Changing tires and gender roles

Today I was driving to the bank and called up my dear friend Elizabeth to talk.

A few minutes into our conversation she determined that she had a flat tire. Naturally I asked where she was, since we were headed to about the same place, and I told her I was half a mile away and we could handle it.

As I pulled into the parking spot behind her, it was pretty evident that the tire was, in fact, flat. Now Bob likes cars and while I can't fix a transmission or replace a headlight, I've been known to jump cars and fill up my own windshield wiper fluid (extremely impressive and difficult, I know.) Point being, I've not exactly well versed, but I've been around cars a decent amount.

So I tell Elizabeth to get the jack out of the back of the car, I lay down on the pavement and start to jack it up. Naturally, the little photojournalist herself decided she needed to document my efforts.



A bit later a man and his college-aged son pull up next to us and ask if we need help. We say we're alright but they insist and proceed to take over.

Now as a disclaimer, they were both very nice and helpful.

But when they referred to us as "damsels in distress" I about choked, and had to place my hand over my mouth to keep any unkind words from escaping. We were not in distress, and anyone you ask will tell you I am far from a damsel.

At one point the older man said, "You know what's really phenomenal? You managed to get the jack in the right place!"

Blank stare.


So while they were helpful and kind, this brought about an issue that I've been discussing with my friends and family for the past few weeks: gender discrimination.

I have said in conversations over the past weeks that I have never felt hindered by my gender. My parents always told me I could be whatever I wanted to be, whether that was a dog or the president. I could do it. My mom never made us learn to cook because she didn't want us to think that we had to learn because we were girls. We were never interested, so we didn't learn.

My sisters are an attorney and an accountant/professor. And it never crossed my mind that, being women, they shouldn't be in those positions.

After thinking about it, a couple moments of gender discrimination in my life came to mind.

The summer after my junior year of high school I went to a mission trip to Gulfport, Miss. One day, while working with three other boys to drywall a house that had been damaged during Katrina, I experienced an instance of discrimination.

One of the twenty-something volunteers in our group held one end of a 12-foot piece of drywall, and I held the other. We walked it across the living room, but before putting it down on the ground to then drill it in place, the floor needed to be cleared. Two other boys were standing in the room with us, waiting for us to put down the piece to drill. Basically, they were doing nothing.

The guy on the other end of the drywall looked at me and said, "This needs to be cleared- grab the broom and sweep it up."

I was doing the same job he was. I was holding half the weight of the drywall. The other two boys were doing NOTHING. And I was supposed to do the sweeping?

I opened my mouth and took a deep breath, but before I could say what was really on my mind, one of the other two boys read my mind and said, "I'VE GOT IT!" The culprit had previously shown his chauvinistic self so I knew I wasn't reading into anything, and the other two boys agreed later.

And story number two (or three, but who's counting): The other day the girls in the house next to ours needed jumper cables. One of their boyfriends knocked on my door to see if I had any. I did, and I offered them to him. As I handed them to him I said, "Do you know how to use them?" Which was met with a look of disgust and a "Uhhh....yea." How was I supposed to know? Tons of people don't know how to jump a car.

According to Law.com, in 2005, women accounted for 30% of all lawyers and 32% of all physicians and surgeons. And the numbers are on the rise.

The term "feminist" has a lot of negative connotation to it, but in the sense that we should be exactly equal to men, I recognize with the term.

This is when men like to say, "Then don't expect me to hold the door for you or pay for your dinner." That's fine. For dates: whoever asks, pays. And I open doors for people multiple times a day. Not because of my genitalia, but because it's respectful. I don't need a kiss on the cheek, I'll shake your hand. I don't need someone to lay their coat down over a puddle for me. Lord knows I'm not wearing expensive shoes that I'm afraid to get wet.

In a week and a half I'll have two degrees "handed" to me. Every night studying, every test taken, every article written- I did it. I had men in my classes, and I had women in my classes. Same classes, same tests, same articles. If some day I'm paid less than the man next to me doing the exact same job I will have some choice words to say.

