Right. I've set myself the target of blogging more. Also, to go to the gym more. And eat more healthily, spend less money etc etc.
At least the first target is realistic?
I was very young when I said this (about four or five), but I once said to my Mum that "Brown people are made of poo".
I remember this moment clearly because it's something I'm deeply ashamed of. I didn't know or associate with anyone of a dark skin colour, I couldn't comprehend the idea of a different skin colour, so I decided to attack it.
My mother, in one of her moments of wisdom, simply replied with;
"One day, you're going to make a friend who has dark skin. Then you'll realise what you've said is wrong."
At that moment in time, I remember feeling that there was no way in hell she could be right.
One day an Indian boy started at my school. And I became good friends with him. In fact at one point, best friends with him.
I apologised to my Mother whilst feeling tremendously guilty for saying such horrid things that clearly weren't true.
She just smiled. No "I told you so" was needed. She didn't need to say anything, she just understood that I was young and uneducated
-Uneducated being the key word there.
Racism isn't just skin colour. It's now anything from accent to your home country.
All this anti-immigration propaganda being flashed at us on a daily basis from The Daily Mail and The Sun, are just proving how little we actually know about other cultures.
The "Ban the Burka" slogan only makes me want to rip someone's head off every time I hear it.
Let me first disprove the common argument from your average idiot;
"Oh, when we go over to their country, we have to wear a Burka, so they should do the same over here and respect our laws"
-Hold up.
We have a law saying "At all times, you must not wear something covering your face"?
Well, that's news to me at least.
Perhaps the Burka-Bashers (I can use alliteration to make a catchy slogan, too) should realise that by wearing the Burka, these women are actually respecting our laws of freedom of speech and freedom to wear (pretty much) what you want in this country.
If we, as a country, understand that these women aren't forced into wearing the Burka (Despite what seems to be frequently repeated by people with no point of reference) and that they wish to of their own free will, and learnt the real reasons why they wear them, then we might begin to empathise with them. We only find Burkas intimidating because they're different.
Some comments from Muslim women regarding the Burka, relating to the possible ban in France (Found on the BBC);
"I am a Muslim women who wears the burka and never ever was I forced to wear my Islamic dress code or even felt remotely enslaved by my Islamic values and clothing. Mr Sarkozy doesn't understand Islam and never will because his heart is full of hate to my religion.
I was born free to make my own choice."
Mariam Siluiman, Paris, France
"Why it does not bother us when we encounter nuns (YES Catholic Nuns) covered the same way? Through education we will overcome this obstacle - not through judgments - and YES help these people get educated not judging them."
Benhard, Paris, France
"All over the France half of the French billboards and commercials are studded with pictures of virtually naked women. Just because the males seeking pleasure in those naked pictures of women would turn the eyes to these commercials.
The French do not have any objection to when women are turned into an object of pleasure, but when few women want to have burka as a part of religious/social custom, then the French start to preach their social doctrine.
It should be the people who dress should choose how to dress themselves rather than the president of their country. Why can't the French be open-minded as the British are."
Haldia Saudagar, Caen, France
I could rant on forever about different forms of racism, and how it's ignorant, and backward pedalling, but instead I'll finish with this;
Here's hoping that with more education, people will begin to mix with other cultures more freely, and strive to learn about other cultures, and eventually embrace them.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Agnosticism
Yep, Agnosticism is a real word.
I had someone label me as an Agnostic a while back. Until then, I'd always thought of myself as an open-minded Atheist.
Turns out that's pretty much the definition of an Agnostic. So yes, I guess I am one.
I've been observing things lately. Trying to talk less (which is difficult for me. Very difficult.) and see and hear more. By hear, I mean listen. Actually listen to what people have to say.
I'm not a Christian. I don't believe in a God. Any God. That doesn't mean I'm not religious.
I try to think of Jesus as a prophet more than anything.
I follow his teachings as best I can. Whether he existed or not, whether he was the son of God or not, someone, somewhere came up with those teachings, and had them written down in a big book.
