Sunday, February 1, 2009

YES


With this new year and new administration, as we all come to believe in "change," I think it is time for the people to be heard. Can you hear me? YES, we can.

I saw this flyer for Cal UNICEF, which is a school organization specifically working with the international children's charity, UNICEF. UNICEF receives donations donations from all around the world, from their annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and the UNICEF Six Cents Initiative. What they do is amazing. The donations are used to provide food, clean water, shelter, school supplies, etc. to children in third world countries, mainly Africa. This flyer was covered with a mass of other flyers from other less "philanthropic" organizations. I saw it, pulled it out, and posted it on the middle of the wall, where people can hear those mean nothing to us, but mean everything to the world.

We are not here alone. We live one this planet with
6,757,841,507 (February 2, 2008 1:19 AM) other people. And their voice is just as important than ours, if not more. Do you remember the last time some homeless person asked you for money, and you just passed them by trying to ignore them? I do. I did it today. But what really does ignoring them solve. Yes, sometimes they can banter nonesense or yell blasphemy in the middle of Sproul Plaza, but they are only human, and we need to recognize that just because they are less fortunate does not mean they should be treated less important than your neighbor.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone has a voice, including you and me. So when that same people banters nonesense or yells blasphemy in the middle of Sproul plaza, let them; they are entitled to it: freedom of speech. Argue with them if you will, but never say that your reason and/or idea (religious or not) is better than the other. That you should never do to anyone. I believe that it is not our right to impose our beliefs on others for the sake of making our lives simpler. You can argue with me, I won't accept your reasoning, frequently. I wish people were more opinionated, or rather myself. We need to be open about our ideas and defend them because our opinions are what make us unique from each other. And our opinions stem from our experiences.

"Speak up America. Speak up!" A line from Legally Blonde 2, which was in fact a well-said speech. Not just America; speak up world. Speak up so the rest of us can hear you. The only way to make this world a better place is only if we can together, in harmony. And to do that, everyone must be heard not matter how small or abnormal. We are all in it together. (Obviously, many allusions to movies) Start a blog and write a blog; tell the world about what you think. And those who are smart enough will listen.

Can you hear me? Yes. Can I hear you? Yes. Yes, we all can.