I understand maternity leave adds in another factor, but I wonder how many men could give birth, much less bear responsible, productive citizens of society. Early on, women were made out to be useful for reproductive purposes, and not much else. With the rise of women's education and liberation, I wonder how long it will be til men are reduced to being useful for only manual labor and opening pickle jars.

Christian Carrie

On a lighter and opposite note, the church has brought some good things with it, too. It brings people peace, a sense of community, and has helped people all over the world through missions.

It comes with holidays that bring the family together:








It has also brought music and chilling moments like this:

Consecration and condemnation

This morning I took the test of all tests in my Modern Christian Theology class.

Tuesday I left the same class furious.

As a disclaimer, I understand that every religion, ethnic group and country has its history. This class just happens to be about Christian history.

I've been known to interpret the Bible differently than other people, but to me it seems like Christ's idea for what is now Christianity has not exactly come to fruition.

Not only did the early church add in things like the papacy (based on Peter?), they then held the First Vatican Council and declared him infallible. But that's another story for another day.

If there is one thing that I've learned in this class, it's that religion in fact falls into a category along side ethnic groups and nations. There are hierarchies, there are wars, and there are way too many cases of mistreating their own.

In terms of explaining wars, the term "crusades" should suffice.

The hierarchies of the church are prevalent but not always scripturally based. I can perhaps credit my Protestant upbringing with my idea that a religion should be based on the scripture and words of the holy figure. In realizing that other sects and religions focus more strongly on tradition, the idea of a hierarchy is more accepted. So for the most part we'll leave the hierarchy alone. (I never did understand why another man would need to be the liaison between God and me though.)

So now we've come to mistreating their own.

Again, it is my belief that we all have the same God. So the Turks taking over Constantinople and forcing Islam is almost as baffling to me as Christians killing each other.

Almost.

Let's explore.

-In the 16th century Michael Servetus thought that maybe Catholics shouldn't emphasize the trinity when trying to convert people because it didn't make sense to Jews and Muslims. So he was burned at the stake.
- Henry VIII wanted to get divorced from his barren wife so that he could have an heir with another woman so he started the Anglican church. Then he killed a bunch of Catholics and Lutherans.
- Thomas Cranmer was forced to denounce Protestantism under torture from Queen Mary and then later was executed anyway.
- In 1864 Pope Pius IX issued the Syllabus of Errors that listed 80 things that non-Catholics believed. All of which were condemned by the Catholic church.
- During the French Revolution, anyone who thought that the pope didn't have absolute authority in every nation was killed, including Gallicans, Febronians, and Josephists.
- Even as recent as 1907, Pope Pius X issued lamentabili, a doctrine listing 67 modernist propositions that were condemned.
- In Russian Orthodoxy, the people that didn't agree with reforms, Old Believers or Slavophiles, were then condemned and all killed. Most of them didn't want to be killed though so they committed suicide by lighting themselves on fire.

The list goes on forever. Add in the crusades and the inquisitions and you have a real good time.

Point being, the church has a dirty history.

I can't help but think that if everyone that associated with any church learned this history, they would question their allegiance.

So this is the question: Does declaring loyalty to a denomination or Christianity in general require the acceptance or condonation of its past?

I hope not. And I think not.

The majority of the Christians I know, and dare I say Christians in the world, do not understand the extent that the early church went to in order to "protect" its beliefs and truths. When singing "Jesus Loves Me" and telling stories of the good Samaritan, somehow the bloody past of the religion gets left out.

To me, not knowing about the history does not make them less Christian. I think it's important to question and understand what you are in fact insinuating by stating, "I am a Baptist/Unitarian/Catholic, etc." I also think that people who really question their beliefs and go on a spiritual journey to find the best religion, pick the teachings that speak to them and bring them peace.

The idea of God in a man brings comfort to people, and Jesus brought a lot of hope and peace with him, regardless of his actual divinity. I think it's absolutely acceptable to take that peace and hope for what it is, and leave the church's actions in the past.

