Personal Essays

Driving Jitters-A Short Narrative Essay

The journey into driving was a long one for me. The funny thing is, it didn’t start off like that. No more than 3 days after I turned 16, I went to write my practical test to get my G1 license. I did not take this test lightly either. I studied for weeks from the driving manual and online tests. I made sure I was prepared. Preparing for my actual driving test however, was another story.

Although I had my G1 and could drive while a parent was in the car, I didn’t drive often. In fact, in the couple months after getting my G1, I had only driven maybe 3 times and only in empty parking lots. I wasn’t too bothered; it wasn’t something I was worried about. None of my friends had their G2’s so I felt like I wasn’t missing out on anything... yet.

Months and months go by, I have been meaning to sign up for driving school but never do. In fact, it wasn’t until a year after I got my license that I signed up for in car lessons. I had done my 25 hours of in class work over the march break the following year after I got my G1, so by the time I had my in-car lessons it was about a full year later. Still I wasn’t bothered, none of my friends had their G2’s either.

Now, I was never fully comfortable driving. I was always anxious and over though everything. I would get nervous and not know when to stop or go, or when to turn or speed up. I even failed my practice driving test. Needless to say, driving was not for me.

As more and more people at my school got their license I felt a little left out but didn’t like driving too much anyway. I would only drive a few short distances, uncomfortable each time.

Then another year later, my friends could drive, and I couldn’t, and I was going away downtown for school. So, I decided to take my test. Somehow, I passed, driving in the pouring rain and very nervous. Then I didn’t drive again, until a couple months later when I returned for Christmas break.

It was almost like an overnight change; I took my mom's car out all on my own and actually felt comfortable and not nervous! It was then when I realized everyone achieves things at their own pace, while my friends felt comfortable driving I didn’t, that was okay. It took me 3 years to be able to drive comfortably on my own, I know now that’s okay.

A Thought on Horoscopes

While reading the newspaper or on a news site, there is always one section that is not news. In fact, its accuracy is debatable.

We all know what I’m talking about: horoscopes. Based on the day you were born, you are assigned a sign. Mine is Gemini. Here I am reading today’s news, and there it is, my horoscope:

“You usually lead others, but at present another person can distill your and others’ views to create a positive map to success. A higher-up or authority figure might be more observant than you think. Tonight: Sort through invitations, then decide who gets a yes.”

What the heck does that mean? Clearly, some person at this news organization knows my life better than I do. How am I being controlled by the sun, stars and planets when I have my own free will, or do I? I must admit I am flattered they called me a leader, but they also took it away within the first sentence.

Wait, so does this mean all Geminis in the world are going through the same struggle as I am right now? Wouldn’t I have heard about it? I’ve got to warn my fellow Geminis of their impending flood of invitations to go out and authority figures breathing down their necks.

This also implies, by reading other signs horoscopes I can instantly know other people’s problems. For example, here’s Cancer’s horoscope for today:

“Reach out for an associate or co-worker whom you enjoy brainstorming with. The two of you could concoct an odd but successful plan. Surprise surrounds how easily the nearly impossible becomes possible. Tonight: Errands and exercise.”

Good to know my Mom, Dad, best friend and grandfather are all running errands and exercising tonight. I’ll be sure to ask them how it went.

People plan their whole lives around their horoscope when there is zero science behind it at all. Sure it is fun but putting it in with the news might give people the wrong impression.

Let's Cancel, Cancel Culture: An Opinion piece

Have you ever done something you regret? Chances are the answer is “yes.”

Now think about being fired or permanently shamed by your community because of it. This is the reality for many celebrities and public figures. Having an event from their past, even if it’s just one, can shape how they are thought of today.

This can result in public shaming, boycotting and overall negative attention.

This is known as cancel culture. It is toxic and creates a world where people are defined by their mistakes.

Cancel culture encourages people to rush to judgment and is often based on one mistake or event. It does not consider any good actions or recent activities but focuses on one comment or action.

Some public figures that have been “cancelled” include Kevin Hart, James Charles and Kanye West. Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau felt the toxic effects of cancel culture.

While some like West, have had a history of controversies and poor decisions, others like Hart have not.

It is important to hold public figures accountable for their actions and mistakes but when we don’t give someone another chance, cancel culture becomes toxic.

Justified or not, too many people are getting caught up in this new cancel craze.

Hart was set to host the 2019 Oscars when tweets from 10 years ago surfaced.

These tweets included homophobic sentiments. Even after saying he would not repeat the jokes from his tweets of 2015, Hart was banned from hosting the Oscars.

Hart apologized for his tweets after they surfaced, but did not go on to host the Oscars.

How can we expect to learn and grow if we do not give others that chance?

Hart has not said anything homophobic since and has issued multiple apologies. If actions and apologies are not enough, then what is?

Hart is now associated with the term “homophobic”. Hart will never be better than this moment in time.

This is not a message we want to send. This is not holding public figures accountable. It is holding them back.

Someone we definitely want to hold accountable is our Prime Minister.

Recently, pictures of a 30-year-old Trudeau wearing blackface have surfaced. This was followed by cries of racism.

While the use of blackface should be criticized, calling Trudeau racist is based on these incidents from a decade ago.

Will Trudeau ever be better than this moment in time?

Trudeau issued a swift apology and addressed the issue. He acknowledged he was in the wrong and has shown that he has grown. If actions do truly speak louder Than words, Trudeau’s got them to back him up.

Trudeau has repeatedly shown his support for minorities in Canada, something people are forgetting in the wake of this scandal. Under his government, he has issued over three-hundred thousand permanent resident cards per year.

Does all this need to be thrown away over actions ten years ago?

It takes less time to see someone’s mistake and judge them based on that than it does to take the time to step back and research the person.

This is why cancel culture is so dangerous, it is easy to retweet and hold onto a headline than it is to look at the whole picture.

This creates a toxic environment where people are not allowed to grow. But are instead forever defined by their past actions and mistakes.

Society should strive for a world where we can learn and grow from our mistakes, not one that holds us back.