I took a step back last night and looked at my adult life and the things I’ve done for other people. My Dad really influenced me to be a good person and help people and not be someone who is taking from the pot. He also taught me patience and to also look inward at myself for my own improvements and I’ve been neglecting that aspect of his teachings lately but I’m working on getting better.
I’d like to talk more about the first thing and about helping people and everything in our universe. Let’s talk about respect, care and love of all things and let’s talk about responsibility. Some of us pay our bills, take the kids to school and go to work on time. That’s easy responsibility. Adults aren’t any different than kids when it comes to basic human functions and I’ll explain.
I love Chris Rock’s monologue, “I take care of my kids” where he explains that some parents brag about taking care of their kids and that is just basic human nature to do that. “What do you want? A cookie?” he goes on to say and I say, “amen.” A lot of people want so much in return for things that we, as humans, should be doing anyway. Enough with the kudos and let’s make some real change.
This past weekend, I went to Universal Studios in Orlando Florida with my sisters, mom and her new boyfriend. I was there to see my sisters who are 9 and 12 years old. I’m 22 so I feel that it’s important for me to set an example for them and I really love every moment I get to spend with them. Throughout the weekend, I was observant of people’s actions and how humans interact. It was a perfect setting since I was in an amusement park with people from all over the world and I have a few stories to tell.
1. At Starbucks on Universal’s City Walk night spot, I bought my sisters some hot chocolate and we sat down to drink it and discuss our weekend plans. Three young men all under 18 years old sat down at a table facing ours. When it was time for them to leave, their cups remained on the table as they started to walk off. No worries. A lot of people don’t believe in cleaning up after themselves and rely on “the common worker” to do it for them. That’s fine but one of the guys throws his napkin on the ground as they walk off. I grab the napkin, walk in front of them and say, “I really hate selfish asshole kids who think they are too good to pick up their shit. I’m throwing this away for you but I wanted you to know that no one will ever respect you if you do shit like that.” I walked away, they were shocked and I hope it got through to them.
2. The next day I was at the park at a candy store in “Dr. Seuss” land with my sisters. The lady at the register asked for my ID after handing her my VISA. I said, “boy I’m getting tired of being IDed for every little thing in this park and without looking at me she says, “waaah I’m a baby who doesn’t like doing things for people. I’m gonna cry!” I was astonished and said, “do you like working here? Do you enjoy coming here and making fun of people? you and I are the same freaking age and I barely make more than you do and I figured you and I could relate on something. You’ve really insulted me and I’m simply astonished.” She never apologized and just chucked. As I walked away she made more cry baby sounds.
3. Another trash moment happened with a couple was walking in the Universal parking garage and the guy takes this balloon and in his attempts to be a complete badass, pokes a hole in it and throws it on the ground. I pick it up and don’t say a word. it wasn’t intimidation. I was only just really disappointed.
4. The final great story of this weekend. Me and my two little sisters were about to board this water raft ride and we were first in line. The ride attendee opened the gate and two boys pushed my sisters out of the way to get by. They were kids so no harm and I blame their parents for not teaching the kids manners. Then a guy my age tried to jump in front too. I stopped it and said, “are you serious? You’re going to jump in front of these two little girls who were here first?” His blank stare meant he wasn’t even thinking and without saying sorry he just got back behind me again.
This is all in a 24 hour span and these are only the instances I noticed. Even my mom’s boyfriend, a 40 year old grown man with 2 kids of his own was in the castle of Dueling Dragons waiting in line with me and my family and he stuck his styrofoam cup in one of the skeleton decorations and made a joke about something that was inaudible to me. I was confused, horrified and just saddened when this grown man started to walk with us in line without taking the trash with him and I could visually see a trash can only a few feet away from us. I picked it up out of the skeleton and later told him I was ashamed by his actions. What nerve? What a fucking prick to litter in front of kids and he’s a grown ass man. I bought 6 tickets for my sisters, mom, him and his daughter because he wouldn’t let me and my sisters go to Universal because he couldn’t go either so I caved and bought everyone tickets and now he’s littering. What a loser and I’m associated with him but this is a whole other entry entirely that I’ll discuss at a later date.