I do not think, however, that is is acceptable to take the path of least resistance and blindly choose whatever denomination/religion was chosen for you by your family or society. Discover what's best for you on your own. And if at the end of the day what really does it for you happens to be the same thing that does it for your family, too— then more power to you.

That being said, I think Christians, and people in general, can learn a lesson from the abundant condemnation done by the church already, and think twice before judging others. Originally the papacy may have been thought of as heresy and here the Catholics are with Pope Benedict XVI, number 265.

Society changes. And the church changes with it. Second Vatican Council, anyone?

The basics of Christianity are to love God and love one another. I don't exactly know where "kill those who disagree with you on any issue" is in the Bible, but I haven't quite read it all.

Organized religion is what you make it. As is any form of spirituality. But in labeling yourself as a specific religion or denomination, history comes with it. I hope the free-thinking society we live in today feels welcome to doubt and question the intentions and corruption of any denomination.

But if that denomination is what floats your boat and brings you peace, then don't hold back from pursuing it. Just be aware of the past.

Patience is a virtue.

I have been reminded by a number of parties this weekend that the last time I blogged was April 5th. So here is some music to listen to while you're waiting...

My recent favorites.

No news is good news

Journalism has power.

It has the power to unify a nation behind a cause (9/11), uncover the ugly side of a war (Vietnam), dissolve a presidency (Nixon), and now, bring attention to someone who shouldn't have it.

Last summer, Florida pastor Terry Jones announced he was going to burn a copy of the Qur'an on the anniversary of Sept. 11.

In a tweet.

He started a Facebook group for International Burn a Qur'an Day and claimed it was a book "full of lies."

And the news, stupidly, covered it.

The man is, excuse my language, a dumbass. His church, the Dove World Outreach Center, includes just 50 families. He calls himself a man of god sticking up for Christianity and carrying out the will of god. He seems to have forgotten that we all have the same god. Even if you don't believe in one universal spirit, Islam and Christianity are both Abrahamic religions so they have virtually the same base.

In a time when we're at war, particularly with people of this race and religion, this man decided to stir the pot even more. Again, dumbass.

After worldwide protests and an absurd amount of meetings and negotiations, Jones finally decided to withhold from burning the book.

On Sept. 11, Jones said on the Today Show that his church would never burn a Qur'an.

He lied.

On March 20, he burned a Qur'an live on the Internet. And the news, smartly, didn't cover it. Unfortunately for pretty much everyone, it was already out there, and it was the video seen 'round the world.

Thanks to this extremist dumbnut, violent riots have broken out in Afghanistan, among other countries, where so far 20 people have been killed, seven of which were UN workers.

Twenty people are DEAD because of riots sparked by this man that so ironically calls himself a pastor.

So here's the issue. Is this man, who decided he was going to burn a book, news? Someone originally thought he was, and the story caught on. Unfortunately, people were then interested in him and he gained the attention he craved. The news gave that to him.

I think now, considering the backlash, the media understands that it may have been a mistake to cover this crazed man in the first place.

Also, when 9/11 happened, Americans had to accept that the attackers were extremists, and not typical Muslims; that the terrorists were under the power of bin Laden, and not acting in a way that would represent the general views of Islam.

Now, when the tables have turned, are people abroad accepting that Jones is an extremist, and not an average American or Christian?

I do realize that the two incidents are extremely different, and thousands were killed in 2001, while it was "just a book" that was sacrificed in March. I also realize that it has taken 10 years for Americans to even somewhat accept Islam.

Even furthur, I recognize the irony in the fact that I am giving Terry Jones even more attention. Hopefully the profound amount of people that read my blog are connected to neither Jones nor violent protesters in the Middle East.

The point is, journalism can do good. It can also cause unrest. In order to keep journalistic credibility, all news has to be covered. This one, however, I believe could have gone unreported.

I'm headed to UNC-Chapel Hill next year to continue my study of journalism, and I'm excited for the opportunity to do something with my writing someday. Hopefully causing more good than unrest.



