Appearances can be deceiving

I got a wake-up call Tuesday night, and in the most interesting of ways. I was forced to remember that appearances can be quite deceiving. There I was at home, watching Cartoon Network and writing a song when a friend sent me an instant message.\n"You watching Cartoon Network?" she asked.\n"Why yes, yes I am," I replied.\nI soon found out she was, in my mind, one of the most unlikely candidates to be an anime fan. I apologize in advance to anime fans for this, but my general impression of anime fans is that they were all short, bespectacled, T-shirt wearing fanboys (myself not being short or a T-shirt wearer, but bespectacled). My friend, however, is a very statuesque female who I'm pretty sure doesn't own any InuYasha T-shirts or Dragonball GT boxer shorts.\nThis paradox got me thinking about some of the other visual miscues I've seen. To most people, whether they know it or not, perception is reality, and their perceptions are based on a wide range of stimuli, from personal experiences to social influences to parental upbringing. So what may look one way to me might look completely different to someone else in the same position. \nYou say ehn-vel-ope; I say ahn-vel-ope. I say well-rounded; you say, "nerd!"\nThis bit of socio-science isn't news to most people. But sometimes clashes in perception can be pretty funny. Take for example my experience at the Asian Student Association's Halloween party last year. A friend who was a member took me to the ASA party, and when I walked in, my normally confident demeanor took a dive. I felt like Chris Tucker in the movie "Rush Hour." Being a black man at an Asian event is like taking Mike Tyson to a high school English class -- from first glance, it just doesn't look right. I was not in a costume and featuring a deer-in-headlights look.\nAdding to my displacement was the fact that I was one of seven or so people not dressed either as a character from "The Matrix" or one of the Crazy 88's from "Kill Bill." \nAsians depicting their own stereotypes by dressing up as yakuza is a whole other issue.\nVisual miscues happen during daily campus life, as well. I admonish myself every time I see Ugg boots, for I know if I don't shut myself up, I might insult someone. Uggs and the return of leg warmers may be the worst fashion trends since Cross Colors clothing. Kids, we're not supposed to relive the eras we were born in just yet. Wait 'til you're at least 30. But again: I say fashion travesty; you say "up yours."\nOn a national level, perceptions can be both funny and dangerous. In yet another deceiving piece of national importance, the series of presidential debates have been held at colleges, yet neither candidate has spent much time speaking to, visiting or even concerning himself with the issues college kids face. And we're supposed to get happy and rally around one of these guys?\nOn a slightly lighter note, The Associated Press released a story about a Catholic pharmacist in Wisconsin who wouldn't fill a girl's birth control prescription. He said he would be "suffering the worst kind of pain, spiritual pain," if he complied with her doctor-ordered prescription. Questionable, but whatever. He then proceeded to refuse to transfer her prescription to another pharmacy.\nHe says, "moral compass." I say, do your damn job or get out of the way.\nSo, in conclusion, if you perceive this column to be a worthwhile read, please send $20 to the Indiana Daily Student in Ernie Pyle hall, c/o George Lyle IV. \nI say, hey, you'd be helping a friend, and you say, "Only in Monopoly money"