Controvercial Issues

As I sit down on this quiet, Sunday evening, I’m struggling to really think of what I would like to post. I have been bombarded with Spanish, Chemistry, and English homework and frankly my mind has not been up for the challenge of creative blogging. So, as a moderately resourceful student, I looked at what you guys have posted to get some ideas. I’ll be honest; I didn’t manage to read everyone’s posts. However, I’ve noticed that some good topics tend to be controversial. So let me start off by stating that I like these topics and I firmly believe that discussion is important for molding views of all sorts.
The issue at hand? Homosexuality. Is it a lifestyle or is it inherent? I honestly can’t say for sure because I have not done credible research, but I do have an opinion.

I personally believe that homosexuals do not have a choice in their sexual preference. I mean, let’s face it. Who honestly chooses to do something that will segregate them and their rights? Homosexuals constantly face negativity in society and the media. They cannot marry in nearly every state except for six in the New England area. So my biggest argument is that people do not choose to be gay because people don’t like to be targeted and discriminated upon. I feel that it is something that a person is born with, and we as a society must accept it as any other social deviant.

Some argue that homosexuality is a lifestyle and that homosexuals simply want to “shock” others for the sake of attention or simply because of failed relationships with the opposite sex. I acknowledge the fact that some people may do this. For example, look at bisexuals. The concept of gender is irrelevant and this makes me question whether or not one can choose their sexual “lifestyle”. However, in general, homosexuals are attracted to the same sex and nothing more. So why can’t people understand this? I am not homosexual, but I feel that they are equally deserving of marriage rights as anyone else. Who am I to tell a same-sex couple that they cannot love each other and be married happily? I’m not.

I think that our generation as a whole tends to be more accepting of issues such as homosexuality and racial integration. However, not everyone is accepting, especially the previous generations who have written laws regarding same-sex marriage. The bottom line is, all men are created equal and are/should be entitled to equal human rights. Let us embrace rather than hate, for it will only improve life on Earth as we know it.

A New Experience

Firstly, I would like to say that this is my first blog entry. The ability to write about nearly anything, on the Internet, without limitation is interesting. It is a new experience and I plan on making the most of it. My title reflects my desire to document how different experiences or events change or enhance my perspective on things.

As a freshman I feel like I am forming an identity and my perspectives are changing. This weekend I took a trip to Guilford College in Greensboro. I had to attend a collegiate refereeing workshop in Greensboro, so I took the opportunity to visit and stay with my good friend from high school. For those of you who don't know, Guilford is a small, private college in Greensboro, NC. Before leaving on Friday afternoon, I was excited to see what it would be like at another college campus. I love UNC and I was anxious to see how Guilford would compare.

I've been on Guilford's campus once before while traveling to the coast. The campus was conveniently on our way and my friend Morgan wanted to show me his future campus. Guilford is a quaint, peaceful school. The quad is picturesque with beautiful trees and attractive landscaping. The buildings are very suitable for the campus style, and the quad looks comparable to that of Chapel Hill's campus. However, I must say that I would not be able to go to school there. Guilford has a small student population, about 2,000. At first I thought this would be a good thing, for visiting purposes. My host knows a lot of people and I was introduced to many of them. Yet, as my trip progressed, I realized some things about life and college. First, parental influence is huge in terms of student development. Most of the kids that I met, aside from Morgan's good friends, were quite apathetic about Guilford and there studies in general. And I'll be honest, I don't love studying all the time, but I do care and it is of high importance to myself and my future. Also, because of this general observed apathy, I noticed a bunch of students engaging in destructive behavior toward their campus. Students pulled light poles down, threw stones at windows, and even urinated in stairwells and water fountains. Honestly I was in shock about the last two, and the other behaviors were definitely unexpected. When this happened, I talked to some of the kids and they asked me if I did similar things to my campus. I simply replied, "well, back at my school we actually like it there and don't do things like this". I guess to tie it all together, I realized how influential a person's background at home determines how they act outside of their home, especially at school. Also, it was somewhat eye-opening to see people destroy what their parents were investing in for their future. It was discouraging but at the same time it made me appreciate where I am now, as cliche as it may sound it is true.