Destiny's blog 8/26

On Monday, I, along with a few members of the group, attended a seminar called “Religion and Politics.” The discussion regarded the separation between church and state. However, as the presentation progressed, religion became the main discussion. The speakers consisted of Minister Adam Taylor, the first Jewish State Treasurer of Kentucky, Jonathan Miller, and many more. The basic message that the speakers were trying to get across was: regardless of the religion of others, we must reach out without using religion as an instrument to gain votes. It was said that we should look at each other as neighbors and we can disagree without being disagreeable. The group also emphasized that people are in constant discussion of cliché topics and ignoring other equally as important issues. HIV, poverty, voting and abortion were some subjects that they believed can polarize people and the rates will not change until we talk to each other.

We also had the opportunity to attend “Unconventional Women.” The women speakers were a very educated and involved group who emphasized the importance of being a strong woman. Perhaps the most interesting woman who spoke was Sheila Jones, CEO of Salamander Hospitality and America’s first black woman billionaire. She has been working for years to involve women in voting and registering. Her message was so inspiring that it made you proud to be a woman and gave hope to the crowd that if we speak out, we can make a change and be treated equal in every way.

After the events, we were heading toward the train station and ran into a protest. Although I am not one to enjoy conflict, however, I couldn’t help but to stand up for what I believe in. I could say that I was civil, but that would be a lie. After Dr. Turner and a SWAT member pulled me away from the sexist anti-Christ, we were on our way to the hotel.

I know that no matter where you go, you meet interesting people. However, in all of my travels, everyone falls short to a man that approached me on the train. He explained that his name was Nathan Zillionaire and he was mentally disabled. He said that he received four bachelor’s degrees at Duke University, and he lived in a mansion. He told us, and I quote, “I’m pretty much the smartest person in Denver.”
Needless to say, Monday was an incredibly strange but wonderful day.
-DN-