To Blog, or Not to Blog

     To blog, or not to blog, that is the question. It seems the answer is... "Tough crap! You have to!" At least according to some TEACHERS.
Here is where I'm having an issue. Is it right to "require" (aka "force") blogging, for a good grade in a class? Should writing out your thought and ideas, and sending them into the ether of cyberspace, make the difference between an A, or a crappy grade that will keep you out of the college of your choice? Personally, I say "Hell no!" What kind of self expression would you put into your writing, if you knew the teacher was going to make a hundred copies of your work, and post them up and down the halls of your school? I'm guessing you wouldn't be too anxious to show your sensitivity and insecurities, to the myriad of bullies and the entire football team. (unless high school has changed dramatically since I went there).
     Now, some people might use the argument that, "A profile can be private" Seriously, don't kid yourselves! I recently listened to an article, that was linked to, by an English teacher. This article was a multiple paragraph tirade on the uselessness of passwords, and internet security. It seems a little ironic then, that he would REQUIRE his students to place their work into such an unstable, and unsafe environment. You see my point? I think my comments to a recent post on his classroom blog, were deleted because of safety concerns. Fair enough! Maybe even a good idea. Parent's could be nervous about a subversive, or outspoken stranger interacting with their kids. I have a kid in the class btw, and I know there is no way to keep your kid in a bubble of innocence, but I understand their reasoning.
    I love blogging. Well, I love ranting really, and a blog gives me a way to do that without ranting to only my helpless family, and pets. I'm a rabble-rouser, and subversive by nature. To be honest, I might overdo it sometimes, hence my being banned from several public and private forums, both on the internet, and IRL. I have brought about change in a lot of situations though, and that makes it seem worthwhile, at least to me. I enjoy playing the devil's advocate, so sometimes I'll take the opposing view, just to be a pain in the ass. 
     The point I'm trying to make with this interminable diatribe, is that putting your writing, your thoughts, your ideas, into an electronic jungle of weirdos, perverts and unsafe passwords, should be OPTIONAL! If you're like me, and you don't give a damn who sees or comments on your stuff, then fine, have at it. Remember though, just because you're a high school kid, that doesn't give anyone the right to require you to share yourself with the world. It really doesn't. You all seem like geniuses to me, and I know you want to get into good colleges. It's never easy to question, or disagree with authority. I get that. I'm just saying, from my perspective, that I don't remember with fondness the times as a teenager, where I sat back, and went along with things because I felt I had to. What I remember now, are the times when I stood up for my opinions about what I thought was right, or wrong. Most importantly, I remember the times I stood up for others, when they were afraid to stand up for themselves. You have a choice, even now,  to make the kind of memories you'll be proud of. Choose wisely!