 and getting death threats. DEATH THREATS, really?! Are we so shallow a society that a 15 year old whose only crime was poor singing is being threatened with death? After reading some story comments, I am immediately reminded that it's not that unreasonable to believe, that issues of the days of MLK are still alive and well and not just in the south. I've even seen comments at the end of articles which debase not only the author but the entire subject being written. Why read it if you don't want to know?
If the comments were relevant, well written positions of why you disagree with the subject being discussed it would be a different story. We would have a true open discourse about an idea or subject, person or thing that would instill a debate with reasonable respect for all parties involved. Unfortunately no such thing seems to exist. Those articulate enough to write an opinion tend to not be the writer. Instead we have individuals who think writing "First to comment" as the comment serves some value in the world. We have people who can not even be bothered to spell check or use even slang correctly. We have sex starved women posting links to their sites and penis enhancement ads trying to garner our attention. We have the freedom of speech here yet what we choose to say tends to have no value.
Why do humans feel the need to interject evil into every aspect. Why do we feel joy in tearing down those around us that may be trying to make a positive difference. I feel we are at a loss in our society. Everyone has an opinion. We do not live in a rose colored society but based on the comments that I have seen, the glass is definitely less than half empty. No Comments Please.
What amazes me most in regards to all of these varied posts is the comments section. In particular the often arbitrary, insulting, demeaning, demoralizing, disgusting comments that most people feel are perfectly fine to add to every article. For instance, currently there's an online story regarding a 12 year old who wandered off from the camping group with out a buddy and became lost in the woods. He was found just over 20 hours later with minimal mishap. Many comments were thankful he was found safe as the overnight temp was 31 degrees and he had no jacket, food or water. However, many more comments were about him being a great target for a gay evangelical, not smart, no big deal that he was out, too stupid for words and the list goes on. Similarly I read an article this morning on a man's very touching tribute to his pregnant wife who died in one of the 9-11 planes. Again the comments were mixed with beautiful thoughts about what he had done and ugly racial slurs and conspiracy theories that were not needed. An article about a 90 year old 9th degree black belt contained a comment about how she probably was a bitch in bed. Rebecca Black, an online singing sensation, not for good but for bad, has some of the most hateful comments I've ever seen in print. She has been forced to drop out of regular school due to the high profile hatred she's incurring. She is 15 and getting death threats. DEATH THREATS, really?! Are we so shallow a society that a 15 year old whose only crime was poor singing is being threatened with death? After reading some story comments, I am immediately reminded that it's not that unreasonable to believe, that issues of the days of MLK are still alive and well and not just in the south. I've even seen comments at the end of articles which debase not only the author but the entire subject being written. Why read it if you don't want to know?
If the comments were relevant, well written positions of why you disagree with the subject being discussed it would be a different story. We would have a true open discourse about an idea or subject, person or thing that would instill a debate with reasonable respect for all parties involved. Unfortunately no such thing seems to exist. Those articulate enough to write an opinion tend to not be the writer. Instead we have individuals who think writing "First to comment" as the comment serves some value in the world. We have people who can not even be bothered to spell check or use even slang correctly. We have sex starved women posting links to their sites and penis enhancement ads trying to garner our attention. We have the freedom of speech here yet what we choose to say tends to have no value.
Why do humans feel the need to interject evil into every aspect. Why do we feel joy in tearing down those around us that may be trying to make a positive difference. I feel we are at a loss in our society. Everyone has an opinion. We do not live in a rose colored society but based on the comments that I have seen, the glass is definitely less than half empty. No Comments Please.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
I Hate the Jonas Brothers
I am going to say it. "I HATE the Jonas Brothers" I am very glad the Jonas Brothers in 3D movie did not do as well as they expected as it reassures me that the general public's taste has not gone so far off the deep end as I originally believed. I cannot fathom how this off-key, formulaic, blandafied sound is considered good. I feel bad for Hanson now. I was never a fan but, Hanson's music had more substance to it than this and we mocked them terribly.
The Jonas Brothers top a list that is steadily growing. This list contains many individuals who were in the right place at the right time and are now somehow "stars". Beyonce, for example, is everywhere. She is a talented young lady but she is NOT as talented as the masses would like us to believe. She is Not a great actress. She is not that fantastic of a dancer. She does Not have the best sense when it comes to fashion ( well when it comes to her mom's fashions. Say NO mom. You're an Adult it's ok) Pop music is her strength. She has great catchy songs that are perfect for your work out or dancing. She had NO business whatsoever singing "At Last". Her voice does not carry it off. If she can sustain a lifelong career like Etta James and Tina Turner (who were smart enough to stick with their strengths) then we won't mind seeing her everywhere but for now let's say we've had enough Beyonce.
Let's stop the madness now. No more formulaic entertainment. Just because the radios are playing it every three hours doesn't mean it's actually good. "Mmm bop, ba duba dop, In an mmmm bop they're gone."
The Jonas Brothers top a list that is steadily growing. This list contains many individuals who were in the right place at the right time and are now somehow "stars". Beyonce, for example, is everywhere. She is a talented young lady but she is NOT as talented as the masses would like us to believe. She is Not a great actress. She is not that fantastic of a dancer. She does Not have the best sense when it comes to fashion ( well when it comes to her mom's fashions. Say NO mom. You're an Adult it's ok) Pop music is her strength. She has great catchy songs that are perfect for your work out or dancing. She had NO business whatsoever singing "At Last". Her voice does not carry it off. If she can sustain a lifelong career like Etta James and Tina Turner (who were smart enough to stick with their strengths) then we won't mind seeing her everywhere but for now let's say we've had enough Beyonce.
Let's stop the madness now. No more formulaic entertainment. Just because the radios are playing it every three hours doesn't mean it's actually good. "Mmm bop, ba duba dop, In an mmmm bop they're gone."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)