Okay... This isn't ALL related... But, well, my best friend wrote it for our school newspaper (I love him to death, 'cause I would NEVER write so freely about my sexuality), and I thought you guys might want to read it.
Standing Out ? But not in a Good Way
By ? James Martinez
They say that high school is the time that you truly discover who you really are? too bad everyone else sets you apart because of their stereotypes. It?s difficult to be an individual here, not only because of the dress code, but even more so because of how people learn to file you out and stereotype for one reason or another. You all know what I?m talking about.
Let?s see? here we seem to look at everyone, and based on how they act and who they hang out with, we file them as: preps, jocks, goths, punks, geeks, nerds, losers, the ?confused,? easy, or what-have-you. Everyone seems to think this is okay, and technically, it is. It helps us to recognize who we should and shouldn?t associate with in order to retain a place in our social group. Sounds messed up, eh? Well guess what? You do it too, but I?m not here to tell you how high school social classes work, just giving you a bit of insight before the big stuff comes into play!
Since I came out about 2 years ago (so yes, I?m gay), things have gotten progressively odd, and it just doesn?t make since to me. All of the guys here, given the exception of those with an open mind and sense, seem to find it repulsive that I am this way, but why should it matter? People here are way too discriminatory, simply because of what they automatically assume about people based on their race or sexual preferences. Because I?m gay, guys seem alarmed and negatively moved. Why is this?
Well, because of how guys are brought up, they think being homosexual is wrong (in a sense) which leads to the thought ?He?s gay and that?s gross. He likes guys, so he?s going to hit on me,? which in turn seems to give them the instinct to insult and belittle. For anyone of you guys who think this or do this, I have one thing to say to you, ?You think too highly of yourself. Gay guys only like other gay guys, and if you?re not going to keep an open mind, it?s best for you to keep a closed mouth.? Besides, you might end up picking a fight, and when you lose, it won?t look good on your part that you got beat up by a (insert whatever you decide to call me). What you don?t seem to realize is that we?re not, and can?t, change how we are, so you?re not accomplishing anything except making yourself look like a jerk. Way to go.
It doesn?t only apply to being gay. Like if you wear all black, you?re suddenly a gothic kid, who sits at home crying and considering suicide, spending free time cutting your wrists and writing sad poetry. Perhaps if you?re an African-American and you wear long t-shirts and huge jewelry, you?re more than likely an Ebonics speaking, under educated, undedicated kid, who listens to nothing but rap and hip-hop, sitting in class and whispering to your ?peeps? on how boring the teachers are. I?m not saying you are that way, but rather saying that this is how people view you because of how they?ve learned to judge. No, this doesn?t mean you should change, but more like correct them by giving them an actual impression of whom you truly are.
I?m very guilty of stereotyping, and I?m not going to deny it. I commonly will classify you as a prep if you wear Abercrombie and Fitch, or Hollister, and you walk around being ditzy and making fun of the ?losers.? I then discriminate the preps and insult them behind their back. I?m not the only one who feels this way, a select few of you who are reading this understand what I mean. There?s a lot more to how you see a prep than just what they wear.
What I?m getting at is simple though. You shouldn?t stereotype and make fun of people for reasons you feel are justified. Until you actually get to know the person you?re thinking less of, you should just keep your thoughts to yourself instead of spreading them around, ruining that person?s reputation. In the long run, karma will come to pass, and you?ll be sorry you?d ever opened your trap.
If you consider yourself at the top of the popularity ladder, be aware that you really aren?t. No matter who you are, there?s someone here who has something against you, no matter how big or small the reason may be. It?d be a lot easier to finish high school and learn who you are if people would just get along. Consider spreading out, and not just staying around an environment you feel you know and are safe in. Who knows? Maybe you?ll become a friend with the most unlikely person?
Lovely article, ne...? oo; Yeah, I know. >>; He writes like he talks, so there are a few typos and grammer mistakes, but I thought it was really great.
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