Modern Robin Hood

The law is not black or white. There's a lot of gray area. It's forever the Robin Hood conundrum. Is one ever really justified in breaking the law? Yes, sometimes they are. Think of all the progress our country has seen since it's birth. What was once illegal is no longer unlawful in some cases. It was people pushing (and in some cases breaking) laws that made change in the world. I'm not saying that everyone should start speeding and stealing, but when no one is listening and laws are oppressive it's time to take a stand. Laws are never set in stone. They are constantly being amended. We have rules for a reason. They keep order. However, they are not always made with every citizen's best interests in mind. It's those laws that need to be pushed. The real question that needs to be asked, though, is what laws are morally okay to object? 

Changing Our Water

There's a lot of things I want to change in the world. Some will never happen. I can't change the weather or the amount of hours in a day. However, there are things I can change. If there was only one thing that I had to choose, though, to change in my community it would be the littering that occurs in the creek near my house. The bay is already so polluted and people don't understand that every single piece of trash effects the Chesapeake. Yes, it may just be a single can, but if every person who was out on the water had the same mind set as that, the bay would be completely filled with trash. If everyone picked up a piece of litter they saw in the bay instead of throwing something in, maybe people wouldn't be afraid to swim in our water. I know that the litter has nothing to do with the chemicals and waste in our bay, but honestly I find water activities a lot more enjoyable when I'm not dodging trash. 

I Believe In...

There are certain things in this world that I fiercely believe in. I think that all humans are equal and it is absolutely heartbreaking that people look down upon others simply because of their race, sexual orientation, or religion. Every person in this world should have the exact same rights as others, no exceptions. I strongly believe in clean, sustainable energy. Our earth isn't going to be able to withstand the damage human's continue to inflict on it. We need to get our act together not only for our generation but also for every generation after us. I also believe that education needs to be accessible to all. The only way our population is going to continue advancing and be able to solve the issues that are present in our world today is if every person has the knowledge to make the world a better place. I think you get out what you put in. If you put bad energy into the world, life isn't going to treat you great. If you are positive and make the world a little better each day, you will be rewarded. Most importantly I believe change is an active process that everyone can contribute to. Without actually getting out there and doing something, nothing is ever going to happen. It doesn't matter how small or insignificant you think you are; every single person can change the world in one way or another.   

No Expectations

 Ashoke and Ashima had no choice of who they were going to marry. It was arranged by their parents. Gogol, however, did have a choice. His mother set him up with his future wife, but he he never was forced to marry her. Yet, with this freedom of choosing also came the possibility of making the wrong decision. Ashima was never unsatisfied with her marriage. It was her culture and the way she was raised. She had no high expectations of a great love. Gogol on the other hand grew up in a place where these epic love stories were expected. His expectations led to great disappointments. Even if you don't have an arranged marriage, there is no guarantee that you will be happy. The question is, would you rather have no expectations and never be disappointed or hope for a great love and have your heart broken? Personally, I believe there is no reward without risk.  

The Way Grief Changes You

Grief changes people. When Gogol's father dies, he suddenly starts feeling guilty about the way he treated Ashoke. Some people are changed for the worse by their grief. They become depressed and stop living because of their sadness. Gogol, however, is changed for the better. Of course he mourns the loss of his father, but I believe it is a wakeup call for him. He now understands his father better. He even slightly regrets changing his name. People all too often don't realize these kind of things until it is too late. Gogol cannot tell his father what he has come to discover; he is gone. I believe part of the reason Gogol marries Moushumi is because he is honoring his father wishes. Ashoke never officially came out and said he wanted his son to marry a Bengali woman, but I think he would be very happy Gogol has another connection to the culture he desperately tried to ignore his entire life.