Cari Jennings

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Single

Highschool

Oakland High School

i wonder...

August 04 2006

so. sometimes i wonder about DBS.


last night, i had firmly decided not to go the dance, mostly because everytime i go, i end up standing there watching other people dance, while simultaneously wondering what i'm doing there. but in the end, i decided to go, because i wasn't really feelin sitting in Bellecino's. so i get there, i talk to a few people, pausing every now and then to observe. and as i observe, i notice how many girls i see grinding/humping/generally molesting these guys, who obviously have no qualms with it. and then i see girls just dancing like a non-skank. and the biggest surprise is, some go to church with me, some go to other churches on a regular basis. yet they seem to have no problem with totally whoring out. 


now, don't get me wrong, because i have NO problem with dancing. in fact, i don't even have as much of a problem with "those" girls. but man, it just makes me sad. now, i may not be "popular" with the guys (and with those guys, i wouldn't want to be...), and no, i don't dance at all and i'm not jealous of them. i just find it awfully ironic that women fought for so long to have rights, and to become equal to men in our society, just so that we can throw ourselves onto and degrade ourselves in the sight of men??? people say to me, "but it's fun, and i love it, so why not? i'm not having sex with these guys, so what's the harm?" the harm is the image you give off. i don't think we should go back to the days of petticoats, corsets, and strict fundamentalism, but gahlee. where do we draw the line? 


and it's not just the girl's fault either. guys, start respecting women. didn't anyone ever teach you any better? it's not all your responsibility, but geez. if you tell a girl (whether vocally or with your actions) that being a slut is what makes her attractive and worth your time, then you don't deserve to have her. i know that you all are a visual bunch, and that you are going to think about it on a pretty consistent basis, but you do not have to be slaves to lust. especially if you are in Christ.


no, i don't know what it's like to be in a mature, adult relationship, but i've sure seen what it's not like. sex and/or related activities do not make you an adult or more desireable. girls and guys alike, you are selling yourselves short! there is more to life than constantly worrying about how you look, or if he/she is paying attention to you. i know this sounds cliche, but if he or she doesn't treat you like the valuable person you are, he or she doesn't deserve you. seeing so many relationships from the outside looking in, i've really learned a lot of what i don't want.


also, what on earth is wrong with some people? last night for the first time, upon seeing the videos for "Ms. New Booty" and "Laffy Taffy", i left the dance. i just came from church, for goodness sake. i know i sound like an old lady, but gahlee. it was just sinful. that's the only word i can think of. no, i don't think that people that watch BET and MTV are all going to hell. but it was just a slap in the face of Christ. i thought about what He would think if He were standing beside me watching some of the stuff going on there. and it occured to me, that He was. He saw every bit of it, and i know that it hurt His heart. just as much as me yelling at my parents. just as much as me rolling my eyes  and judging a friend. so my point is, don't sell yourself short. you are all valuable, regardless of what you've done. much love to you all, and good night. ---Cari 

kelsey shearron

August 04 2006
awesome stuff cari

Britt Rogers

August 04 2006
girl. you're completely correct. too bad you probably lobbed me in there with the skanks. [which i wouldn't blame you for]. but. thank you for bringing this to the light for lots of girls. lovelove. -britt

Jennifer Hood

August 04 2006
i cannot tell you how much it encourages me to know that there are teenage girls who are willing to take a godly stand on those issues. I am so very proud of you and the wonderful example that you set. I love you!!

holly

August 04 2006
*tear*...woah, that was one good post, cari.

Christina

August 04 2006
I agree. I dislike the hypocrisy of people claiming to support "women's rights" who think that it's discriminatory to say that little girls like to play with dolls and yet have no qualms with girls who completly degrade themselves for guys. Those kind of dances/videos/songs are really just appealing to the men's basest nature, and in that nature women have no status except as sex objects. It's really a step backward for women, and yet even the "feminist" girls I know embrace that kind of dancing.

Garrett Haynes

August 04 2006
i agree, and i think dances are extremely awkward for those who are trying their best to stay pure in christ. They can still be fun though, if u let them bring out the idiot dancer in you lol. just keep it clean.

Elizabeth

August 04 2006
like Britt up there, youve probably grouped me with the skanks hah.. but I tried my absolutely best to keep my dancing as clean as possible wednesday night.. & I know for sure i was not grinding on any guy! haha.. I was just dancing with my friends having fun.. but not slutty dancing.. anyway! nice post.. its good you can be so open with what you believe.. sometimes thats the hardest thing to do.

Emily W.

August 04 2006
hey cari!! amen to everything you said. very awesome! i'm very proud of you for stepping it up and leaving. thats just awesome. i went to a dance party last night. one of my good church friends threw it. it was so fun. just a bunch of white kids basically trying to flail (sp?) on beat. its hard for me to back and forth from my church ppl dances to dbs dances and school proms. such a difference and its so sad. such a mess. hopefully i'll see you friday!!

trumpetjaz

August 04 2006
preach it, sister!

Amy

August 04 2006
Wow, amazing post. I would definitely have to agree. You have some great insight and wisdom. I know that there have been several times when I felt out of place because others' behavior bothered me because I knew it was unChristlike. And I believe that all Christians deal with that, because the Bible makes it clear that we are not like the world. Good word, good word.

Ben Moser

August 04 2006
yep. i did that once my freshman year. never since. abi coleman and i had the best time EVERRRRRRR at prom and we never thought about said dancing. we did laugh at those who were. it is quite funny. lol. but i encourage you to continue your sermons on this issue. people do listen to you, and if they dont then they are wacko. i love ya cari jennings!

Michael Border-Line Pronounceable

August 04 2006
Keep lovin' Christ, Cari. People are going to see the reflection of His Glory on you that comes from having a truly intimate relationship with Him. You're one cool girl, Cari Jennings!

Rachael Moore

August 04 2006
dang cari! amen! that made so happy reading that! i totally agree with everything you said. you know the best kind of dancing? the kind in the car singing to celine. that is the BEST! i miss you cari jennings. we should definitely hang out sometime. maybe you could come over and i could cook for you and we could watch a movie or something! let me know if you want to! love you!

Sarah

August 04 2006
well said cari.

GoaliChik

August 04 2006
you know i totally agree with you. i just dont understand why people choose to act like that. its disgusting. its kinda like we dont appreciate the respect GOD intended for us to have.

bonin4him

August 04 2006
"if he or she doesn't treat you like the valuable person you are, he or she doesn't deserve you" ~ i couldn't agree more! well said on all of it! i agree and i'm proud of you for standing up for those truths! love ya!

Beth Farrar

August 04 2006
u know, i don't even know u and i TOTALLY agree with u. the way some girls dance kills me. i went to a school dance and saw a guy sandwiched between two girls. and then these girls were all giggling and acting innocent. i'm sry but that ain't innocent.

the brian king kenobi

August 05 2006
good stuff, cari j

Leah!

August 05 2006
hey you know i have to agree with you cari.you are completely right.men need to respect women but women have to respect themselves aswell.good stuff cari you really got me thinking.

catelin

August 05 2006
Aloha! I dont even know you, but this post is such an eye-opener. We DO deserve better and the image women project nowadays is so twisted compared to how God sees us. Thank you for letting God use YOU to share this post. A lot of people, including myself, have probably been convicted..which is a good thing because we all need a wake up call for Jesus! Again, God is really using YOU! keep it up... Mahalo (thanks), Catelin

Drew Mitchell

August 14 2006
I love the post it was great