It is vital that I remain as detached from society as possible. Or at least the many parts I dislike. I cannot let myself get sucked into a commercial-driven television series, or wear those beaded bracelets like all the Blink 182 fans. I won't post countless pictures of myself puckering in the bathroom. I won't be afraid of our government, or believe everything it tells us without questioning. I won't adopt trends or fads to buy my way into fitting in. I won't drink alcohol like everyone else.
I will do my best to think, to evaluate, to practice moderation. I will be honest but kind. I will not be fat, and eat whenever I wish while thousands die each day. I will be fair.
Why am I saying things like this? I'm trying to better myself. Just think if everyone tried to better themselves, truly. If everyone read opposing viewpoints and actually thought about them with open minds. If people didn't follow leaders like sheep. If people detached themselves from trivial things that lead them. If people cared for one another all the time. If they didn't drink alcohol so much, or stuff themselves to the point of wearing clothes labeled 4XL. What if every person recycled, gave to charity, waved and smiled to their neighbors and strangers alike? Wouldn't it be nice if old, rich White men cared about Black babies? Everyone has an impact on everyone else, you know. If those old white men think black children don't affect them, they're dead wrong, perhaps literally.
During senior year, Andrew and Taylor hung out a lot and never invited me over. That was all right, though, because everyone said they did little but drink. I've never drank and I plan to stay free of alcohol, so, as I said, I didn't care; I wasn't missing anything.
I dislike the way most people are. Sometimes I feel misanthropic. Members of this society seem focused only on themselves. I hate walking through Wal-Mart or malls especially because this becomes painfully apparent. I have to educate myself and try to remain free of society's horrible influence. I will not listen to their radio. I will not watch whatever happens to be the most popular television shows at any particular time. I won't comb my hair a specific way because it's the new fashion trend. I won't wear Abercrombie or clothes from Pacific Sunwear. I won't be a billboard. I will never wear sunglasses. My body will remain free of tattoos and piercings. My lungs will stay clean and devoid of tar. My brain won't be poisoned by any form of drinking alcohol. My stomach won't be filled with fast food. I will be 'boring' and happy. I won't be synthetic. I won't be molded by a greedy congregation of foreign hands.
It's impossible to escape, I know. I'll always be a part of society. But, I can do my best to live as I want—as independent of their influences as possible. I live in the United States, but I do not want to be a representative of it. Or at least not a representative of its awful characteristics (which are most well known and hardly forgotten). Sometimes I feel like I hate this country. Not the country itself, I suppose, just the corrupt politicians; the rich, fat men who control the economy; and every hypocritical church-goer, teacher, and authority figure.
For the patriots: This society is a free one, yes, but other than that, it's not so grand. Yes, that is a very big deal—freedom—our main seeling point. As citizens of this nation we are able to do and say what we want. But, look at our history. We wiped out the native Americans and enslaved Africans. Suppressed women and minorities. We took, took, took. We lived and live in excess. Don't feel bad about it, though. It's seems human nature almost. That makes me sad.
Patriotism isn't the best thing for us. It unites the United States, but doesn't do a thing for the world. Our patriotism is a bad sort. It's the greedy kind of self-love that assumes the worst about the rest of the world; proclaims our views as eternally superior and right; and prevents us from helping. This is bad. The world is shrinking, and we need to adjust our lives—our consumerism, thoughts about ourselves and the rest of the world, our relationship with other nations, and so many other things including stereotypes, economics, weapons, pollution, culture, etc. Humans are humans. The world is one place. It might not seem that way sometimes, but it is. It is so more now than ever as it contracts with globalization. It might seem far-fetched right now, but it is possible that we will have one language eventually. Yeah, other languages won't die out; I just mean that English will probably be used by a great majority of people the world over as we continue to become more intertwined.
My point is that we need to open our eyes and look beyond ourselves. America is great when compared to other places, but it can be a lot better. Truly great people are wise, selfless, honest, forgiving, and helpful. If Americans want themselves to be remembered as best they can be, then they should strive for qualities such as these. Tyrants and ruthless agitators are remembered most, but who is remembered best? The merciful, the helpful, the kind and loving. Let these be our goal. Let's try for love.
