Introducing Myself - EnlightenedServant (hey, don't laugh!)

(Introduction)
Salaams everyone. I've been lurking on this site since the Mike Brown shooting & the epic thread on the 1st Ferguson protests/crackdowns, but finally decided to join in some discussions.

Ok, so about me. Uhhh, hmmm... This is a lil awkward. It's like I'm on a date (wzup ladies). Ah, I know: I'm an African American male, a Muslim, a socialist (for the most part), a vegetarian, and a musician/activist/slacker. I have a lame sense of humor & can be childish in real life, but people usually miss my jokes & sometimes find me combative.

It sounds like an oxymoron, but really it's just that I try to understand all sides to an issue, then call things like I see them once I've reached my conclusion. So I have no problem admitting when an opponent's side is correct or when an ally's side is wrong. This can sometimes ruffle feathers because I don't tend to give the answers people expect or want to hear. Or as Napoleon supposedly said, "I take advice from all sides, but in the end, my head is my only council."

Anyways, I was content to stay a lurker but I was compelled to finally join b/c of a massive amount of misinformation I've noticed about my religion, Islam. So I'll try to answer any questions as best I can & clear up any misconceptions, if possible. Oh yeah, I dabble in global politics (though it's mainly a series of intertwining charades) & love conspiracy theories (i don't believe most but anyone who doesn't believe people conspire to do unethical things is deluding themselves).

Anyway, that's all I can think of so uhhh, yeah.

What's up EO? Good intro!! Welcome to the posting world of ATS. Here's some welcome splash for your intro page.

Don't take it seriously. Like most of us here ... you'll never find your way out of the pit now.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say (even if I don't agree with you ... a little, a lot, or often).

a reply to: Snarl

Thanks. I usually check the new threads daily & there are a lot of really intelligent discussions here (i'm observing 2 good ones right now on anti-racism & not becoming what you hate). I've also read some disturbing & sometimes infuriating comments, but that's life.

I look forward to hearing what you have to say as well

a reply to: enlightenedservant

That's good to know.

If you've been around since Ferguson, you'll also be aware your introduction will mostly go 'uncommented on' posting at this hour. It doesn't mean you're not welcome, but that you become part of the crew I like to refer to as the denizens of night (my daytime ... muwahahaha).

See you on the boards, brother.

a reply to: Snarl

Thanks. And it's fine. I figure it'll take some time before I get used to posting anyway, since I'm used to simply reading the conversations.

Welcome, get ur 20 post in on ur introduction so u can start posting topics!

a reply to: neomaximus10

Lol, yeah I've started posting a little in other threads. The only threads I can imagine starting later would be either "fact sheets about Islam from an actual Muslim" or maybe an "ask me anything & i'll answer unless it's trolling" -type of thread. Or maybe a "tips & tricks for going vegetarian".

Welcome!

That was an excellent intro and I plan to use it against you in the future!

I know about Islam as much as I know about women. Practically nothing. I may lurk in those threads as I still am only comfortable embarrassing myself in front of women.

Here was a recent news story about a 'Meet a Muslim' program started in Canada, my neck of the woods.

montrealgazette.com...

Looked like a hell of a good idea.

Greetings from Japan!



We're all a little crazy here. You'll fit right in. Just be prepared to stand up for what you believe in, and speak with an open heart. Reading your intro post, I don't think you'll have any problems.

Go forth, brave soldier! Post!

a reply to: noeltrotsky

Thanks! You can ask me virtually anything about Islam. Though I won't lie & I don't know something, I'll tell you that lol.

For starters though, I'd say people should remember that there are at least 1.7billion Muslims globally. That's almost the entire combined populations of 4 continents: North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. There are many different denominations, sub-denominations, schools of thought within those sub-denominations, etc. And each group officially accepts different scriptures (though all accept the Qur'an).

And most Muslims are like Christians in the sense that the we're more focused on daily life than memorizing every religious edict, ruling, conference, etc. In fact, many Muslims don't even have a Qur'an, which is why some poor non-practicing Muslims can get sucked in extremism. It's like the poor American Christians who get sucked into KKK type bigotry, even though the Prophet Jesus' words are the opposite of racism.

a reply to: ScientificRailgun

And thanks to you as well. I don't wanna sound dumb, but I may end up asking you some questions about Japanese culture some day. I've read a ridiculously large amount of anime & I don't know how much is true lol.

Wow that makes me sound really dumb. Ok, I know the shounen special powers & the such aren't real, but I mean the mannerisms & subcultures ("yankiis", the "ossu" saying etc). I've tried to learn the differences in how different aged/ranked people are greeted, like -chan, -san/-kun, -sempai, -dono, -sama, etc, but I don't know how serious people take it. And is it true that "quietness" or "not being loud" is valued a lot in society? sorry about all of the questions

a reply to: enlightenedservant

Are you saying all Muslims don't think the same way? Just like Women?

Oh boy...this is going to be difficult.

Hello and welcome!

a reply to: enlightenedservant

LOL You're fine. I'm not a Japan native, I'm an ex-pat from the U.S. but I've been here long enough I could answer some of your questions. Regarding the honorifics (-chan/-san/etc) they're pretty widely used. Generally, not using an honorific when speaking to someone can be seen as rude unless you're really good friends or something. I can explain the differences between certain honorifics if you're curious.

There is certainly value in being reserved in Japan. Naturally we're kind of a quiet people. But there are definitely exceptions. For instance if you go to any restaurant in Japan you're almost always greeted with a loud いらっしゃいませ! And the orders are also usually yelled to the cooks, etc.

Also at social gatherings or team building events, things can get VERY loud. It's a chance to cut loose and really get to know your peers.

a reply to: noeltrotsky

LOL Yeah, that sounds about right. It's better to just think of us as "people" than any sort of group, b/c we're all individuals. As for ladies, the main thing I'd say is just to treat them w/respect & see them as members of the community first. They'll start to notice your respect for them & someone will eventually break the ice w/you. Just remember respect 1st!

a reply to: Night Star

Hello & thanks for the greeting!

a reply to: ScientificRailgun

Yeah that makes sense about the social gatherings. But I figured the large cities didn't care too much amount honorifics b/c they were so used to tourists, international firms, globalization, etc. Then again, maybe that's just showing manners to us since they know we don't know any better? I'm probably over-thinking it.

originally posted by: enlightenedservant
a reply to: ScientificRailgun

Yeah that makes sense about the social gatherings. But I figured the large cities didn't care too much amount honorifics b/c they were so used to tourists, international firms, globalization, etc. Then again, maybe that's just showing manners to us since they know we don't know any better? I'm probably over-thinking it.

Oh certainly nobody in the bigger cities expects tourists to be polite and use honorifics, if they can speak any Japanese at all. But in every day life, outside of the tourism and all that, the honorifics are still important. It's funny, because I look VERY American, a lot of people I first interact with are pretty surprised that I use the honorifics and speak decent Japanese. It's especially funny when you meet someone and they try to talk to you in english at first.

I live in Tokyo (Itabashi to be specific), so anytime I go downtown I'm treated like a tourist.

a reply to: enlightenedservant

Hi to everyone. I have just joined the ATS comunity and wanted to post a new thread. How do I go about it? many Thanks x

a reply to: Bendog

Welcome! I think we can only post new threads in this "Introductions" sub-forum until we've reached 20 posts. You can reply to any thread though. So basically, go to the Introductions forum & start a new thread introducing yourself. Then post in threads that interest you until you hit 20 posts.

I hope that helps