Sunday, April 22, 2007
Moving Time
Friday, April 20, 2007
Those that cry are not weak. Cursed are those whose hearts remain hard and eyes dry upon the sight of injustice and oppression.
I can translate for those who do not understand Urdu.
I can translate for those who do not understand Urdu.
Labels: abuse, beggar girls, injustice, oppression
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Frogs in a Well
Last night, I attended my graduation banquet and it was definitely in stark contrast to the high school experience. High school graduation banquet was a fad, a culmination of peer pressure and fear of the unknown. For some, it was to become the most memorable night of their lives while others were just there because an absence would otherwise be treated with open mouth shocks and wide eyed bewilderment for the remaining two weeks of school.
It was a meaningless celebration to commemorate an accomplishment which was anything but. A shiny brand new expensive suit was mandatory, arriving in a limo was a requirement as if Palestine had been conquered, and of course, most felt it was their rightful duty to be completely wasted by midnight. A date was considered fashionable but going with friends was still respectable. Better not to come than commit the gravest of sins -- going alone.
We were frogs in a well for whom the world didn't exist outside the hollow circular walls, barriers so weak they were almost imaginary. Self imposed shackles of ideals paper thin, myopic and of little substance. Its been five long years and an even longer path to where I stand now. I don't refer to the university degree for it's just a piece of paper that does little to define a person.
Last night, I wore the same suit I've had for five years and with my sister, we headed off to the banquet in a car that would have been unthinkable if I was still inside the well.
It was a meaningless celebration to commemorate an accomplishment which was anything but. A shiny brand new expensive suit was mandatory, arriving in a limo was a requirement as if Palestine had been conquered, and of course, most felt it was their rightful duty to be completely wasted by midnight. A date was considered fashionable but going with friends was still respectable. Better not to come than commit the gravest of sins -- going alone.
We were frogs in a well for whom the world didn't exist outside the hollow circular walls, barriers so weak they were almost imaginary. Self imposed shackles of ideals paper thin, myopic and of little substance. Its been five long years and an even longer path to where I stand now. I don't refer to the university degree for it's just a piece of paper that does little to define a person.
Last night, I wore the same suit I've had for five years and with my sister, we headed off to the banquet in a car that would have been unthinkable if I was still inside the well.
Labels: banquet, graduation, high school, university