And let's face it, everything that that man apparently said, was brilliant.
One story that stands out for me, is the story of the adulterous woman;
About to get stoned, probably to death, for committing the act of adultery, a lady is brought before Jesus by various Scribes and Pharisees, and he's asked to cast judgement.
He ignores them, and instead begins to write on the ground with his finger.
Desperate for an answer, the group of people repeat their question to him until he simply stands up, looks at them and says;
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
And then continued writing on the ground with his finger.
Of course, no-one could. And so they fled, one by one. And when Jesus looked back up, he found only the woman there.
"Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"
"No man, Lord"
"Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
This was a whole new approach. As opposed to "An eye for an eye" they now had this man questioning their way of life. Asking the accuser if actually, they were as guilty as the one they were trying to condemn. At the same time, he didn't point the finger, didn't condemn those who were accusing, but instead let them reailse it for themselves.
This story is more relevant today than ever. More applicable than it has ever been.
I often do this. I point the finger, before I even know the circumstance.
I try to judge others when in fact, I'm no better than them. In fact, I'm probably worse.
Next time you point your finger at someone, notice that there are three pointing back at you.
I had someone label me as an Agnostic a while back. Until then, I'd always thought of myself as an open-minded Atheist.
Turns out that's pretty much the definition of an Agnostic. So yes, I guess I am one.
I've been observing things lately. Trying to talk less (which is difficult for me. Very difficult.) and see and hear more. By hear, I mean listen. Actually listen to what people have to say.
I'm not a Christian. I don't believe in a God. Any God. That doesn't mean I'm not religious.
I try to think of Jesus as a prophet more than anything.
I follow his teachings as best I can. Whether he existed or not, whether he was the son of God or not, someone, somewhere came up with those teachings, and had them written down in a big book.
And let's face it, everything that that man apparently said, was brilliant.
One story that stands out for me, is the story of the adulterous woman;
About to get stoned, probably to death, for committing the act of adultery, a lady is brought before Jesus by various Scribes and Pharisees, and he's asked to cast judgement.
He ignores them, and instead begins to write on the ground with his finger.
Desperate for an answer, the group of people repeat their question to him until he simply stands up, looks at them and says;
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
And then continued writing on the ground with his finger.
Of course, no-one could. And so they fled, one by one. And when Jesus looked back up, he found only the woman there.
"Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"
"No man, Lord"
"Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
This was a whole new approach. As opposed to "An eye for an eye" they now had this man questioning their way of life. Asking the accuser if actually, they were as guilty as the one they were trying to condemn. At the same time, he didn't point the finger, didn't condemn those who were accusing, but instead let them reailse it for themselves.
This story is more relevant today than ever. More applicable than it has ever been.
I often do this. I point the finger, before I even know the circumstance.
I try to judge others when in fact, I'm no better than them. In fact, I'm probably worse.
Next time you point your finger at someone, notice that there are three pointing back at you.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Perspectives
So, I haven't updated for a while.
Meh, I've been busy, and that thing called 'life' keeps taking priority...
Anyway, I've just come back from a two week holiday in Italy.
Sicily, to be more precise.
I'll start the blog with a simple statement, then contribute a comment/view on it, and then elaborate some more.
"Broken Britain"
I'll proceed to take this statement, place it in my mouth and chew it thoroughly. Then I'll swallow it, regurgitate it, spread it out onto a road, and have a Fiat Panda (The Fiat Panda part being actually kind've relevant) drive over it until it looks like, well, I'm unsure as to what vomit looks like after being run over for an hour or so, but not pretty anyway.
I have so many points to talk about, I'm struggling to decide where to start.
I've always taken for granted what I have, where I live, etc. but this experience really hammered it home.
Palermo, Sicily, and from what I can see at face value, Palermo should be a clean, thriving city, with a mixture of modern architecture, and preserved ruins and old buildings/statues/etc. where people respect their fellow person, where rubbish is collected regularly, streets are kept clean, tourists flock to the city for the sunny weather, beaches, and the tourist attractions.
