"Oh! I get the free stuffed dog?" ...thoughts on consumerism.

First of all, to all of my English-speaking friends, I apologize for the previous French post, but I had watched a movie in French on the Algerian War and I just had to write out my thoughts afterwards. I encourage you to rent "Days of Glory" to get a glimpse of the detrimental effects of colonization and how identity, security and well-being not only in Algeria, but in all of Africa remains a struggle to this day.

At the moment, I am sitting in Panera eating a salad after having worked on senior research for several hours in Caribou Coffee here in the Greene Center in Dayton. I paused to do a little shopping at Sephora and Victoria's Secret only to find myself in complete bliss with my new red trench, sunglasses and shopping bags on a sunny day in consumer heaven. I admit I walked with a certain flair through the center on my way to my lunch destination, but it made me question why I loved this moment of the day. Was it simply the refreshing break from the policy research I had been doing? Or the treatment I received from the women in Sephora who made a strong effort to ensure that I was comfortable, taken care of, and found what I was looking for (and then some)? Was it the free stuffed dog I got at Victoria's Secret for making a $25 purchase? Or maybe Kelly Clarkson singing "Miss Independent" through the parking meeter speakers. I think it was a combination of many things, most of which go all the way back to a hidden board room meeting where researchers and business men and women spend their days thinking up ways to make me feel good in this mini utopia. I don't feel bad for enjoying it, but I'm torn as to how far I need to distance myself from this world when I do research on the suffering in Palestine or read stories about genitally mutilated girls in Somalia. Where do I find myself? What must I sacrifice and how can I balance my passions and interests? If I wasn't the person that I am, perhaps I would not have befriended the African girl in my French class who likes to shop and who I have taken out several times for coffee. I'm learning quite a bit about who I am right here, right now, (even as I sit here in Panera) and with only 51 days left until I leave this place of study, stress, friends, and memories, I can only hope that I continue to live in a forward looking direction, not dwelling on the past, nor worrying about the present, and hoping that somehow my life can make a difference while taking what I love to higher places.

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Yes I know, the entire world is in love with "Once" now, but I’m not going to let it stop me from appreciating someone’s work that has moved thousands of people to recognize it for its genius.

I want to send a note of encouragement to anyone who feels like they're sinking...in whatever aspect of life you might be in. I find peace (over and over again) in a Savior who never fails me (although I fail Him DAILY!) Thus, go live the day, and may the peace that I have found be found in your lives as well...maybe even in Sephora. ;)

Prayers of the day -
4. For Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.

38. For the Right Use of God’s Gifts

Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we
possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our
substance, and, remembering the account which we must one
day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-The Book of Common Prayer

À quoi sert "l’identité nationale?"

Je viens de voir un film français de la guerre où les Algériens a battu avec les Français contre le Nazisme. Il s'appelle "Days of Glory." Il faut le voir. À ce moment, je pense à l’idée d’un « identité nationale » car jusqu’au ce jour-là il existe le racisme et l’inégalité en France entre les immigrés et même les étrangers qui veulent trouver une vie nouvelle eux-mêmes et aux enfants. Même si j’écris ma recherche de l’identité et l’immigration en France ce semestre, je veux savoir comment identifier où nous la trouvons.

Dix minutes plus tard…

Merde ! Ce n’est pas juste ! J’ai trouvé un petit film par le directeur qui a fait un film des gens qui viennent de Sénégal qui ont été tués à cause d’ils ont demandé leur salaire en 1945. Je déteste la colonisation, je déteste la guerre, et je déteste l’attitude des Français qui regardent même aujourd’hui (pas tous, mais beaucoup) les étrangers comme « racaille » dit par Nicolas Sarkozy, il y a trois années.

Alors, je continue. Si vous demandiez à un étranger aux Etats-Unis où est ses « indenté » c’est normale à répondre « Je suis Africain-American, Asian-American, ou bien même Franco-American ». Mais ça ne marche pas en France. Selon moi, il faut qu’on ne fasse pas seulement le recherche d’identité et l’égalité, mais aussi devenir connu aux gens qui veulent une vie nouvelle, qui veulent trouver une identité nouvelle, mais ils ne peuvent pas à cause de l'idée d'un identité nationale. Où se trouve « liberté, égalité et fraternité » aujourd'hui???

Les Algériens sont mort avec les Français en 1945, et je souhaite que tout le monde soit connus aux histoires des gens comme eux.