Actually BE Proud

     Our heritage makes us who we are without even realizing it. Many people, including myself, have no clue about the true history of their ancestors, or where exactly they originate from. We are told we are one quarter this, and two thirds that, but have never really, truly practiced the beliefs, traditions, and customs of our elders.

Image found at Google Images

     Sure I’m Italian so I eat spaghetti and baked ziti every Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday celebration, Easter, or basically any time my family congregates, but this does not mean I know what it is really like to be Italian. And of course I drink like a pirate because I’m Irish, but I have never been to Ireland or even met anyone who has an Irish accent. Many of us pretend to be certain people because we are told to embrace cultures that we do not necessarily understand. Can you imagine how livid the Italian community is at Jersey Shore for portraying Italians as drunken fools?

     But to say you are American does not give person diversity unless that person also says I am Asian, black, and Native American. We all try to be different because in today’s society, individuality is valued. However, we are not necessarily being true to ourselves if we are constantly mimicking other cultures in which we have no right to do so.

     The United States is the greatest country and continues to be so. Why don’t we all simply say we are American, instead of three other ethnicities that we think make us look cooler. Let’s face it; we are all probably 50 different cultures due to how much interracial marriage occurs. I know we are all patriotic and proud to be from America, but we turn right back around and make sure we clarify what individual background we are made of without remembering that none of us have earned that right to say we are anything but American.  

Money Money Money

      Why do I need two microwaves in my room? Why do we need mini lights above the pictures in the commons to illuminate the poster of things we do not even care about? Why are there TVs every ten feet in every building on campus? But yet, I still pay 250 dollars to obtain season tickets and I am a student at Penn State. This tuition is beyond ridiculous for the unnecessary things this school provides its students. Instead of me paying 43,000 dollars a year to attend this school, I should be paying a reasonable amount. I’m getting an education, not a mansion.

      Society stresses that after high school, in order to be successful, you must attend college. And whats better than having the grades to attend a top school like Penn State, where after I graduate I am guaranteed a job. But once I get to college, it’s like I am being punished for being an intelligent student. The only reason why I decided to attend Penn State (when It comes to the tuition issue) is because I don’t have 10,000 to go to a school in Delaware either, so if I’m going to be in debt, I might as well just go big and pay the 43,000 a year.

     However, more and more as I stroll around this massive campus, I observe the luxuries that we have that make no sense. These lights that are constantly on? I just want to call the maintenance department and let them know that I am paying this electric bill, so please shut off these lights. I understand the safety issue, making some things necessary like call boxes to the University Police, or lights outside. But when a building is lit up at 2am that no one is in, that strains my wallet with each minute.

     All this money that this school obtains is split up in places that hinder my growth as a student.  When I graduate my first worry is to get a decent job. My second worry, is to pay off my debt from a place that should have been helping me, not hurting me financially. You cannot stress education as a community and then turn around to make it impossible to get one. 

Think Before You Point

     It’s a shame that we live in a world where everything we do is judged. We are afraid to make one move because it could possibly offend our neighbors. But doesn’t it seem like more and more today, everything that someone does is taken offensively?

    

 My sister recently texted me this poem with the following text saying, “too offensive for Facebook?”

Twas the night before Patty's and all through Yunk
All the peoples preparing to get themselves drunk
Barrels of Jameson and Guinness all snug in their places
To be guzzled down throats of smiling green faces 
A weekend full of cheer as anyone will say
Where even a black can b Irish for one day. 
So don't lose your shamrocks and wrap your fiddles up tight
Happy Patty's day to all and to all a good night.

     

     My older sister was planning on posting this as a status to entice people to come to Kildare’s and drink at her bar on St. Patrick’s Day, but of course she needed my permission before she clicked the post button. The only reason why she felt it might be offensive is because of one simple line, “where even a black can b Irish for one day.” Now, my older sister is the farthest thing from racist. She has dated black men and accepts all walks of life every single day being not only a resident of Philadelphia, but an artist as well.

     That statement above is not racist. However, in today’s society, the consequences of that reference of a black person could be crippling to the author. These consequences are petty and ridiculous. But these consequences go both ways. All individuals, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity point the finger of discrimination without processing how minute the issue is. Not everything a person who bares different skin from you is racist. Get over yourself.