-This is not the case.
This city, that is the capital of Sicily, that is part of Italy, which is a member of the G8 (that is, effectively the 8 most powerful/rich countries in the world) is, for lack of a better word, a shithole.
Rubbish piled high on every corner, constant urine and feces in the street (Both human and animal), Beggars (some with gold teeth) at every turn, graffiti plaguing the city, and, I hear this is the case for Italy in general, NO traffic or safety laws. Or none that seem to be in place.
Helmets? They're pretty much a fashion accessory. Two people on a moped only? Rubbish, four can fit easily, including your two toddlers without helmets.
The horn is pretty much something cars live by. Pavements are an option for mopeds.
Pedestrian crossings? Pfft.
10, million different police forces.
For example;
The Carabinieri (Military Police) - They don't deal with 'small' crime.
Polizia di Stato - Apparently, these guys are in charge of traffic crimes and other small things.
Polizia Penitenziaria - Prison Police.
Polizia Municipale - Pretty much the Same as Polizia di Stato, but like, a different police force.
There's also Coast Guards, and Forest Ranger Police, and Financial Police...
You get the idea. The point is, they may do things differently with their police, cool, fine, whatever, but THEY'RE STILL NOT DOING ANYTHING. Police everywhere, and none seemed to be doing their jobs.
We climbed to the top of a mountain and saw some amazing views and wildlife, including wild snakes and lizards. But then we stumbled across woodland covered in litter, and this statue, right at the top of the mountain, ruined. Again, the mountainside, covered in litter, and filth.
I could keep going on, but I'm trying to make a point.
I'm half Sicilian. My mum was born in Palermo.
She was embarassed to be there. She claims it's gotten far worse in the last 20 years.
I've just had my first true insight into my roots, and honestly? It disgusts me.
How can a government forget about an entire region of it's country like that?
I am more than certain the Mafia have a fair bit to do with the state Sicily is in, but whatever the case, this has all led to one conclusion.
Broken Britain? When countries are in as bad a shape as that, and there are countries far worse off than Sicily is, we don't have the right to call Britain broken.
Meh, I've been busy, and that thing called 'life' keeps taking priority...
Anyway, I've just come back from a two week holiday in Italy.
Sicily, to be more precise.
I'll start the blog with a simple statement, then contribute a comment/view on it, and then elaborate some more.
"Broken Britain"
I'll proceed to take this statement, place it in my mouth and chew it thoroughly. Then I'll swallow it, regurgitate it, spread it out onto a road, and have a Fiat Panda (The Fiat Panda part being actually kind've relevant) drive over it until it looks like, well, I'm unsure as to what vomit looks like after being run over for an hour or so, but not pretty anyway.
I have so many points to talk about, I'm struggling to decide where to start.
I've always taken for granted what I have, where I live, etc. but this experience really hammered it home.
Palermo, Sicily, and from what I can see at face value, Palermo should be a clean, thriving city, with a mixture of modern architecture, and preserved ruins and old buildings/statues/etc. where people respect their fellow person, where rubbish is collected regularly, streets are kept clean, tourists flock to the city for the sunny weather, beaches, and the tourist attractions.
-This is not the case.
This city, that is the capital of Sicily, that is part of Italy, which is a member of the G8 (that is, effectively the 8 most powerful/rich countries in the world) is, for lack of a better word, a shithole.
Rubbish piled high on every corner, constant urine and feces in the street (Both human and animal), Beggars (some with gold teeth) at every turn, graffiti plaguing the city, and, I hear this is the case for Italy in general, NO traffic or safety laws. Or none that seem to be in place.
Helmets? They're pretty much a fashion accessory. Two people on a moped only? Rubbish, four can fit easily, including your two toddlers without helmets.
The horn is pretty much something cars live by. Pavements are an option for mopeds.
Pedestrian crossings? Pfft.
10, million different police forces.
For example;
The Carabinieri (Military Police) - They don't deal with 'small' crime.
Polizia di Stato - Apparently, these guys are in charge of traffic crimes and other small things.
