jessbobess

(www.explodingdog.com)

“The need for belonging and community is a fundamental to the human animal as the need to love and the need to believe in something greater than oneself.” – Deborah Mathis

I don’t even know where to begin, I have never done a blog, I don’t consider myself a “good” writer, the things I feel inside me never seem to come out quite right when I write them done, but I am not doing this for personal gain….

I am a 21 year old college student I am in my final year and extremely passionate about issues of social justice…after living a sheltered life as a preacher’s kid, I was oblivious of the actual state of the world around me. I even have traveled to some of the most cultured places in the world: Ethiopia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Isreal, Greece, Rome, Jamaica, and yet I still found myself very niave and ignorant towards reality.

It wasn’t until about my junior year of college that my eyes were first opened to the concept that my comfortable lifestyle was in fact, one cause of the majority of the world living in poverty. Since that realization, I have tried to live a life that causes the least negative affects for the rest of humanity (if that is even possible as an American).

My natural tendencies have led me to be an idealistic dreamer…always hoping that maybe I can make positive impacts on others, even in the smallest of circumstances, I am afraid if I give up that hope, I will become hardened and bitter and there will be nothing to work for, nothing to live for.

My final senior thesis paper is on understanding homelessness on the most extensive level. My main objective is to dissipate the negative stereotypes of those living on the edge of poverty. Since I go to an expensive private Christian university, one could assume the there is much work to be done. I am open to suggestions, personal stories and struggles. My eyes, ears, and heart are open to being taught. Criticism would also be appreciated.

This passage from Michael Brown’s blog site, http://view-sidewalk.blogspot.com especially hit me hard, b.c. it of it’s bitter truthfulness:

“American society is the most hypocritical in the world.It wants you to succeed but resents you and tries to slap you down when you do. It wants you to be self-sufficient, then tells you what to do and when to do it. It wants you to be a leader but then won’t take your advice. It wants you to pursue life, liberty and happiness, then thinks you’re crazy for daring to do it. It wants you to be intelligent, then treats you like an incredible dummy. It wants you to be rich, but then comes up with a myriad of ways to take your money. It wants you to ask for help when you get into a jam, then considers you weak for doing so.It wants you to be human, but treats you like an animal.“

More soon….