I'll update with an excerpt from a class journal I'm writing (at the last minute).  Needless to say I feel very strongly on this subject, but I'll let the writing speak for itself:

Now, this brings to mind the class discussion on “the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.”  I took offense at the author’s derogatory tone when describing the official tribe as basically having “sold out” in All Our Relations.  Instead she chose to portray the handful of Seminoles living in the Everglades as the “true” tribe.

If there’s one thing that a person needs to know when looking at different cultures, it’s that no one culture is inherently superior over another.  And that goes for ALL cultures, even the western one that everyone seems to vilify so much.  With this in mind, how dare she reprimand the actions of the Seminole tribe for adapting to their situation in a way that benefited their people?  Of all the groups in the world, few have had worse luck than Native Americans.  Looking at what they’ve been through, how can you possibly fault the tribe for trying to improve its devastating situation?  Does the fact that the Seminoles have used their situation to benefit from casinos and bingo halls really make them any less human or less worthy of empathy?  No one culture is inherently superior over another, that needs to be remembered here. 

This all boils down to the difference between assimilation and adaptation.  To assimilate into a culture is to let go of everything that is your past and start over completely.  To adapt is to go forward with knowledge of the past and who you are, accepting change in the process.  Four hundred years ago, there were no white people here in Florida; this fact has irrevocably changed.  The land here has born witness to the arrival of Europe and the massacre and exodus of the native populace that ensued.  The Seminole Tribe of Florida “Inc.” chose to not go gently into that good night down the Trail of Tears.  They stood up and fought for their existence for many years, and as a result they and similar tribes were left devastated.  Now the Seminoles are left trying to better the lives of their shattered and poverty-stricken people and some lady is trying to fault them for it?  Change has happened, and despite their best efforts the Seminole tribe was unable to keep this change from occurring.  What they have done is accept that change has happened, forgiving the transgression against them in the process, and gone on with life the best they can.  It takes a lot of heart to do that, and I’ll be damned if anyone says otherwise.  To call the Seminole Tribe of Florida a bunch of sell-outs is to think them unworthy of being who they are, and THAT is something truly unforgivable.

Hi EAPoeboy! It's been 802 (wow, that's a big number) days since you joined Xanga... won't you support us by going Premium?

My how time flies....

Seems I actually have found the time to update....shocking.

Well, I'm starting on my bachelor in Interdiscinplinary sciences this semester, with cognates in History and International Studies.  I like my classes so far since I get to rise above the math and science mandate previous schooling has forever held me to.  I am free to pursue all forms of dorkery my degree will allow.  There's even a class on Byzantium I've had my eye on...

As for me and Nichole, yesterday marked our having been together for a year.  I took her to the beach and we sipped pina coladas and watched the beautiul sunset from the edge of a pier.  Birds were flying over water whose surface was occasionally broken by the fins of dolphin.  We even did the silliest thing...we danced.  No music was playing or anything, we just danced together to the sound of the ocean.  Beautiful.

I may even write a poem about it...

Eh, Meikou was yellin at me to update, so out of fear of her I will now attempt to do so.

Let's see...what all has happened to me...

We almost got hit by Ivan.  He was...uh...big.

I'm doing well in all my classes save for Algebra and Political Correctness 101, aka Teaching Diverse Populations.  Its kinda funny how racist my book is while its purpose is to supposedly squash racism.  "African-American Females work better in groups than in a competitive environment."  What are they trying to say?  That if they compete they'll be at each others' throats like a pack of wolverines  in a burlap sack?  Or that they aren't smart enough to work alone?  Why not just say "don't judge people by the color of their skin, but also remember that all black people  like fried chicken and menthol cigarettes"?  All it talks about is using racial generalizations to "reach" children of minorities.  And then there's the fucking stupid "suggestions" to teaching that affect a person no matter WHAT color you are...Like how they say there's a correlation in African Americans between Family Support and Academic Progression...well NO SHIT!  Ugh, there's a billion more examples, but I'm going to leap out of my skin if I don't talk about something else....

Ooh!  I'm dating now!  Her name is Nichole and she's a Red-Headed Italian from Upstate New York, complete with accent and everything!  Oh, and she's hawt!  We went to go see Napolean Dynamite last weekend (the movie has its moments), but we haven't decided what we're gonna do for this weekend coming up.  Its kinda funny, she could totally kick Willie's ass...hm, gives me an idea....

Currently Playing American Pie By Don Mclean see related

Its about time I updated this thing, I tend to have a habit of drifting away.

Hm, now what's there to tell?  I changed my major to Social Sciences Education.

What does this mean?  I'm going to be a starving history teacher. Any future donations may be left in the "help the poor" collection plate in the back as you leave.  So far I'm just taking required courses this year, with the most interesting courses being American National Government and Public Speaking.  Okay I lied, nothing I'm taking is interesting....NOTHING!

In other news, I'm writing this in the middle of Hurricane Frances.  This guy isn't all that bad compared to Charley, but he's taking a LOT longer to go over.  Watching things get blown around gets old after a while.

On a side note, Willie is a dirty, dirty Xanga stealer and will die an agonizing death when God sees fit to remove him from this world.

As far as what I'm doing in my spare time, I'm gearing up to play everquest 2. Site is here: http://everquest2.station.sony.com/.  Most of the time I'm hanging out in my guild's forums: http://guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=16700&TabID=150907, and in the Roleplayer's Union we're in: www.eq2rp.guildportal.com. My forum name is Nebau.  (Why give my name out, you ask? Because I know none of you will ACTUALLY follow the links :) ).

Now, if I could only get Willie to fix that background to the space theme again...