Multicultural Festival

Every year in Kitchener, Ontario there is a multicultural festival. There are local performers, food from around the world, jewellery stands, clothing stands, etc. Two of my favourite parts about this festival are the Native section and the Unlearn organization. The Native section is full of dancing, drums, henna tattoos, food and song. It is so inspirational to see. It helps with understanding nature and being one with yourself. It is calming and exciting all in one. The Unlearn organization is also one of my favourite stands due to the encouragement from it. Unlearn is all about inspiring positive change in life. They have a clothing brand with different sayings on it and pictures too. This festival has changed my life. It have brought to my attention not only entertainment but inspiration and encouragement. It has brought me closer to nature and has made me want to try new things and meet new people.

Bath Salts

There is a new lethal drug called Bath Salts. It is compared to part cocaine and part amphetamine. There was a very dangerous incident in the United States that had to do with this new drug. Two naked men were found fighting on an exit ramp that was extremely busy. The one man would not stop assaulting the other, the cops kept telling him to stop but he turned around and growled at the cop and kept fighting. The cop fired a shot at him once and the man kept going. Many more shots were fired at this man until he died. The victim was then taken to the hospital with almost all of his face eaten off. The attacker was on “bath salts.” This new drug can cause delusion, eight days with no sleep, extreme violence; it is addictive and also causes psychosis. It turns out this drug is spreading through the states, all the way to Nova Scotia. Better watch out for this drug or it could end your life!

Lyrcis

The lyrics in a song can have a huge impact on the person listening to it; it can completely change a person’s mood. If a person is upset and they listen to a "happy" song, it generally makes them feel better. The happy songs generally have lyrics that talk about having a good time with friends, lovers, even just thinking someone is cute. If a person is very angry, listening to a "screamo" song usually helps. The lyrics in screamo talk about ending the world, murdering people, hating everything, etc. It only helps the person who is angry because it says everything that they are feeling. These types of songs were better back in the day because the lyrics were meaningful. Nowadays the lyrics in these songs are all about drugs, alcohol, partying and sex. It is ridiculous and not teaching people the right morals which cause rebelliousness. Lyrics need to go back to the way they used to be when people actually cared about things.

Drag Queens

Drag queens are always discriminated against. People do not understand why there are drag queens. They do not like change nor do they like the way they act. People are always so judgemental towards change. It is not considered normal for a man to want to be a woman. Although there is so much hate towards it, there is also celebrated. One celebration in particular is International Drag Day. “Some people are born to be extraordinary” is their slogan. It is a day for people to accept it, to notice change and to not be afraid of it. There are some films, such as Rocky Horror Picture Show that has many drag queens in it, that shows people the stereotypical side of drag. It shows very promiscuous, loud and proud people. It can be a little much for some people but it can be very inspirational to others. I believe that movie had  great impact on the media and then stereotypes.

Mental Health

People always believe that mental health means you are psycho. If you are depressed, you cut yourself all the time, you dress only in black, you listen to death metal, etc. If you are schizophrenic, you are psychotic, you can't control yourself, you are crazy. If you are anxious, you are jittery, always looking around, paranoid, etc. Some of these characteristics are made up by the media while others are emphasized by it. No high school student truly knows about these disorders unless they are dealing with it or have research it on a medical site. Media is giving us false advertisements about very serious issues. Along with the incorrect information, the media tells us to feel beautiful yet tells us it’s not okay to “have a little extra meat on our bones.” This only starts the depression, makes us feel ugly and worthless. The way I see it is people should accept no matter what. You can’t judge based on body shape, mental disorder, but on the personality and morals. “Walk a mile in my shoes, see what I see, hear what I hear, THEN maybe you’ll understand why I do what I do, ‘till then don’t judge me.”

Music

Over the past while I have noticed that music has been constantly changing. In the past, it used to have such meaning to it. The lyrics were so meaningful and inspirational. It gave you a reason to listen to it. The lyrics now have changed to being about sex, drugs and partying. There’s nothing that can really make you think in these lyrics. Sure, you can relate to them if you do all of that, but what’s the point in all of it? I don’t see why our generation is crazed about drugs, sex and partying. Why dance inappropriate, why do drugs all the time and why party every weekend? Why do we feel the need to be so rebellious? It doesn’t help anyone get anywhere but in trouble. I learned that the hard way but fortunately I got out of it. I didn’t see why I was doing it. I wasn’t being rational. I learned to work hard to get where I need to go.

Why do girls in high school feel the need to dress provocatively? It is degrading. It only gives you confidence due to the fact that guys are staring at you. The guys are looking at your personality, they are looking at your body, they only want that. Why can you not dress respectfully? Is it so hard to wear a shirt that covers your chest? Is it difficult to wear a shirt that's not see through? All you are asking for is attention. Why can you not just be yourself? Are you that uncomfortable being yourself that you have to create a completely different identity? Everyone knows you girls do not actually act this way when you are at home. It is okay to dress comfy for a day or covering up when you put an outfit on. If you want to wear a see through shirt, then put a tang top underneath. No one needs to see that. Just take this advice, respect yourself for once. It is not cool to look this way.

You Know What Really Grinds My Gears

People these days are so judgmental about gays. Gay people are just like you. They get up in the morning, they have their routines, they go to school. Gay people are allowed to fall for the same sex. And just because they like the same sex, does NOT mean they are in love with you. If your best friend tells you she is lesbian, that doesn't mean she has a crush on you. Like get over yourself. People who act like this are clearly self-obsessed. Why make it about you, when it has nothing to do with you. Another thing, people won't accept gay people. They beat them up and make them want to commit suicide. You think you are cool because you tear other people apart? No, you aren't even close. Man up and realize how your actions affect people. GAY PRIDE