Reflections of America

Reading What is the What? is very eye-opening. I don't think many Americans can fathom the troubles of Valentino and the Dinka people. So far, he has seen family, friends and animals killed. He has lost his mom, dad and many loved ones. He is separated from humanity by a group of soulless individuals who ignite the rebellions. Everyday, Valentino watches herds of Arabs ride into Marial Bai and destroy it pillaging and raping the village of all it has. He has become a loner and does not know what groups to trust. He has seen many fall due to ignorance. Safety is not numbers...safety is running. The smaller the group, the safer.

And now, I sit here and think about my day today.

-I bitched because I went to work at 5:45AM. At least I have a job.
-I bitched because my I don't feel well. Really, I could have made it and stayed at work until close.
-I bitched because someone walked in the road in front of me while driving. Welcome to Howard Street-get over it.
-I bitched because I couldn't find parking. At least I have transit and can also rely on public transit.
-I bitched because I didn't eat. My God. Food abounds and I think of all the shit I eat sometimes and don't even think about it.
-And, late last night, I bitched because I couldn't finish reading a book in a week. Oh wow. At least I can read and write, work, attend school and enjoy life.

I have a home. I have a family that loves me. I have friends I love, although I don't get to see them often or express it often enough. I am doing well in school and have great prospects of getting into another grad program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne for Library Sciences. I have money (thank you tax refund). I have a chinchilla to keep me company. I have books and music and a bed and clean water and food at my disposal and a gym and a great set of jobs and live in the greatest city in the nation. I have gotten so pessimistic lately and need to let it go. I have made wonderful friends and gotten to do some really cool stuff...but I still have the want and this need for more mindless entertainment and things that can be satiated, but over time. NOW, NOW, NOW.

America is like this. We are so greedy and so selfish, myself included. Multi-million dollar job-why can't I be making more? I have seven cars...I wish I could have eight...blah blah blah. We are mindless and fat. Valentino can't get food on the run. I can run to Subway until 11pM every night and Dominick's til 1AM and God knows Wal-Mart all NIGHT. What is the problem?

Health care, health care, health care...at least we can have access to insurance to provide us with a little. Welfare, welfare, welfare...we can milk the system. Taxes, taxes, taxes...we at least have income to have taxes taken from us AND we get refunds (well a lot of us).

I love the fact that I am from the United States. Yeah, we aren't in the greatest position or situation right now, but we are trying to move forward. A lot has happened to the world economy...but think of the people like the Dinkas in Sudan. They don't even know how the economy is effected. There is no access to information. But yet, a lot of people live happily with nothing. Money breeds greed.

Valentino is a true hero. Throughout the section I have read today, he has tried to coax Michael into talking to him. He has also recounted some of the story of he and Tabitha, his girlfriend in Sudan, that came to America and settled in Washington State. He has also suffered through the trials of the Dinka.

This should be American required reading. Maybe Ishmael Beah's book should be, as well. We can all learn something.

Sleep well.