So much to lose, and all we can do now is wait, but don’t be afraid.
The water's still rising, but here we'll be safe from the wind and rain.
All I ask is that you keep holding on,
And please don't forget me just 'cause I'm gone--
Yesterday we had it all.
Be strong and take heart and tell me you'll never let go
All we have left is each other, a promise, and hope.
So far to go, and I know it feels like sometimes we won't last the night.
It's hard to keep smiling, but focus your eyes on fields and skies.
Take my hand and continue pressing on,
And please don't disagree just 'cause I'm wrong--
Yesterday we had it all.
Be strong and take heart and tell me you'll never let go
All we have left is each other, a promise, and hope.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
I Choose to be Myself
The door opens and in marches Mr. Bernard, my government teacher.
“Today we will be discussing the controversial issue of abortion,” he immediately announces. Crap. “What are the pros? What are the cons? What are your own personal opinions, and why do you believe what you believe? This is a class discussion and EVERYONE must participate.” Wow, he is really trying to win the Least-liked Teacher Award from me. Why does Mr. Bernard always feel the need to poll the audience, as if he really does care about what we think? Now he’s going down the rows, forcing each student to speak what is on his or her mind. Non-committal grunts are not satisfactory for this teacher. No, he expects a coherent reply from each student. From this, I gather that all my peers are either Democratically-minded or too scared to go against the Democrats. Oh goodness, this doesn’t bode well for me….
“Olivia, let’s hear what you have to say on the subject of abortion.” Oh no, is it really my turn? What should I do? Should I tell everybody my true opinion, what I actually believe? Well, what if I get ridiculed or judged by the teacher and my fellow classmates? Maybe I should just go along with the rest of the class and say pro-choice is the way to go, even though I’m a strong believer in outlawing abortions. My stance has always been and will always be pro-life. Why can’t I just say that in front of all these people? At least I have the freedom to proclaim my own opinion. I won’t be thrown in jail or killed for declaring my beliefs in this nation, something which cannot be said for other countries. I thoroughly appreciate this liberty, so why can’t I exercise it in a simple class discussion? Why am I not more outspoken? Now everyone is staring at me, waiting for my response. My stomach starts to churn, and my palms turn clammy as I grip the edge of the desk while my morality and my timidity war with each other inside.
“Well, Ms. Williams?” demands Mr. Bernard. Just say it. Just be yourself, Olivia.
“Um, well, Mr. Bernard, I believe that abortion should be abolished.” There, I said it. I cannot take back the words now.
“Really? Why do you take this stand?”
“I’ve grown up in church all my life, and the preacher has always taught the congregation that murder in any form, including abortion, is a sin. Add that to being raised around Republicans, and you get me, a firm believer in pro-life.”
“So what you’re saying is that you let others dictate what you believe. What ignorance!” retorts Darrell, the arrogant soccer player slouching smugly in the seat to the right of me.
Glaring at him, I state, “No, I do not. Just because I’m taught something doesn’t mean I blindly believe it. I’ve done research on abortions and have found out that the baby’s heart starts beating after eighteen days and that by the sixth week the brain starts functioning. In my opinion, a beating heart equals a life. Women usually have an abortion six to ten weeks into the pregnancy, so they’re actually killing a living being. Therefore, it’s murder and a sin. Now do you believe I let people control my beliefs, Darrell?”
Darrell just scowls and turns away from me, his bruised pride apparent on his face. Wow, I cannot believe I just disputed with the most popular guy in school and won! I look back at Mr. Bernard and wonder what he thought about my speech. He has a slight grin on his face as he says, “Thank you, Ms. Williams. All right, what about you, Angie?”
I sit in shock for the duration of the class period, astounded by my own courage for standing up for my values. Did I really just assert myself in public? Is this a dream? But no, it cannot be, because the bell shrieks, ending the class. As I lug my backpack through the aisle towards the door, Mr. Bernard pulls me aside.