In my Newspaper Management class yesterday we reviewed this article written by my professor. It's similar to what I wrote, just with years and years of journalistic experience behind it.

Also, most of this information came from the Chicago Tribune, mostly this article.

Typ.

At chapter, the panhellenic delegate was trying to encourage us to go to a blood drive they're holding.

To convince us, she used the fact that you burn 600 calories every time you give blood.

The life of a sorostitute.

Like Bob, like daughter

This is a story about an apple that fell from a tree. Not far, might I add.

Tomorrow Mom and Bob are coming to Athens for the annual Parents' Weekend, where my fellow sorostitutes and I will go to a dinner we couldn't otherwise afford and then burn off the calories by laughing at our parents' dance moves.

When discussing with Bob what he should wear to said event, I explained, "Maybe a suit if you want but slacks and a jacket would be fine too."

At which point he responded, "I could wear my tux. If you want to see what 10 pounds of shit looks like in a 5 pound bag, I could wear that for you."


Do we all see now where I get it from?

Cruisin'

I apologize for not writing in a while, I've been extremely busy doing this:



In places like this:



With these wonderful people:









My life is so tough.



Some photo cred to Locher.

Home Alone

I came home to Alpharetta this weekend. And it is very evident that I'm home. So I decided to make a list of things that describe my visits home from college:


- My parents seem to like me a lot more than they ever did when I was in grade school.
- We do whatever I want, and Bob even lets me pick the movie rentals.
- We get to eat my fave foods.
- I get to experience the frequent symphony of Bob and dogs snoring together.
- My mom breaks out the Easter candy early for me.
- My parents refuse to let me sleep until I wake up on my own, insisting that I've been sleeping "foreveerrrrrr" and then list everything they want us to do that day before I've opened my eyes.
- My dogs are happy to see me, and forget that I am home every time I'm out of view so I get greeted with the same enthusiasm every time they see me again.


None of these are bad things, by the way. I feel quite loved when I come home.


Disclaimer: Bob is my biological father. If you've met us in person, this is quite evident. I am most definitely my father's daughter. I called him Dad until about my freshman year of college. I started calling him Bob on the common occasion that he was a pain in the neck. I'd say, with all the respect of a loving, obedient daughter, "Bob. Quit it," or more affectionately, "Bob. You're being a pain in the [neck]." Since his episodes of being a smartass are decently frequent, I began to call him "Bob" more often than "Dad," and now only resort to "Dad" when I have car trouble and need to pull the damsel-in-distress card. It has come up before that calling him "Bob" might come across as him being a step-father, but in fact I'm convinced that I'm about 80% Bob and 20% Mom. There is zero suspicion of the milkman.

Happiness Just Because.

Here are some things that are making me happy these days. In no particular order or genre.

This article. Some things are way out of my lifestyle and some things hit home. I wonder what I will have wanted to tell my now-self in 20 years.

This video. After watching this, I have this song in my head constantly. You can skip the first 1:45. The jist is that the woman and man are battling to see who can sing higher.



This game. It calms me and makes me think of my wonderful friend AK who, while she no longer lives here, I can still picture her sitting next to me on the couch playing it.

This song. It's been said that this song is going to be the anthem of our generation. A generation that accepts all and bullies none. High hopes, but Gaga did her part. And I like this little girl's version better than the actual Lady Gaga one.



This picture. I've had a girl crush on this girl for almost four years now and I'm glad it's one friendship I haven't let fizzle out.



This quote. From my favorite Sufi Muslim woman who I traveled through Morocco with and who recently came to my feminist spirituality class to speak.

"There are as many religions as there are people on this earth."

This bathing suit. 1-It reminds me that spring break is TWO weeks away. 2- It makes me think I could look like her if I wore it. 3- It's coral. As close as I'll get to ever buying anything pink and one of my darling sister Ashley's favorite colors.

This memory. When the world seems like a wonderful place and I'm happy to be living in it.

