Construction Pano.
Ta-cos Pano.
Homework done.
Skylines on skylines on skylines.
Rant.
In class yesterday we begun talking about the subjugation inflicted onto Americans, firstly immigrants, throughout the 20th century, “This is America, love it or leave it.”
As my professor started his lecture on patriotic organizations, such at the Boy Scouts and Rotary Club, he prefaced his thesis by explaining that these groups were set into place by capitalists to form young minds to succumb to the status quo and the “American” way. As the discussion progressed, the main example to better clarify his point was the aforementioned ignorant quote. What the class thought would be a transitioning period, a guy in the back raised his voice and said, “I believe it should be said more often.” Simultaneously, the class went silent in what seemed a state of shock and apprehension. I look to my left across the room to him, it begins to baffle me, or more so, HE begins to baffle me. This is announced from a man, not even 22 years old, with a lingering, undecipherable accent and the quite obvious physique of a second, if not first, generation immigrant. Our professor yields, but decides to open up the class for discussion. As he is asking this student why he feels the way he does, his only response was, “Well, I mean, look at the Pakistans. They come over here and hate it, if you hate it so much then why don’t you go back to Pakistan?” I quietly whisper to myself, “Because it’s Pakistan…”
The students finally were able to collect their thoughts and take a collective deep breath. One man turns around to the outspoken student and asks, “Well isn’t there anything YOU don’t like about this country?” He replies, but this time with no conviction. He agrees there are things he does not like, but admits there are more things that he does like. Still baffled, I look at my professor and realize he has the same look of trepidation and confusion. A few more students chime in, mention the Bill of Rights what have you. I’m prompted by a look from my professor to say something. At the time the only thing I could think to say was, “We were given the rights to vote and to choose who we want to put into place to make the best decisions for us, collectively. If we have that right, we should have the right to disagree and take responsibility away from those people as we see fit.”
Now, as I’m researching, I cannot stop thinking about this discussion. Was this said out of ignorance? Was it said because he is constantly trying to have the differing opinion? Or does he truly believe in his argument?
“This is America, love it or leave it” is one of the most insulting phrases an American citizen could have directed at their intelligence. It is a way for the political and economic elite to maintain a notion that they are the ones in power and it doesn’t matter what the public has to say. I know many people believe their voice, their vote doesn’t matter, but it is so wrong… We all have the right to fight back against unfairness, inequality, and to fight for a greater quality of life. Remember that little saying that’s part of the Declaration of Independence, “the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness?” under the section of unalienable rights. It’s important to remember these fundamentally American things. These are things that no capitalist and no fear-mongering “patriot” can take away from an American citizen.
Des devoirs avec biere.
The season is dying down, and now I have time to resurrect this little thing.
This slow, archaic machine is the bane of my existence. (Taken with instagram)
