The Declaration of Independence is a lie. We are definitely not treated as equals and if you feel otherwise, stop lying to yourself.
But where we all differ in upbringing, financial situations, and potential, we all share one common value - our faith. Whether you're a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Tom Cruise, or simply believe in yourself, faith can carry you through the day, keep your head up and your wrists intact for the morrow.
Without faith, we are nothing but drones in a rudimentary existence, living for nothing but an inevitable end. So we cherish what we are and believe in. Every now and then though, we land on those days that have been pegged as key in the calendar: days of extraordinary meaning.
We spend these days praising the higher being or savior, or reflecting on the meaning behind our faiths. Most importantly, we spend this time with our families remembering why it is that we believe.
So what happens when the school that you go to basically says that one day of class is more important than a key component and celebration of your religion?
You're left with two choices: comply or revolt. As I'm here with my proverbial pen, and since I've always been able to write it better than you felt it, out come my feelings.
As a member of the student body at UB, one is not often greeted with a day off. Even when the October storm occurred and trees, power lines and homes were left in shambles, the higher-ups were still reluctant to cancel class. It's nice to see how compassionate and understanding our leaders are.
But what are the days that we actually do get off? Labor day, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving and Martin Luther King Day. That's it. Christmas and Easter both strategically fall on non-school days. In that way we get most of the Christian holidays off, without them literally being granted.
We don't get national holidays like President's Day off, but so be it. Apparently those in charge of this university don't seem to care. I wasn't aware that this was communist Russia.
But what happens when one of the most meaningful days of the Christian faith falls on a school day? That's right, your beliefs best be put aside for a backpack and pen, as the only thing you'll be enjoying during your daylight hours are lectures and power-pointed jargon that is in no way as meaningful as your faith.
Every year, Good Friday comes and goes without being granted off for students. The date of the crucifixion of our Christ, one of the most important events in the Christian faith, goes unnoticed and unappreciated by the university. Those like myself, who do believe, are stuck in school, forced to forgo their beliefs in the name of the almighty Simpson. If our beliefs are in Christ, the administration's are in Barabbas.
And as for the so-called rule of excused religious observation, I am here to say that it is more or less meaningless. Professors always give their lectures, classes always meet, and assignments are given out and collected. Even if you take the day of, as it is your right, you will still suffer. Hooray excused religious observation!
So what happens? Will my words change anything? Probably not, but as long as they cause someone to think about what's going on, as long as someone out there with or without my system of beliefs can pick up this paper and realize that someone else feels exactly the way they do, then everything that I have said has been worth it.
The truth is ugly; accepting it is brutal. In the end it is that truth that will set you free, lock you up, or if you're lucky, land you Good Friday with your family and your faith.
Take a stand. Embrace your faith and please, no matter what you believe in, don't let anyone prevent you from praising and celebrating whatever it is that makes you be.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
