Revolution

I wrote this during the first day of fasting during this Ramadan. Ramadan is great in that it gives us a time for reflection. I was having a conversation with a friend that day and found we were not connecting on the same level, this was disturbing and it got me to thinking. Some differences are apparant like culture, language, religion, customs and traditions, others, I find are hidden and only visible after a more in-depth conversation. What makes us view things differently? What makes me see one situation as clear and your perception as convoluted? What matters to me and what are your priorities? We were taught differently, how does that affect our decision-making abilitis?

What do I care about? I guess one of the most pertinent thoughts that came to me was abstract thinking. Now whether this is something learned or inherent, I couldn’t tell you. I find that the ability to view situations from outside perspectives, from a different angle, from another culture another background. To truly be able to displace yourself into another’s state, this can not be accomplished fully, but the act of trying is considerable enough.
I find that I am not only in the minority but in the strangest place of trying to balance my own beliefs and cultures with respecting those of the people here. When is it appropriate to stop a conversation because it is one-sided with the other person not interested nor showing the same respect you have given him in listening to your perspective? How much leeway is given due to the differences in our common courtesy and manners regarding social behaviors versus their difference in experience, where they may not be exposed to as many people from different backgrounds, cultures, etc., I like to think of small town America and its inhabitants as being very similar. We see these people on TV. Their warped viewpoints make us shake our head in pity and sympathy. It is like they don’t know any better, so how can you be upset?

That has been much of my mode of continuing on here with my head held high and a positive countenance and outlook on the rest of my service. How can I be so upset when people do not know any better. What a shallow and haughty statement you might say! Am I looking down my nose at these people, feeling sorry for them and their lack of a better education and social graces? No. But you have to understand how frustrating it can be when sitting in a room full of women who talk on top of each other. My frustration here, once again, is who asks the hard questions? Who asks about fighting for their rights? Who wants to rally together and start demanding some respect for themselves and their sisters? Perhaps I am calling for a revolution, certainly a sexual one, certainly one for women’s rights, certainly one for the equality of women.