Don’t check your brains at the door.

‘What’s the point of being President if you can’t do anything?’ I can’t say for sure how many times I’ve been asked that in one form or the other, but I do know that I haven’t answered it directly, yet.

Picture a little scene. You and a friend (or more) talking about school, and this year’s CLADS: how stupid and restrictive all the new rules are, and how bad this year’s CLADS is going to be.

This is a scene, I find, to be a little dangerous. Why? You have no room to think. You instinctively, subconsciously accept the torrent of information and opinion you are fed. You see no other alternative, and anything you hear from then, relating to the issue, will be seen in the same, negative light. If all I’m saying seems ‘high and mighty’ talk, then hear my plea (again): clear your mind of pre-set notions and opinions, and approach this year’s CLADS with an open mind.

Here’s another line of thought. If you are one who likes EDM, why? If classic rock, again, why? If you are a fan of Star Wars, why? Anything that you are interested in. Why?

Think. Is there an aspect of this, in particular, that attracts you? Are you rebelling against the norms? Do you just plain like it? Whatever the answer, why? Think, before I enforce my opinions on you.

The joy, the attraction, the lure of the various forms of art around us, more often than not, I have found to be in the community. If we did not have these little communities, most of the ideas that we enjoy would fade away, or would not even exist. Does that mean that our endorsing of different forms of thought and art is wrong? No. After all, so much of our lives is influenced, mine included, and we inadvertently fit in to what we find.

Do you have to agree with what I say? No. I don’t even want you to.

Then what, you ask, does this drivelling preacher want? Why am I asking you all this? I want to put an end to each one of us being a mere product of the system of thought we are surrounded by. I want you to beat that system. By thinking for yourself, and understanding.

I will promise you one thing: you will encounter conflict and contradictions. Even within yourself. But make this start, and rise above everything you find yourself in, whatever it may be.

An open mind. That’s all I ask. CLADS will be what you make it. The restrictions need not be what you find others enforcing on you. The system is not around you. It is in you. Break out, and find yourself.