this post would be cooler if it was written on recycled paper.

There is much to say and it always seems as if someone else says it better than I do. Tim Lambesis, for instance. He's the lead vocalist/lyricist for As I Lay Dying. I've been reading his lyrics and blog for the past thirty minutes and it seems as if Jesus likes to drop the same messages in our mailboxes. Here is an example: "Some people argue that fundamentalist Christians take the Bible too literally and that makes them exclusivist jerks. I would argue that most fundamentalists don't take the Bible literally enough, and that is why everyone thinks they're jerks. If not one single fundamentalist stored for himself riches and instead lived his life in service of the poor and oppressed, then I don't think anyone could really hate them for what they believe.In fact, if I'm allowed to define what I mean by the term fundamentalist, then I hope to be one someday; someone takes action as a result of believing in the literal truth of what Jesus said." (from his blog). Wowsers. And he consistently talks about giving to the poor and sacrificial love and all this amazing stuff that is so true. He's so concise, yet he perfectly gets his point across.

So, racism has come up a lot this week. We've been learning about the civil rights movement in my history class. I used to think it was an amazing movement (and I have to say that I admire the fact that they took strong action based on how passionate they were) but wow, I never realized how truly bad it was. I mean, let's start at the beginning. Slavery. Black slave owners in Africa sent their black slaves to us. The white plantation owners needed workers. They paid for them and got them. A few of the Africans were treated poorly. People of both races were against slavery. People of both races supported slavery. White folks fought a civil war that eventually turned into a fight about whether or not people should own slaves. White people gave their lives to free slaves. They became free and were given the opportunity to go back to Africa. Some did, but a lot of them didn't. Why? Could it be that conditions in America -even under slavery- were better than conditions in Africa? White people probably wanted them to go back. The slaves didn't belong here. They were merely slaves. This was the white man's land. And what gave the slaves the idea that they were going to become citizens? Whites didn't treat them as equals. Blacks didn't treat whites as equals. Discrimination went on for hundreds of years. Then the 1960s came. There was segregation. People didn't like that. Blacks were violent. Whites were violent. People died. Laws were passed. Yay, everybody's equal. Whatever. A lot of black people believe we are indebted to them because of slavery. A lot of whites believe we are indebted to blacks because of slavery. However, I think we are far more enslaved today than back then. I'm enslaved to being ruled by a President who was only elected because he's black. I'm enslaved to quotas. I'm enslaved to going to black doctors who only got into med school because they're black. My parents are enslaved to paying taxes that go to blacks so they can get Cadillacs, satellites, and drugs. So let's be color-blind. Let's remember that there is only one race: the human race.

(Yeah, right.)

So, elections got pushed until Monday. Everyone has been been using Facebook as a platform to get votes. How mature.

Ah, 4 weeks till Summer! I'm having such a hard time staying focused on and committed to my studies. Four weeks. I can make it. ha.

There's this fair type thing in my town called Spring fest. I'm so sick of hearing about it. I've heard dozens of conversations about it this week. I'm going to feel like such a conformist if I go. That's one of the downsides of being a teenager; you're rarely alone. I used to think it was a good thing but I'm so sick of being like everyone else and being able to relate to them. Well, maybe not everyone, but there are certainly a few people I'd rather not be able to relate to. Like this insanely hypocritical girl I know. She talks about God all the time which would be a beautiful thing, but she is one of the jerkiest people I know. Her face often pops into my mind when I read verses about staying away from the wicked. Will I ever learn to love everyone? I doubt it. People are so weird and insane. Although there is a guy I know who has really stepped up to the plate lately. He's really taking God seriously and being a leader. I don't think guys realize how much they affect girls when it comes to God.

Anywho, Earth Day was Wednesday! Have I ever openly expressed my love for recycled paper? I don't believe I have. I'm not really an environmentalist at all but that type of paper is just wonderful. I love to write on it. Haha.

Well, that's basically all I have to say.

Much love,
Marissa :)