Polizia Penitenziaria - Prison Police.
Polizia Municipale - Pretty much the Same as Polizia di Stato, but like, a different police force.
There's also Coast Guards, and Forest Ranger Police, and Financial Police...
You get the idea. The point is, they may do things differently with their police, cool, fine, whatever, but THEY'RE STILL NOT DOING ANYTHING. Police everywhere, and none seemed to be doing their jobs.
We climbed to the top of a mountain and saw some amazing views and wildlife, including wild snakes and lizards. But then we stumbled across woodland covered in litter, and this statue, right at the top of the mountain, ruined. Again, the mountainside, covered in litter, and filth.
I could keep going on, but I'm trying to make a point.
I'm half Sicilian. My mum was born in Palermo.
She was embarassed to be there. She claims it's gotten far worse in the last 20 years.
I've just had my first true insight into my roots, and honestly? It disgusts me.
How can a government forget about an entire region of it's country like that?
I am more than certain the Mafia have a fair bit to do with the state Sicily is in, but whatever the case, this has all led to one conclusion.
Broken Britain? When countries are in as bad a shape as that, and there are countries far worse off than Sicily is, we don't have the right to call Britain broken.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Life
To build on my last post, I've noticed something more in recent.
Life seems to take any and all chances it can to snatch people away from us.
Whether it's to try us, to test us, by chance or by choice, or even by fate, it happens.
If you're lucky enough to have a chance to say goodbye to the loved one before they go, and can tell them how much you loved them, count your blessings.
If not, make sure you tell everyone you love, how much you care about them as often as you can.
-Ensure you cuddle your pets at every chance you get, as they're part of your family.
-See your friends at every opportunity. And make more whenever you can. Even if you only have a few close ones that you want to spend time with, make sure you do that, and see them often. Friends are equally as important as family, and life would probably be far worse without them.
-See/ring your grandparents as often as you can. They're amazing, and they send you chocolate and money at Christmas, Easter, and Birthdays. And you'll miss them when they're gone.
-Keep in touch with your wider family. Your cousins, your Aunts and Uncles, your distant relatives. They're still your family, whether you get on with them or not.
-Try your best to forgive your siblings. They're incredibly annoying, but remember you annoy them just as much back, and at some point in your life, they may be all you've got.
-Love your parents. Really. They gave you life. However you were conceived, you've got them to thank for your existence, if nothing else.
Appreciate everyone and everything around you. You never know when it all might be taken away. This message is repeated over and over again, and it still can't be stressed enough.
And so, I'm becoming more and more aware of how little time I've actually got on this Earth, and how the time I do have here needs to spent with my loved ones, enjoying the time I do have to the fullest extent.
Life seems to take any and all chances it can to snatch people away from us.
Whether it's to try us, to test us, by chance or by choice, or even by fate, it happens.
If you're lucky enough to have a chance to say goodbye to the loved one before they go, and can tell them how much you loved them, count your blessings.
If not, make sure you tell everyone you love, how much you care about them as often as you can.
-Ensure you cuddle your pets at every chance you get, as they're part of your family.
-See your friends at every opportunity. And make more whenever you can. Even if you only have a few close ones that you want to spend time with, make sure you do that, and see them often. Friends are equally as important as family, and life would probably be far worse without them.
-See/ring your grandparents as often as you can. They're amazing, and they send you chocolate and money at Christmas, Easter, and Birthdays. And you'll miss them when they're gone.
-Keep in touch with your wider family. Your cousins, your Aunts and Uncles, your distant relatives. They're still your family, whether you get on with them or not.
-Try your best to forgive your siblings. They're incredibly annoying, but remember you annoy them just as much back, and at some point in your life, they may be all you've got.
-Love your parents. Really. They gave you life. However you were conceived, you've got them to thank for your existence, if nothing else.
Appreciate everyone and everything around you. You never know when it all might be taken away. This message is repeated over and over again, and it still can't be stressed enough.
