I'm on the corner with doubt.
I returned from visiting my family in Alabama on Wednesday. I always enjoy seeing my mom, stepdad, sister, and extended family in the south, however, I became completely aware that I could never, ever, live in the south. There are a few reasons for this:
1. Religion. Church is incredibly important to southerners, and family life as well as social life revolves around it. I found a quote that accurately defines my religious "beliefs": "The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not." - Eric Hoffer.
I am the gentle cynic. And I can only remain gentle for so long - especially when people use religion as a basis to deny homosexuals the right to marry. Thankfully, I am capable of being respectful when engaging family in a debate over this issue.
2. Racism. The south exhibits a nasty sort of reverse racism. A large number of the black people hate the whites, and make that painfully obvious. This, in turn, makes the whites wary of the blacks. I am not blaming either the black people or the white people, I am only stating my observations. It was difficult for me to witness this, and even more difficult to witness people in my own family taking part.
3. Conservatism. I consider myself to be somewhat conservative. I believe in marriage, I believe in loyalty to marriage and family... that actually sounds more like idealism than conservatism... Suffice to say that growing up in California has exposed me to "alternative" lifestyles that are not readily accepted in the south. Tattoos? I love them. People in Alabama do have them, but they are not as prevelant as they are in other areas and therefore I received several raised eyebrows in regards to my tats. The general consensus in regards to visible ink is that people who have tattoos are "wild" or "crazy" - and perhaps not "christian". Hmmmm... maybe they are onto something with this...
Below is a picture of the newest addition to my arm. I received it in Panama City, Florida with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and a couple of my parent's biker friends. My stepdad and the biker friends also got tattoos. It was a family affair.
Its good to be home.
1. Religion. Church is incredibly important to southerners, and family life as well as social life revolves around it. I found a quote that accurately defines my religious "beliefs": "The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not." - Eric Hoffer.
I am the gentle cynic. And I can only remain gentle for so long - especially when people use religion as a basis to deny homosexuals the right to marry. Thankfully, I am capable of being respectful when engaging family in a debate over this issue.
2. Racism. The south exhibits a nasty sort of reverse racism. A large number of the black people hate the whites, and make that painfully obvious. This, in turn, makes the whites wary of the blacks. I am not blaming either the black people or the white people, I am only stating my observations. It was difficult for me to witness this, and even more difficult to witness people in my own family taking part.
3. Conservatism. I consider myself to be somewhat conservative. I believe in marriage, I believe in loyalty to marriage and family... that actually sounds more like idealism than conservatism... Suffice to say that growing up in California has exposed me to "alternative" lifestyles that are not readily accepted in the south. Tattoos? I love them. People in Alabama do have them, but they are not as prevelant as they are in other areas and therefore I received several raised eyebrows in regards to my tats. The general consensus in regards to visible ink is that people who have tattoos are "wild" or "crazy" - and perhaps not "christian". Hmmmm... maybe they are onto something with this...
Below is a picture of the newest addition to my arm. I received it in Panama City, Florida with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and a couple of my parent's biker friends. My stepdad and the biker friends also got tattoos. It was a family affair.
Its good to be home.