I slept in a bit this morning (7:30--I know) and ate some breakfast, got a shower, then wrote up last night's blog entry. I sat around for a bit, got bored, and decided that I was going to go around London. The first place I wanted to check out was Speakers' Corner, where for years and years now, people have been able to come and speak their mind about any subject. They only do it on Sunday mornings, so I really wanted to check this out. Well, I went over to Marble Arch and low and behold--nothing. I walked around for twenty minutes or so, thinking I may have missed it, and just as I was about to leave, I checked one last time and finally saw the people coming out at around 10:30ish. By the way, a funny side story: two cops pulled their car up around Marble Arch, no one around except pigeons, and honked their horn ever so lightly just to scare the pigeons into moving a few feet. It was a very funny, very odd thing to see.
Well, I walked on over and checked out who was speaking. First up was a rather left-leaning white guy who sounded quite intelligent and was going on about the American health care system versus the U.K. His facts sounded a bit off. I didn't bother to correct him and let him know that it is illegal for health care providers to deny assistance to people in need and that anyone can go to a hospital and get medical treatment, whether they have insurance or not. I also refrained from telling him that there are extensive programs, not only by the pharmaceutical companies, but also by private charity organizations, that will provide reduced-cost or free medicines to those in need. But, I did chose to speak up when, get this, a black Muslim Imam started to chime in on the American education system.
Before I tell this story, there are few things you need to understand. You can interject at anytime and contribute to the conversation. Also, most of these people talk about controversial subjects for the purpose of getting people worked up. Anyways, this Imam basically made the suggestion that in America poor people have no opportunity for a higher education. I very politely corrected him that in America anyone, and I do mean anyone, can get a higher education. Those who do not have money can get grants or scholarships, and basically there is no reason why someone can't get a university degree. He then went on about how they would have to get loans, which they would have to pay back. Again, I corrected him. Now here is where things started going downhill...
He took a very pompous, arrogant attitude when responding to me. He would call me "Sir" in a way as not to show respect or simply not knowing my name, but as a way to them introduce his flawed argument. He would constantly look around at the crowd, not looking me in the eye when speaking to me, and just generally carried and air that by standing on a little box he somehow had greater knowledge than the rest of us. But what really got me was when he asked where I went to school and then what my major was. I told him I went to Columbus State University (which I know he has no idea where it is) and that I am a history major. His response: "Well, shame on you." Ok. Calm down. Time to breathe.
I responded inappropriately. I told him there was no shame on me, and that he was the one who was full of shit. I actually said that. Now in retrospect, I should not have done that because I don't believe that reverting to profanity is anyway to have a civil dialogue. I personally am not bothered by profanity, but many people consider it taboo. Nonetheless, I said it. I also told him that since I am currently in the American higher-education system, since I am from America (though from his accent I think he may have been too), that I knew what I was talking about and better suited to comment on the subject. He also mentioned that he graduated from Howard University with a degree in Public Administration. I know.
It really bothers me that people trash-talk our country from 5,000 miles away. And it's one thing to disagree with our country, or even to just down right hate America, but to get on a soapbox and insult our country with lies is unacceptable. For me not to correct him and let him know would have, I feel, been un-American and simply not the thing to do. When someone is going around spreading lies, we have a duty to speak up and correct them. Of course, we also have a duty to show that America is a civilized country and the people their are courteous to everyone, even those with whom they disagree.
Anyhow, I then wondered over to a very oddly-dressed gentleman (you'll be able to see him in the photos) who I think may have been mentally off because he was just sort of babbling to himself. I walked back to the area with the Imam, who was then going on about how Britain and the U.S. should not be surprised they are getting attacked because of all of the warmongering they've done to Muslim countries. Yeah, I know. Someone then asked him if someone in his mosque came to him and told him they had plans to detonate a bomb and kill people, if he would tell the authorities. He then began to explain that he would try and talk them out of it, but that he would not tell the police because he is not secular and that as a Muslim he is not subject to the U.K. government, basically. His words were, "I will not be a spy for this government and I will not be an informant for this government." I am relatively certain this guy probably knows some terrorists, or at least supports terrorist actions.