And so, I'm becoming more and more aware of how little time I've actually got on this Earth, and how the time I do have here needs to spent with my loved ones, enjoying the time I do have to the fullest extent.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Celebration
So this post is a set of reflections after going out on a boozy night, for a good friend's birthday, after much drinking, laughing, and admiring attractive women, etc.
The way home was less a yellow brick road, more a two mile trek of cycle tracks, chavs and mopeds, however, I was accompanied by another good friend, so made do.
We chatted, discussed the good bits of the night, the awkward bits, the stupid things I'd said, and so on.
I reached my house, awkward man hug goodbye, and to bed I collapsed.
Next morning, and my hangover cure; I spent 45 minutes in the shower, reflecting on the drunken dreams I'd had in the night, and going over events, thinking how she was hot, she wasn't, he was nice, he wasn't, and how "Oh, why did I say that!? And maybe if I'd said that, I'd have been funnier, and maybe she'd have fancied me, actually, wait, I'm not even sure I fancied her, anyway." and so on. You know, normal thoughts one has about the night before...
Somehow though, my head managed to worm it's way round to an old friend of mine who was a Jehovah's Witness.
I remember, him having a birthday, and telling us he didn't celebrate it, because it was part of his religion not to.
As I understand it, Jehovah's Witnesses are a very strict.
Now, obviously, after having such a nice time the night before, the idea of not celebrating a birthday at all, is an alien concept to me. I'm not going to go into the belief side of things, for want of debate or another, I don't know anywhere near enough about the religion. Hell, I'm still not sure whether they're part of Christianity or not...
But I'll just jump straight to my point.
They don't celebrate birthdays!!!!
For a start, as a child, had I been a Jehovah's Witness, I would not have got this:
(Space Precinct. Best show ever. My friend broke the door off. My brother never forgave me...)
I don't understand, how in this world full of misery, and I mean filled up to bursting with hate, murder, rape, peadophillia, war, crime of all sorts, something stops us celebrating birthdays? And Christmas. And Easter.
We need any excuse nowadays to see our friends, our family, to go out and meet new people, not less reasons!
We need any excuse to have a good time.
We need any excuse to show the good side of human nature.
Hell, we need any excuse to show love.
What I love about most religions, most of the time, is that they bring people together! At weddings, at birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc. some could be religious events, others might not be. Others might be a religious event being celebrated by non-religious people, but know what? That's fine too.
People having a good time, laughing, rejoicing, knowing that someone has lived another year, been born, been christened, that two people are about to spend the rest of their lives together, that someone's just become a man/woman, that someone's got a new house, whatever the occasion is. Celebrate.
"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."
-Agatha Christie
The way home was less a yellow brick road, more a two mile trek of cycle tracks, chavs and mopeds, however, I was accompanied by another good friend, so made do.
We chatted, discussed the good bits of the night, the awkward bits, the stupid things I'd said, and so on.
I reached my house, awkward man hug goodbye, and to bed I collapsed.
Next morning, and my hangover cure; I spent 45 minutes in the shower, reflecting on the drunken dreams I'd had in the night, and going over events, thinking how she was hot, she wasn't, he was nice, he wasn't, and how "Oh, why did I say that!? And maybe if I'd said that, I'd have been funnier, and maybe she'd have fancied me, actually, wait, I'm not even sure I fancied her, anyway." and so on. You know, normal thoughts one has about the night before...
Somehow though, my head managed to worm it's way round to an old friend of mine who was a Jehovah's Witness.
I remember, him having a birthday, and telling us he didn't celebrate it, because it was part of his religion not to.
As I understand it, Jehovah's Witnesses are a very strict.
Now, obviously, after having such a nice time the night before, the idea of not celebrating a birthday at all, is an alien concept to me. I'm not going to go into the belief side of things, for want of debate or another, I don't know anywhere near enough about the religion. Hell, I'm still not sure whether they're part of Christianity or not...
But I'll just jump straight to my point.
They don't celebrate birthdays!!!!
