What is your (intended) major/career? My declared major is Rhetoric, and at present I have no specific career aspirations. I have been toying with stage or production management in theater, law, writing, teaching, dance, or just sitting around playing with cats.
What issues are you most interested in (women's rights, education, racism, advancement of science, the environment, etc)? I am not so much interested in specific issues as I am in discussing and understanding why and how those issues came to be "issues" at all. Why is stem cell research so controversial? Why aren't there more homeless services in the urban areas that need them? With more open dialogue, with more thoughtful questioning and less blind faith-- questioning both of one another in the blogging community and of people in the public at large-- I think fewer issues would become textbook political platforms and more would become marks of progress. That said, I do tend to participate in discussions mostly on homelessness, housing, stem cell research, family, and same-sex marriage.
What advice do you have for other bloggers? Advice? Be honest, logical, and passionate. Be clear and succinct. Represent yourself as you'd like to be remembered. Most importantly, be well-informed, but keep your mind and heart open. And take everyone's advice with a large grain of salt, especially a grain large enough to compensate for terrible clichés, which should be avoided like the plague.
Are you in school, and if so, what year are you? I am a third year undergraduate at UC Berkeley.
If you had to describe yourself (or your blog) in one word what would it be? Indecisive. Am I supposed to explain why? Well, I thought at first that "bitter" would well-describe my blogs, until I realized that some are really not bitter at all. "Witty," "genius," and "feline" just didn't fit. Basically, I couldn't decide, and probably never will, so I should just decide on "indecisive." Does that count as a decision?
What's your favorite news source? I try to read as many sources from as many places as possible, but the ones I read at least once a day are the Associated Press, the San Francisco Chronicle, and BBC World News.
Out of all your blogs, which is your favorite? "My mother's daughter," "The Importance of Being kfed," and "When homelessness crosses the line" are my top three, I think, because each illustrates part of my style. I like "My mother's daughter" because it represents the first time I've been that open about my relationship with my mother, ever. Also, because my mom would kill me (with guilt, of course. Hi, Mom!). "The Importance of Being kfed," despite its factual errors-- Part II explains them-- just felt good, both writing it and with the response it received at the time. Lastly, "When homelessness crosses the line" is one of my more 'issue specific' posts that was just a panicked frenzy about the homeless guy in my apartment building. I probably wouldn't have written it later, because, hello, I am so totally more calm and collected than that, but in retrospect, I appreciate that blogging can embrace both the impulse writer and the thoughtful essayist.
Who has helped shape your opinion on politics/social justice issues? In short, everyone. I make considerable effort to observe what my family, friends, and the news say, and adapt and shape my opinion accordingly. I do research facts and other opinions, though, if I want to publicize my thoughts.
How are you active in politics/seeking social justice in your community? In my own way. I believe dialogue, whether verbal or written, is key in making a difference in politics and achieving social justice. That dialogue creates awareness, which is usually precisely the wake-up call people need to become socially and politically active themselves.
What is your favorite article of clothing and why? Coats are pretty fashionable and practical: they're warm and protect more delicate fashionable clothing from the elements.
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