"Are you Chinese or Japanese?" "Neither." "STOP LYING YOU ASIAN."

Dear Diary,

 

            Today I got called “Asian”. The proper term should be Korean. Just because Korea is located in Asia doesn’t mean it should be termed Asian, oriental, or any other generalized term. I guess that means any white person is European. I’m not sure if my logic is working there but I’ll go with it. Not to digress, but over the course of my high school career, there have been many instances where I have been confused to be “Jeff”. I cannot begin to count how many different teachers have done it. Substitutes never know the difference if we claim that we are in fact the other. The most recent event occurred in Mr. CV’s class. Seconds before, Gabrielle DP claimed something along the lines that the Chinese were getting bombed—due to the fact that it was a World War II discussion. Obviously Japan is the same as China, and this is precisely puritanical. To make things simple by terming everything from the East as Asian is just much more convenient isn’t it? Excuse me, I need to go sharpen my chopsticks so that I can eat my dumplings over white rice in won ton soup.

                                                           

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                            David

                                                                                                            xoxoxoxoxoxo

No Valid ID? Go Find One or Die.

A couple days ago I took the SAT—the mother of all tests. It was a grueling and excruciatingly long test that does not test intellect, but stamina. Not only is the test taken over a span of four hours, but there it is also strictly regimented. I found these methods and rules to be quite puritanical, because of how much unnecessary care is put into the administration of the test. A valid photo ID is necessary to even enter the test room. The College Board goes to crazy lengths to ensure that there is not cheating. Bringing mechanical pencils are not allowed because apparently notes can be stuffed inside them. Writing outside the lines of the essay space can result in a lower score. Working one second past the allotted time on a specific section can lead to expulsion from the room and the disintegration of the test. Snacks can only be consumed during breaks, and water cannot be kept on the desk. This all takes place starting from eight o’ clock on a Saturday morning. And to think I paid fifty-eight dollars to do it(including the special score report).  

The Lion, the Comestibles, and the Explosion

In Mr. J-per AP US History I class last year, our class had a good time. It consisted generally of a bunch of people from my current AP English III class. Mr. J-per was a laid-back and fun teacher, so he was easily convinced into allowing a class picnic outside behind the visitors’ bleachers. So every student brought in an item for the picnic and after we had finished eating, started walking back to school. Ethan and Matt, an infamous duo, began to lure some students from a gym class that was having a softball game by offering comestibles. The rest of us only laughed, still caught up in a jolly spirit from the happenings of the picnic. By now Jasper was in his car revving his engine and racing us back to school. As a joke, I decided to get in his way and a whole crew of students formed a roadblock, following my example. Everyone laughed, and I know I caught a smile on his face. Yet, when we got back to class, all smiles were gone when Jasper exploded in a fury. He claimed that we acted like children and had lost all credibility and he pointed out all of our “perfidies”. Immediately fingers began to point at who was to blame, but Jasper saw through this all and told us that blaming would only make matters worse. Everyone wanted to reflect any blame onto someone else, as to keep their own slate clean. The puritanical aspect here is also evident. We never had a picnic ever again…

People that Don't Read the Bible Aren't People- They're Zombies.

There are fourty-five charts on the wall in the basement of my church. Each chart has a member of the youth group’s name on it, along with a small box for each chapter on the New Testament in the Bible. After a chapter of the Bible is read by that person, the box is filled in with a red marker. Every single one of these charts is progressing along fairly well, except for one, which is empty. This is Henry’s chart, and he is a senior that is known for his rebelliousness, and he attends church only because his parents bring him along. For this reason, the other members of ouryouth group shun him, in a way. Even the adults give him skeptical and supercilious looks. The puritanical aspect here is quite literal, and I believe that it is unfair for him and his beliefs. He is surrounded by those who have a firm Christian association, and is castigated weekly for not adapting to his surroundings. Frankly, I believe that this is the reason some members of my chruch feign devotion. Some people may even be lying and just checking the boxes on the chart, just so that they are looked upon as devout Christians. I feel as if this is the wrong direction for a true church, but I know I am too young to have a say in any matters.