Don't be ignorant

My dad and I don't see eye to eye on much of anything, politically speaking. I was just sitting here thinking of a blog topic to write about when suddenly it was delivered to my room. My dad came in to read me a text message his friend sent him. It was on the topic of illegal immigration to the US. It was as follows:

"If u cross the north Korean border illegally u get 12 years hard labor...if u cross Iranian border illegally u get detained indefinitely. Cross the Afghan border u get shot. Cross the Saudi border u will be jailed. Cross the Chinese border u will never be heard from again. Cross the Venezuelan border u will b branded a spy and your fate sealed. Cross the Cuban border u will b thrown n prison to rot. However, cross the U.S. border illegally, u get a job, a drivers license, a social security card, welfare benefits, food stamps, credit cards, subsidized rent or a loan to buy a new house, free education, free health care, the right to vote, and all without speaking a word of english. This should piss Americans off. If you agree, forward to everyone you know!"

I asked him if he agreed with the message. He did. I pointed out that China, Venezuela, North Korea, and Cuba are all communist countries where people give up their rights for perceived social equality. As a conservative Republican, shouldn't he take offense to their philosophies? Most of these countries have reputations for being horrible places to live or, at the very least, full of poverty and violent conflict. Why does he want to take their advice?

Secondly, if illegal immigrants got the right to vote, I never heard it and I think it would be a pretty huge issue if they did. Lastly, I recommended he take with a grain of salt any information he receives in a chain letter, a text message, or anything else that addresses him as 'u.'

I don't have a strong stance on immigration, but I can sympathize with people who feel the need to sneak into a more prosperous country. I'm sure my dad would do the same thing if he were in their position. However, I don't feel that I know enough about the issue to take a stance on it, so I don't. It makes me angry when people blindly take a side on something they obviously know nothing about, or when they validate an argument simply because the conclusion is the same as theirs, despite whether any of the points made were valid.

I realize he just thought the text message was funny, but come on. This is a guy who still thinks interracial marriage is a big deal and thinks there is opposition to it in the Bible. What the heck? (<- total contradiction of the topic in my last post. I never said there weren't exceptions to the "Don't be That Guy Rule.")

7/7 - done catching up

Don't be that guy

Don't be the guy that says that political or religious opinion as if it were fact in the middle of light-hearted conversation and make everyone feel awkward.

For real. You're welcome to your opinions, but don't state them like they're fact. It makes everyone uncomfortable. It's an established rule of conversation not to bring up religion or politics unless you know everyone involved is okay with it and you're mature enough to be receptive to their ideas. In English today, we were told that when writing a free-response question on the AP Language exam that we should make at least one concession in order to show mature thinking, because mature thinkers are able to recognize that their opinion is not absolute fact or the only viable option. I completely agree with that statement and think it's something people should apply to their entire life rather than just an FRQ.

6/7

Eat slowly

This isn't really a big deal, but I feel that people who go through their food too quickly miss out on one of the greatest things in life. I went to Chick-Fil-A the other day with a few friends and though most of us ate for the entire hour or so that we were there, one of my friends finished his meal in less than two minutes and his drink in one large gulp.

Food, relaxation, and friends go hand in hand. Extending the meal over an hour instead of two minutes means you get more for your money, continue feeling full, can take time to enjoy the taste of the food, and fill in gaps of conversation or time needed to think. It's part of a societal trend to always be hurrying through life, even though a quick arrival at whatever your destination is isn't necessary.

5/7

Be outgoing

So, as I've already posted, I'm going to Centre College this fall, probably to major in English. I've gone to school with many of the same people since elementary school and it's going to be a completely new experience for me. In fact, most incoming students will be facing this same problem. I didn't really know how to go about preparing for the complete shock of knowing absolutely no one until I got an idea from another incoming student.

My friend, Michael Gaddis, another incoming student, received a friend request from a girl named Coral Davenport. He told me that she added everyone on Facebook who was in the Centre '14 network. I thought this was an excellent idea and did the same, sending each friend request with a message explaining that I'm going to Centre with them next year. I also looked at their profile and, if I saw anything we had in common, I tried to mention it in the message. As a result I've met a few people I'm sure I will be befriending in person at Centre this fall. I'd strongly recommend anyone reading this to add at least the people in their incoming class who seem somewhat interesting. It has had a positive result for me so far.

4/7