For a start, as a child, had I been a Jehovah's Witness, I would not have got this:
(Space Precinct. Best show ever. My friend broke the door off. My brother never forgave me...)
I don't understand, how in this world full of misery, and I mean filled up to bursting with hate, murder, rape, peadophillia, war, crime of all sorts, something stops us celebrating birthdays? And Christmas. And Easter.
We need any excuse nowadays to see our friends, our family, to go out and meet new people, not less reasons!
We need any excuse to have a good time.
We need any excuse to show the good side of human nature.
Hell, we need any excuse to show love.
What I love about most religions, most of the time, is that they bring people together! At weddings, at birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc. some could be religious events, others might not be. Others might be a religious event being celebrated by non-religious people, but know what? That's fine too.
People having a good time, laughing, rejoicing, knowing that someone has lived another year, been born, been christened, that two people are about to spend the rest of their lives together, that someone's just become a man/woman, that someone's got a new house, whatever the occasion is. Celebrate.
"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."
-Agatha Christie
Friday, 12 March 2010
BNP
Okay, so, I was on my lunch today, when I read this article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8563044.stm
I’m a bit screwed, as actually, I’m happy it went how it did. Really, it’s for the best. See, Griffin likes to play the victim. He likes to play up the fact people pick on him to win votes. Though he said one smart thing.
“Today is a good day for British democracy”
Nick Griffin, BNP leader
Yep. Well done Nick. You’re right. First time I think I've ever found myself agreeing with the guy. But yes, if we had banned teachers from being in the BNP, we start on the road toward limiting democracy, and then of course, dictatorship, with one guy calling the shots. We can't tell people who they can/can't vote for. Not really.
I know The Police and Prison Officers can't be members of the BNP, but I think I can see/understand that.
However, while I agree with the governments' decision, I don't agree with the BNP's policies and views.
But, they need to exist, they need to have their say.
It's how democracy works.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8563044.stm
I’m a bit screwed, as actually, I’m happy it went how it did. Really, it’s for the best. See, Griffin likes to play the victim. He likes to play up the fact people pick on him to win votes. Though he said one smart thing.
“Today is a good day for British democracy”
Nick Griffin, BNP leader
Yep. Well done Nick. You’re right. First time I think I've ever found myself agreeing with the guy. But yes, if we had banned teachers from being in the BNP, we start on the road toward limiting democracy, and then of course, dictatorship, with one guy calling the shots. We can't tell people who they can/can't vote for. Not really.
I know The Police and Prison Officers can't be members of the BNP, but I think I can see/understand that.
However, while I agree with the governments' decision, I don't agree with the BNP's policies and views.
But, they need to exist, they need to have their say.
It's how democracy works.
Friday, 5 March 2010
Immigration
How comes, the England Football Team Manager isn't English?
Sorry. I'm genuinely not racist. But, I don't understand how we hate the idea of immigrants coming over here and stealing our jobs/women/money/houses etc. when this is clearly one more job that could've been snatched up by a hard working Brit.
Just sayin'...
Edit: Sorry, making the sarcasm clearer for those that might not have got it first time round; Hard working Brit should have been 'hard working Brit,' and I should've really clarified that clearly we aren't sure what does or doesn't define a British citizen anymore. Not that you can really define it, as we're quite happy to emigrate elsewhere, to foreign, hotter countries when we feel the need, but just don't like people coming into 'our' country when it makes things a bit awkward for us.
Sorry. I'm genuinely not racist. But, I don't understand how we hate the idea of immigrants coming over here and stealing our jobs/women/money/houses etc. when this is clearly one more job that could've been snatched up by a hard working Brit.
Just sayin'...
Edit: Sorry, making the sarcasm clearer for those that might not have got it first time round; Hard working Brit should have been 'hard working Brit,' and I should've really clarified that clearly we aren't sure what does or doesn't define a British citizen anymore. Not that you can really define it, as we're quite happy to emigrate elsewhere, to foreign, hotter countries when we feel the need, but just don't like people coming into 'our' country when it makes things a bit awkward for us.
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