“I just want to say I’m proud that you said what you said. I’m certain that a few of the kids in here were encouraged by your bravery not to conform to the rest of the class’s viewpoint. Also, don’t ever be afraid to have your own personal opinion. We were given free will for a reason.” He gently pats my arm and turns back to his desk, and I exit the room, dumbfounded, yet filled with a sense of pride for my actions. Yes, I do have free will; yes, I will exercise that freedom; yes, I choose to have my own opinion, and yes, I am proud to proclaim boldly that I will be different if I am called to be.
“Today we will be discussing the controversial issue of abortion,” he immediately announces. Crap. “What are the pros? What are the cons? What are your own personal opinions, and why do you believe what you believe? This is a class discussion and EVERYONE must participate.” Wow, he is really trying to win the Least-liked Teacher Award from me. Why does Mr. Bernard always feel the need to poll the audience, as if he really does care about what we think? Now he’s going down the rows, forcing each student to speak what is on his or her mind. Non-committal grunts are not satisfactory for this teacher. No, he expects a coherent reply from each student. From this, I gather that all my peers are either Democratically-minded or too scared to go against the Democrats. Oh goodness, this doesn’t bode well for me….
“Olivia, let’s hear what you have to say on the subject of abortion.” Oh no, is it really my turn? What should I do? Should I tell everybody my true opinion, what I actually believe? Well, what if I get ridiculed or judged by the teacher and my fellow classmates? Maybe I should just go along with the rest of the class and say pro-choice is the way to go, even though I’m a strong believer in outlawing abortions. My stance has always been and will always be pro-life. Why can’t I just say that in front of all these people? At least I have the freedom to proclaim my own opinion. I won’t be thrown in jail or killed for declaring my beliefs in this nation, something which cannot be said for other countries. I thoroughly appreciate this liberty, so why can’t I exercise it in a simple class discussion? Why am I not more outspoken? Now everyone is staring at me, waiting for my response. My stomach starts to churn, and my palms turn clammy as I grip the edge of the desk while my morality and my timidity war with each other inside.
“Well, Ms. Williams?” demands Mr. Bernard. Just say it. Just be yourself, Olivia.
“Um, well, Mr. Bernard, I believe that abortion should be abolished.” There, I said it. I cannot take back the words now.
“Really? Why do you take this stand?”
“I’ve grown up in church all my life, and the preacher has always taught the congregation that murder in any form, including abortion, is a sin. Add that to being raised around Republicans, and you get me, a firm believer in pro-life.”
“So what you’re saying is that you let others dictate what you believe. What ignorance!” retorts Darrell, the arrogant soccer player slouching smugly in the seat to the right of me.
Glaring at him, I state, “No, I do not. Just because I’m taught something doesn’t mean I blindly believe it. I’ve done research on abortions and have found out that the baby’s heart starts beating after eighteen days and that by the sixth week the brain starts functioning. In my opinion, a beating heart equals a life. Women usually have an abortion six to ten weeks into the pregnancy, so they’re actually killing a living being. Therefore, it’s murder and a sin. Now do you believe I let people control my beliefs, Darrell?”
Darrell just scowls and turns away from me, his bruised pride apparent on his face. Wow, I cannot believe I just disputed with the most popular guy in school and won! I look back at Mr. Bernard and wonder what he thought about my speech. He has a slight grin on his face as he says, “Thank you, Ms. Williams. All right, what about you, Angie?”
I sit in shock for the duration of the class period, astounded by my own courage for standing up for my values. Did I really just assert myself in public? Is this a dream? But no, it cannot be, because the bell shrieks, ending the class. As I lug my backpack through the aisle towards the door, Mr. Bernard pulls me aside.
“I just want to say I’m proud that you said what you said. I’m certain that a few of the kids in here were encouraged by your bravery not to conform to the rest of the class’s viewpoint. Also, don’t ever be afraid to have your own personal opinion. We were given free will for a reason.” He gently pats my arm and turns back to his desk, and I exit the room, dumbfounded, yet filled with a sense of pride for my actions. Yes, I do have free will; yes, I will exercise that freedom; yes, I choose to have my own opinion, and yes, I am proud to proclaim boldly that I will be different if I am called to be.
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