After this I made my way to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard. It was lackluster and I really was not impressed at all. It was way too crowded to see anything of interest, and even the people with the good positions couldn't really see anything. It lasted entirely too long and entirely too little happened. I was a bit disappointed with it. But, while I was there, I was thinking about my previous actions. I began to realize that my behavior was not at all in line with Christian living, and that on top of that, I did not represent my country, my people, or just in general civilized society, very well when I used profanity at him. I was raised that you do not say what I said to people, especially in public, and especially to someone you do not know. And considering how most of the people over here think of America anyways, I realized I had made a mistake. So, I went back to apologize.
I found the Imam and politely walked up to him and apologized for my inappropriate language earlier. He made the remark, sarcastically, that earlier I had "given a good impression of America". Again, he said this sarcastically, which is fair because my behavior was not acceptable. But, I did let him know that he did deserve and apology, we shook hands, and I went about my way. He asked where I was from and when I told him Georgia he assumed Atlanta. I told him not Atlanta, but Columbus, which was about 100 miles away from Atlanta. Nonetheless, he seemed to have accepted my apology and I feel it was due. I realize this may not sit well with some, but frankly, I did some serious thinking about this and I feel I did what was right. By apologizing I wasn't admitting defeat or admitting that he was right--because truthfully, he was spreading lies and I stand by my original belief that someone needed to make clear that he was not being truthful. But, even in my attempt to tell the truth, I don't need to make an insulting remark at someone, especially someone I do not know. I could possibly get away with that around my friends, but to someone who is a foreigner and who obviously does not think highly of us anyways, I have a duty to maintain the highest level of decorum and civility. I hope that in the future I do a better job of that.
After all of this though, I went back to the dorms and ate some lunch. On the way back I ran into a group of lively, singing Portuguese women. They were awesome and funny. When I asked them where they were from, they responded in unison with a resounded "Portugal!" which had some pride that I really couldn't help but smile. From there, I rode out to the edge of Zone 2 (the Underground is divided into zones) and made my way to Highgate Cemetery. London is a fairly flat city. Today I found the hilly section. I also walked for about a mile up the hilly section. I then walked another half mile down the hilly section. I was a bit tired by the time I finally reached it, but I did arrive at Highgate Cemetery. I took a 2:30 p.m. tour of the East Cemetery and got to see the grave sites of Karl Marx, George Eliot, and Douglas Adams, as well as a multitude of other notable people. It was really an amazing looking place, though quite overgrown due to years of neglect. After that was over with I took a tour of the West Cemetery, which was even more impressive. The guide was really good and told us some interesting stories about the cemetery. I was very impressed with how personal and intricate some of the tombstones were. Again though, the cemetery was quite overgrown. It really was a rather creepy place though. There were once rumors about a vampire living in Highgate and really, I could see how things like that get started. It was strange to see pictures of how well manicured the plots there used to be, and then see what they are now. It seems more like this hallowed, elaborate cemetery in the middle of the woods.
Once I finally got back to the dorms I rested and ate a bit of dinner. I then walked down the street to find either some pastries or some ice cream. I met a bunch of the other folks in the dorms who were just getting back from seeing Stonehenge. I personally have no interest in seeing it, but they said it was pretty cool. I ended up having to buy some ice cream from a nearby new stand. It wasn't particularly good, but it satisfied my cravings. We then came back to the dorms and sat around telling stories and just being goofy. After that, Donald and I went out and picked up some newspapers for our class this week. We also decided that on our last night here we'd like to splurge and eat a really nice, expensive meal (nothing TOO expensive, but something nice) out somewhere where we'd have to dress up and really be able to just relax and enjoy ourselves. So, that leaves something to look forward to.
Overall, I feel today went really well. I learned a lot and experienced a lot. Photos of today's travels can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8494714@N03/
Just as a quick note: I did not upload any photos of Highgate Cemetery that show headstones or anything like. Although many of them are quite marvelous, out of respect for the deceased, because my Flickr account can be viewed by anyone, I felt it would be inappropriate to have people's headstones available for viewing. But, I did take about 150 photographs in there and I'm sure I'll show them to some folks later.