Anyway, the world is pretty depressing right now. Well, The Earth has hope and has a chance but the human race just doesn’t have its luster anymore to me. Things changed so quickly. The last 50 years has been such amazing progress that I’m speechless and in awe at how things have changed. Something must be done and it’s going to take more than a new president to actually make a difference. Those of you who think that Barrack Obabma is going to lower taxes, give you more money, make more jobs and save the world and you won’t have to do a damn thing, well you’re all mistaken. Things will be hard and we’re going to have to fight for everything that we believe in.
I need some help with this one. What I experienced this weekend is ridiculous and scary that people are out there and not giving back. I sent a Tweet out that said, “why must we be attacked by terrorists or affected by a natural disaster for Americans to come together as one?” Someone replied that it’s because humans are all self-centered but I replied that it’s fine to be self-centered and take care of yourself but success doesn’t mean that you destroy everyone in your path to get there. I want to be successful one day and have enough money to be comfortable in the middle class but I’m not going to litter, pollute, ruin lives and step on others to get there.
Speak up. We have to speak up for ourselves and for our beautiful planet. Those of us that do nothing in adversity are just as guilty as the person committing a crime. I’ve been ridiculed for AdamsBlock and “exposing the poor for my own profit” which I’ve explained dozens of times in the past two months how I made no money and actually gave back to the community. I’m tired of explaining though and just gave up on the project. I’d like to offer up some things I’ve done in the past couple of years for my world.
1. I took 6 guys and myself to central Florida when a Tornado hit in 2007 to help cleanup a community that was devastated. We spent 2 days helping people piece their lives together and I also learned what it’s like to walk up to a disaster area without any affiliations and actually help someone. Basically, you’re not wanted. You want to help and no one will let you because you have to be affiliated somewhere but that’s also another post entirely.
2. I helped build a home for habitat for humanity in 2007 which was an awesome breathtaking experience as well.
3. I’ve organized over a dozen food drives / fundraisers in the past 3 years. My last fundraiser was a holiday party in San Francisco where we collected over 300 toys and 100 cans of food for a local homeless shelter during the holidays.
4. I’ve given over 5 thousand dollars of my own money to Red Cross, United Way many more humanitarian foundations.
5. I’ve raised over 7 thousand dollars in miscellaneous fundraisers for those in need.
6. I’ve taken friends out and cleaned up roadways and held up signs encouraging people not to litter.
7. I spent a week calling people in an effort to inspire them to go out in vote in this year’s election no matter what candidate it was for.
8. I’ve voluntarily taught a children’s martial arts class for no pay for my father’s school since I was 16 years old and watched youngsters at 5 years old grow to teenagers passionate about fitness and martial arts.
I’m not listing things off to brag or get kudos. I’m saying that since the age of 16, I’ve done things that I feel great about and I wake up each morning feeling incredible and I want to try and find more things I can make a difference in. Last week I inquired at the SFPD about being a “weekend warrior” and helping them with basic civil responsibilities on a part time basis. It would be volunteer police officer and I’d be doing mundane things like directing traffic but it’s just another thing that I’m doing with my spare time to make a difference.
When I was running Adams’ Block, I got a lot of hate mail from people but it wasn’t as much hate as it was positive. It was 90% positive but the hate I did receive contained some lines saying, “you’re destroying the community and exposing the homeless and the blacks.” I would always respond to every single email and finish my 2 page long responses with, “have you volunteered to help people in the last 5 years? I have spent thousands of hours helping people because I don’t make much money and I’m one paycheck away from being on the street too. I hope you volunteer to help someone in need before you come back to me with another hateful message.”
I now am calling out to you. It’s your responsibility to pick up trash that someone just threw on the ground, give money to a foundation that needs it most and volunteer to feed people who are in need or volunteer to work with an agency that delivers food to the elderly, transports the elderly to their doctor appointments and when a natural disaster strikes within driving distance, take 2 days off and go out and help. Donate blood, participate in walks for AIDS and breast cancer, recycle and please vote every single year for the best candidates. If you don’t do these things then our race will collapse and it’s at this defining moment that was have to stand up and take a chance, make a change and do some good.
I have 5 projects right now that I’m working on. 3 of them don’t make any money at all and if they do make money, they are projects that involve charities and if they succeed, it will mean millions for the people that need it most. I’m always thinking about new ways to get money and support to everyone that needs it and that’s what I’m doing now. This blog entry is the start of what I would like to call, “Making a Difference.” We can all do it and if we have a roof over heads and gas in our car, we should be focusing on how we can help others reach the same goals. Thank you for reading. Now go out and change the world.
