"In high school, I formed The Anarchy Society. It's sad when your youthful dreams don't pan out."
The following twitter convo ensued between Rosanne, myself, and another twitter friend, Jen Deaderick:
Me: I formed a club in high school called "Out is In". #patheticbutfun
Rosanne: cute
Me: Our greatest "achievement" was in frustrating the "in" girls during P.E., & being made to remove our "Out is In" badges. #lame
Rosanne: nice. OUR greatest achievement was electing me senior princess to anguished consternation of jocks.
Jen: In 7th grade, I picketed against the popular girls for being popular. #truelamefact
This got me thinking about how we handle diversity in our younger years. Clearly, in ways we couldn't as adults. Back then we could use dramatic gestures and even good-natured antics to make a statement. Did we change the world through these actions? Not in a grand way but we changed our own little worlds in some way, and I think that’s important.
And today when we see these gestures, these incremental changes, I think we should celebrate them. I love that my daughter’s twitter bio currently states, “I'm a weirdy, and I like it.” She’s not shy about sharing who she is with the world. She does it with wit and humor, and often lets others see that being imperfect is human and just fine, thank you very much. In her age group I think there are many who acknowledge we don’t all have to be alike to be accepted. In 2008 my daughter's high school elected a gay prom king. And it wasn’t done in a satirical or mocking way. He was a respected member of the school population.
Obviously it's not the same everywhere. And as we well know, intolerance and bullying still exist; often with fatal results. In another post (Let Somewhere Be Here) I share my feelings more on that. And I in no way want to minimize the pain and suffering so many have and do experience. But I’m going to be on the lookout for more of these signs of hope. More of these voices of dissent that say, “No…it’s not okay to treat me or anyone else with disrespect just because we’re different.”
Thanks Jen and Rosanne for reminding me about that voice inside me that once shouted “Out is IN!” Thanks for inspiring me to continue to listen for this voice in others.
Do you hear this voice in yourself or others? I’d love to hear about it.
8 comments:
Mama to a 15 year old self-proclaimed "nerd" as in a good cool one not a ridiculed one.
So much work to do to have different really be good. Different really is good!
Geez at first I thought this might be about belly buttons....
AHhhh, tolerance. I am happy my son is not afraid to be who he wants to be and to express himself as such. And with that, comes the opportunity to learn to cope with others' levels of tolerance. Not always easy. The reward? Being appreciated. Fortunately there is opportunity for that as well.
Whether you happen to be an "out-y" or an "in-y".
The events in Bahrain reminded me of some similar events in my life, as your essay is timely:
http://tiny.cc/aumpq
Joe - thanks for that. I thought about Bahrain (and other situations) but it felt too lofty for me to say. Glad you made the connection and said it.
Loved this Sue! When I was in high school I referred to myself as a "negative non-conformist." I refused to follow the crowd and buy whatever was in fashion. I was most comfortable then, as I am still, in a pair of blue jeans and a T-shirt. I will never be first in line a whatever movie we are supposed to want to see or read whatever is on the current bestsellers list.
There are signs that I also may be inspiring someone else. My youngest neice, Allyson, was telling someone about her family. She was telling what we all did in life. When she got to me she said, "My Aunt Mary does exactly what she wants!" Although that is not always entirely true, as none of us can truly do that, her perception made me smile.
Mary - Love hearing that about your niece. It's a real joy when those around you see you for who you are.
I love the group names. In the late 60s, when my uncle was in high school, he and his friends formed a group called the Royal Order of Angry Young Men (they just called themselves the R.O.A.Y.M.)... I'm not sure what their purpose was, but I know they still talk about it 40 years later!
Excellent... may we always hear that voice that's in us all. I hope it never grows dull.
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