TRIGGER WARNING: This post is about to be political, if you can not handle someone's opinion that doesn't agree with yours, please just stop reading now and have a great day. You have been warned. Now that I have done my unnecessary duty of warning the easily offended, let us begin:
Racism, sexism, cultural appropriation.. All of these things exist, and they are terrible and need to be stopped. The issue? We as humans have thoughts, ideas and morals that are different from others. So how do we live with these other people who don't totally agree with everything we think, say and do? Well folks, I have the answer! Ready for this? We can all try MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS. Yes, you read that right. In this article, I'll explain just how minding your own business and not worrying about what other people think can help make your world, and the whole world a better place. Fasten your seatbelts friends, and let my soapboxing begin.
First and foremost, why is this even an issue!? Minding your own business seems so so simple, so why is it so hard for everyone!? Someone doesn't like you? That's ok. You don't like someone? Also ok. You don't agree with someone's actions/opinions/tattoos/clothing and they don't agree with yours? Guess what, THAT IS OK! If we would all quit trying to make people feel a certain way just because we think it's wrong for whatever reason, the world would be a much better place. The greatest part about America is that it's this huge melting pot of all the world's cultures, ethnicities and religious views. And we have truly lost sight of that, causing an uproar not only in this great country, but all around the world as well. That is the real shame here.
Let's break this down. It's really simple. We need to stop caring so much about what other people are doing and why they are doing it and just live our best lives.
I'm never going to understand the people, who are usually young white men and women mind you, telling me that I shouldn't wear a certain outfit because it could potentially be offensive to someone else. I won't understand someone coming up to me telling me to cover up my tattoo (it's a Mexican day of the dead girl with a native American head dress) because it's cultural appropriation and they have to speak up for the minorities that I may be offending because they don't have a voice. What? If these people don't have a voice, then how do you know that my Nelson Mandela shirt is offending someone? Why? Because I'm white? That means I can't appreciate Nelson Mandela and want to wear a shirt with his face on it? Why is that something that society has led us to believe? That's the problem with people today, we are too busy inserting ourselves into other people's thoughts and feelings, that we honestly know nothing about, instead of worrying about ourselves and making our own lives better.
How do you know that I'm not both Mexican and native American? You don't. How is it cultural appropriation to have a tattoo of 2 of your own cultures blended together into one beautiful piece of art that you paid for? It isn't. And even if I didn't have an ounce of native American or Mexican heritage, I thought the 2 cultures we're absolutely beautiful and wanted to showcase them on my body for the rest of my life. What is so bad about that? I'll tell you, nothing. Nothing at all.
America is supposed to be the "Melting Pot" of the world. A place where all cultures can live together in peace. Land of the Free. So why is everyone so offended all of a sudden? Why do people have to stand up for other races because of the possibility that they may one day in the future be offended? What gives you the right to "stand up for people who don't have a voice" when you don't even know what the specific hypothetical person actually thinks?? Maybe you're putting words in their mouth. Why isn't that possibly offensive? Now that my rant is over and I am hoping I made my point, let's move on to the real bad guys. The real problem in today's overly sensitive society.. The media....
The media has portrayed Americans as these insensitive monsters because we have other cultures on our clothing, skin, etc. My question is why should we care what other people are wearing, have tattooed on their skin or even talk about?? Why is anyone on Earth worried about my tattoo? Or what shirt I've decided to wear that day? How silly is it to be so worried about what other people are doing that we think we need to dictate what they wear or put on their own skin with THEIR OWN MONEY! For example, I've had my tattoo for over 3 years and the ONLY people that have ever had a problem with it were white people. Not one Hispanic or native American person has ever said anything but nice things about it. Complimenting it, in fact. So why is the 22 year old white girl telling me it's offensive to have this tattoo? (Rhetorical question, and an eye roll for special effect.)
Now, of course there are exceptions and those can be taken care of as the situation arises. Myaim point, the media is trying to portray certain races as evil, and people buy into it every time!! First, it was all Muslims, then Mexicans, then it was broadened to all Hispanics, then black people, and now white people. If everyone would stop listening to the news, and I say news lightly because most of what is reported on the news is twisted to fit whatever political agenda they want, and just mind their own business, the world would be a better place. Would there still be terrible people out there? Absolutely. Will there still be saints? Sure. But each person can go back to being judged on their actions instead of their skin color, gender, age, sexual orientation, or whatever they decide to do with their own skin..
I'll wrap this up, mind ya business, and watch your world become instantly a more enjoyable place to live.
XOXO,
JB