Employment before Engagement

Our school newspaper is the Red & Black. I've tried to send in articles in hopes of being published but had no luck.

This semester I'm in a class with the new editor-in-chief, a friend of mine that I've had about four classes with. One day before class, I jokingly said, "I like your paper, Mimi, but I found some mistakes."

At which point she responded, "Really? Where?"

I said I was just teasing her but still showed her the two places I found mistakes. At which point she said, "Well, wanna come be a copy editor for us?"

Which is when I realized that maybe it pays to be a wiseass.

So at least once a week I head up to the old R&B and check out the paper before it heads to print. It's a very cool atmosphere and I'm excited about the experience I'm getting.

Anyways, it a moment of giddiness, I checked out the "Our Staff" section at the bottom of page 4 and came across this gem:



See that name after "Copy Editors"? Tis mine.

You can also see it here on the online site.

I'm proud. Can you tell?

So, in my pride, I sent the link to my family. And got this video from Lisa in return.

I can see myself instilling that in my kids. Guess I'm marriage ready? Oh haaayyyyllllll naw.

Hell or Higher Power

My roommate Meagan doesn't think I'm going to hell.

Now, this may seem like a normal thing for friends to think about each other, but Meagan was born, raised and schooled pretty conservatively Christian.

As I've learned and grown in my beliefs, it's very clear that I don't recognize with any one organized religion. One of my favorite quotes of all time is C.K. Chesterton: "Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair." And that's what it is to me.

Point being, a large majority of my friends are strong Christians, many of whom even went to Christian high schools. And I love to discuss religion with them, hence my major. I'll talk to anyone about it.

But I learned early on that not everyone is receptive to non-traditional beliefs. I've been called a heathen, told I'm going to hell, asked if I was kidding when I said I wasn't Christian, and even received a 12-page letter from a good friend of mine explaining why God disapproves of my beliefs and choices.

Now for the SparkNotes version, I believe in God. God and I hang out. We're besties. I think pretty much everything can be contributed to God so the details don't really concern me.

That being said, I talk to my roommates and some friends about God openly, and it's evident to them that God and I have a relationship.

Meagan and I had a long talk the other day. After being taught her whole life that Jesus is the only way to heaven, she's confused as to what's going to happen to me. I've never been too concerned about it, I'll trust that God knows what he's doing.

Plus, there's no point worrying about the afterlife cause we're not going to know if we're right til we die. And then we're dead. Or in hell. Or heaven. Or purgatory. Or swimming around in a giant midnight truffle blizzard from DQ.

Anyways, Meagan (and a lot of my friends) aren't used to questioning the beliefs they grew up with.

If there is one thing that I have constantly been taught and put into practice, it's to question. Question everything. My parents always taught me that sometimes the teacher ISN'T right. And that no one actually knows all the answers. Yes, even them. This was never an excuse to be rude to anyone, but I was always pushed to question.

In my mind, there is nothing more important to question than religion. It is the core of billions of people, shapes cultures and is used as a scapegoat for war. It is a huge part of the reason homosexuality has such a stigma, and it causes unnecessary rifts between people that could otherwise learn from each other.

I've learned that many people don't understand the texts they're taught to live by and that many people haven't actually studied any other religion but their own.

Now, this isn't meant to be a rap on religion in general. If someone has studied and thought deeply about everything they've been taught, and at the end of the day honestly believes in the truth of it, then more power to them. I'm not saying I'm right and I'm not saying anyone else is wrong. Because, quite frankly, how are we gonna prove it?

All I know, is I believe what I believe because I've questioned every aspect of it, and what I'm left with is what I can't shake. Things that I haven't lost faith in after four years of religion classes.

I believe my God wants me to question everything. He wants me to get angry, ask why, feel lost, and at the end of the day, come back to him and say, "Yea, you were right."

Now I'm in no way an expert on anything religion. Not sure anyone really is. But if I have one piece of advice that I can offer, it's to question. If anything, it'll make you stronger in the things you really believe, and I promise you won't be left empty handed.