Wow, I have no idea when this was asked, but I have an answer.

We discussed this a lot in several of my classes, and everyone has a different answer. My answer has always firmly been a realist. Idealists seem to take people out of the equation. They think that we will somehow stop all forms oppression everywhere, and that's just not true. I don't mean to sound cynical, I just know it's not going to happen. Idealists also seem to think they have all the answers. They come up with simple solutions to every problem, as if every dilemma is so black and white. They can't seem to accept complexity, and every issue we're facing is so extremely complex. There are no simple answers. Of course, that's just what I've seen. Maybe idealists are the answer - maybe as a realist I will burn out much faster than my idealist friends. It's very possible.

I think I'll last longer, though, because I don't have any dreams to disappoint. I have something of an idea as to how people
work, and people aren't going to let me down. I'm not looking at life through rose colored glasses. Shit's tough and people are mean sometimes. My job will never be easy and things will probably hardly ever go my way. At least I won't be struggling
with that later.

I'm sorry if none of that made any sense.