Unpleasantly "Woke"

   In today's culure it's hard not to stumble through something that makes you aware. Your ignorant mind comes across a situation that is unethical or you discover an unknown term. You decide to research further, create an opinion, and then add it to the list of things you're already conscious of. Question is, does being informed of your problematic surroundings help or hurt your mental state?
   Speaking on a personal level would best answer the question at hand. As I have grown through the summers so has my world views. Things that were never troublesome to my naive mind, now become triggers. Topics of racism, feminism, immigration, the lgbtq+, gap in the class structure, incarceration rate, and so much more have tickled my mind and made an everlasting impression. I am no longer capable of tolerating sexist comments made towards women. Transphobia or homophobia can not be uttered in my viscinity. The statement "All Lives Matter"...well that never ends well.
  Being "woke" as we now call it, has become a bittersweet label. The beauty of understanding the world and all those oppressed makes it as enjoyable as reading a good book.Yet the capability of inappropriate situations ruining what you once found entertaining is painstakingly cruel. I cannot express the amount of times I have tried to watch an old favorite tv show, book, or movie without finding all the errors that reside inside of it. I once was a girl who adored the Fifty Shades of Grey series, losing sleep from hours of reading the erotic novel. That same girl attempted to once again read the page turning book, only to come up short with patriarchal texts, emotional abuse, and disgust for my younger self's views. I do not regret my "wokeness" from interfering because the writing alone was as bad as the content. Even my favorite tv show Friends has a few triggers here and there. Being able to laugh one minute at Phoebe's comments, then  confused at the male characters constant need to validate their masculinity is tiring. Becoming someone who is socially aware makes you question why the world is so exasperating and why your classmates do not change their questionable ways. Being this well informed might cause someone to ask, is it even possible to live a happy life with this much knowledge?
   The answer to that: it all depends on you. As a person you choose to live a happy life. I definitely do not let it stop me from bumping to hip hop or any of my favorite tv shows. As I jam to Hotline Bling I'm not listening to Drake tell me how mad he is that is girl is independent and decides to have fun. No, I listen to the beat and how nice it sounds. I keep myself enlightened of the content and stick to what I believe in, but I wont let that be an obstacle of realizing a good beat. Be able to step out of the vexatious and listen to that Future or Drake. To be woke is to be conscious. It holds more benefits than defects. But if asked if I wished I still carried a lack of knowledge in things, I'll say "I try not too hibernate because social issues are far more important than my comfort in ignorance."

Looking Through My Lens

   To describe myself is difficult and to enjoy doing it is even more strenuous. But since not giving up is one of my many traits I will give it a go.
    My name is Ashula. Long story how that came about but if you are up for endless coffee dates then you  might just hear it. I am a 17 year old in-denial procrastinator that at first glance might seem to have their live together. I live messy and I am proud of it. My biggest talent is being able to think on the spot in stress inducing situations. I don't know how many times I will need that but it's seems to have helped me so far. I'd like to say I am an avid yogi who regularly eats healthy and workouts four times a week, but that would as much of a lie as my jean size.
   I should get down to the real reason I created this blog. I wanted to have a platform that would allow me to voice my opinions on the world and it's ongoing issues. You might think "well who wants to hear your opinions? Everyone has them, what makes yours so different?". Although that is true, I feel as though I bring a novel perspective. Rarely do you see teens being engaged in rising matters affecting our nation; however there has been an encouragement of it. I want to be part of a movement that promotes individualism and self-thought. This blog is a leverage for self-expression regarding my views on critical events; whether it be religion, policies, racial marginality, class detachment, gender inequalities, or any other contentious topic.
   It is crucial to discuss these issues and be able to have clear understandings of what they signify. The only way we will progress is if we are willing to learn and express anything obscure to our daily thoughts. I hope you will join me in prospering and enlightening our mind by looking through my lens.