Going Down in Flames

           Omnipresent in the news media today is the mention of religious zealots fighting for ideals, be it terrorism struggling to rid of the establishment in Iraq or in America’s own backyard. In a country that is supposed to stand for freedom, equality, and justice, this infringement on our constitution by a pastor from Florida or by a group of protesters on the streets of New York City has not only created doubt about the future of our country, but has impacted me by sowing fear and distrust into my worldview. I can only hope that the world can move away from this current mindset of self-serving need for a uniform society before we progress into drastic decline.

            America was founded on principles of religious equality and freedom for all. Although it has taken awhile to reach equality with the civil rights movement taking place only 45 years ago, I fear that the rise of radical ideas like uniform English language usage in America and the burning of the Koran will only work to undo this. When one person can threaten to burn a book in pure spite of another’s religion the cohesiveness of our world falters. I believe that if we continue down this path it can only lead towards contempt for the differences in our fellow citizens, ignorance to culture, and a failure to be open, accepting, and welcoming in the future.

            Growing up during the War on Terrorism, I have seen firsthand how fanaticism can lead to destruction. One only needs to look back 9 years to see how a couple of radicals can tear down towers along with the dreams and emotions of a nation. I have grown up in an age that was afraid; afraid to fly, afraid to travel, afraid of differences. Sadly it is a reality that kids my age are scared of Muslims even though they aren’t at all comparable to the radicals represented in Al Qaeda and in the Iranian government. It is much the same as my parent’s generation and the Soviets or of the contempt towards the Germans during the World Wars. I feel that through this process of healing as a nation in the aftermath of the attacks we need to be open-minded and move away from stereotypes in order to move forward. Sitting at home listening to the news I worry about our troops and about the backlash an act carried out by a Florida pastor would create. Without change in our attitudes as a nation I fear the future will be filled with more tension and resentment.

            In a world of instantaneous communication, of a global network of information, in order to coexist with hundreds of different ideas and pasts it is imperative that we allow the variety in people to flourish. Difference doesn’t need to breed distrust if we stick to our values and ignore the attention grabbing actions of the few people that spread their ideas with dramatic actions.

On the Act of Writing

So maybe I'll be a little cliché, but the reality is I only write for school. I don't write for creative output or to satisfy my bloated head, I write purely for one letter. It's not that I am limiting myself to earn a grade and that's the end of my ideas on paper, it is just how it is. Creativity hasn't always been my strong point, (I love absolutes and concrete concepts) but that can always attempt to change if I want it to. Writing pretty much comes down to effort; sitting comfortably, pondering word choice, pen to paper, time flying by. I honestly think that if I ever did decide to spend an afternoon scribing my thoughts on paper it would be a beautiful thing.


I am convinced of the fact that my writing would be first and foremost for myself, if I ever got around to writing that is. I envision it as a perfect blend of Didion and Orwell, a style that conforms to my own desires. I would lead towards the Orwell's writing, just because I love to have purpose behind my writing and I thoroughly enjoy politics. I would write for a reason, maybe to physically express my thoughts or to expound upon a topic I'm interested in, but I would include my voice too. Orwell describes it by saying "so long as I remain alive and well I shall continue to feel strongly about prose style, to love the surface of the earth, and to take pleasure in solid objects and scraps of useless information." To me this explains writing as something that has personality, that shows the thoughts of the reader behind the motive not unlike 1984 or Animal Farm. Perhaps I would shy away from such obvious viewpoints but I can't help being drawn to the way Orwell craftily weaves his message into characters, conflict, setting, and story.


Combined with the creative and free-flowing nature of Joan Didion, ideally I would write to make a statement to either myself or the world. Whether the intent is to achieve an A or to assert upon someone my thoughts, I write to learn more about myself by acquainting myself with the ideas that come through my fingertips and onto the screen.

Back to the Future

Back to the future, back to reality; call it what you may but it all leads to the same outcome: school. The arrival of Labor Day weekend brings with it last vestiges of summer; long evenings with friends, a day or two spent at the Great Minnesota Get Together, and days of pure relaxation. The beginning of another year of routine makes us acutely aware of our future, of what comes next, be it rigorous coursework or preparation for college. Dreams of bigger and better things, of life on a campus away from parents have been frequenting my brain lately, but maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself.


I've always enjoyed thinking of life after high school, full of ideas of being a lawyer living in the Big Apple, but this year I've realized to live in the moment. A plan is important but so is the high school experience, the last time you get a chance to be young and carefree. So after a longwinded explanation, basically this year I'm going to enjoy Cross Country, Student Council, piano, choir and a plethora of other activities while they last, make the most out of school and enjoy it while it lasts. Plus having parents that support you fiscally won't last forever so you've got to make the most of it! Here is to a new school year, hopefully it's a good one.