[Not] Born This Way

...too bad the song supports homosexuality. =( God didn't make gays lesbians transvestites and they were definitely NOT born that way. pero ang ganda nga ng boses.

I really hate to ask this, but are Christian viewpoints really so narrow?  Here we are again, met with another little Filipina to make our race proud, another soul recognized internationally because of her talent, and all you can focus on is the "un-Christian-ness" of her song selection.  Did you even research on the rest of the song's lyrics?

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those lyrics seem like a praise to God, and how perfect He is, and all His creations.

Don't be drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way


How can you dismiss a song so utterly just because it gave a shout out to "gays, lesbians and transvestites".  Did you not see how the song aims to uplift the spirits of those outcast for their appearance; for their color, race or disabilities?  The song wants you to embrace who and what you are, to not let yourself be the victim of the stereotype.  It tells you to love your quirks, your uniqueness -- your GOD-GIVEN individuality.


So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks


Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe


Pink and Katy Perry said much the same things with their songs, why are you not panning them in the same way?  Is it because the "gays, lesbians and transvestites" have made Lady Gaga the figurehead of their advocacy?  Or maybe because Lady Gaga, when placed side by side with Katy and Pink, looks weird?  I can only hope that it isn't the case.

I have been blessed with quality, secular education during my formative years, and I was taught that our God was a Father who loves his flock as much as the sick, the lepers, the outcasts; and who readily forgives.  He taught me to love my neighbors as much as myself.  He was no longer the vengeful, wrathful god of the Old Testament who commands his people to crush the infidels.  He was a universal, CATHOLIC God full of love and tolerance.  Or do you worship a god that is different from my own?

I remember years ago, when Madonna was much maligned and criticized by various Christian groups to no end because of Papa Don't Preach; stating that the song promotes pre-marital sex; urging people not to support her and her music for its un-Christian message.  An unfair treatment (yet again) considering the very pro-life message of the song.

Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, oh
I'm gonna keep my baby

Give the girl a break!  She knows she made a mistake, and she's pregnant because of it.  But she has decided she'll correct that mistake and let her baby live.  Must you dwell on the wrongdoing committed rather than the actions made to make amends?  Isn't passing judgment on other people also an un-Christian trait?

I've digressed.  Too much, it seems.

We're talking here about a girl, a Filipina, who is a source of national pride for being recognized for her talent.

Why couldn't you have left it at that, and steered way away from quick judgment on her song choices?

I am SO glad you are not one of my facebook contacts.

I Take it Back

I finished another torturous session of kicks and flips and was about to go down when one co-trainee addressed me and said "I take it back."  Just those four words, and no explanation at all.  Piqued by his cryptic talk, I braced myself for intellectual discourse, as is my nature. 


"Whuut?!"  I asked, and promptly gave myself a mental facepalm.


"No, it's nothing," he replied while stepping back to give me access to the stairs leading out of the dojo.  I've been dismissed.  End of conversation.


Given that this was the first time I saw this person in the few sessions that I've attended, I really shouldn't be affected with what he said -- or didn't say.  I mean, come on, by now, I should be confident enough in what I do and who I am, and what other people think of me shouldn't really affect me.


But I'm also paranoid enough and psychotic enough to hark on this endlessly.  Like what I am doing right now.


It could be a positive.  He might have seen me at the start of the session, made some quick judgement, and was proven wrong.  Then for decency's sake, and because he has already talked about me with his peers, he confronts me to tell me that he's taking back his initial negative appraisal, as I have proven him wrong, no matter how unwittingly.


It could also be easily a negative, where his initial positive appraisal had been marred by what he observed during the almost two-hour session.


Either way, whatever he thinks shouldn't really affect me, as his brain isn't my jurisdiction, and attempting to pick on it isn't really helping my cause.  Still, whatever it was that happened there brought home the fact that my three weeks of training notwithstanding, I still am the outsider, and no matter how out-of-the-blue their appearance in the dojo would be, three weeks' attendance can never trump years of camaraderie.  Especially if the new guy cannot even perform a basic cartwheel perfectly.

Jerusalem

"YOU LOOK BLOOMING, who are you dating?"  Jerusalem could only blush and giggle like a schoolgirl in reply.  Typical Jerusalem behavior, the one that endeared us in the first place.  The group has all eyes on Jerusalem, the non-answer to the question sparking more interest than the question warranted in the first place.  No one's eating nor discussing in little groups anymore, as all attention was given to Jerusalem.  Still no answer, only that sweet, adorable smile.

One after another, the group uttered a name, trying to elicit a reaction from Jerusalem.  With each name given, only a giggle and a shake of the head issues forth -- no.  Predictably, more names are given, but still, no affirmative response from Jerusalem.

Stumped, the group gave up as one and changed tactics, slapping Jerusalem in the arms, just enough to hurt the name out.  When asking nicely doesn't work, a bit of manhandling can do wonders.  After a few minutes of laughing banter and not a few exchanges of slaps, Jerusalem did relent.  "Okay, I'll tell," Jerusalem said.

"So who are you dating?" Mirror asked expectantly, a hint of a smile building at the corner of his mouth.

Silence all around the table, all ears upon Jerusalem's announcement.

"I'm dating Night Shift."

----

My eyes shot open and I heard my fist thumping the bed as if in frustration.

What a way to wake up in the morning.