The "F" Word | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The "F" Word

Choose Your Context Wisely

27
The "F" Word
Wikiwand

A few months ago, my mom and I were parked outside of a bank. I went in and carried on my bank business as usual. While I was in there, there was a teenager and her mother walking out and neither one of them looked very pleased. I couldn't tell you what the great disappointment was about since I didn't know their business, nor did I want to know. All I remember is how the teenager looked. I would guess she was around mid-teens, tall, awkward, and she had florescent orange hair in a bob, platform shoes, and a cute little Lolita style dress on. I really liked her outfit and overall presentation.

When I returned to my mother who was waiting in the car, she said to me, "Did you see that thing that walked out of the bank?" I looked at her with knitted brows and asked, "What do you mean?" And she replied, "That freak with the orange hair? She looked horrid!" I had no words to respond to her statement due to my absolute shock at what my mother had just said. She'd done it. She had used the "f" word: freak. All I could do was sit in the passenger seat and say, "Wow." and proceed to defend the teenager, a stranger, to my mother who so quickly passed judgment on someone based solely on how they presented themselves. My mother didn't see the big deal about it which just frustrated me further.

This experience wounded me that day because I thought that my mother had gotten over shocking appearances because I have been enjoying goth culture and style for roughly ten years. I remember at first, she didn't like it, but now, she seems to have accepted that that is who I am (it's not a phase mom!). So to hear the "f" word used so freely by my own mother shocked and upset me. I haven't had such an upsetting experience over a single word in years.

There are many words in this wonderful world of English language and there are very few that I find offensive. The ones I find offensive are usually ones that are used in a derogatory nature. So when the word "freak" is used in that context, I can't help but feel my face flush with anger. Perhaps it's my millennial bleeding heart but I think it's very wrong to laugh and pass judgment on someone that you don't know based solely on looks.

Another part of this experience that got me thinking was how differently my mother and I viewed this one person. It's experiences like these that keep reiterating to me how subjective beauty truly. What one person finds as beautiful, another may find to be the most repulsive thing in the world. I found this awkward teenager quirky and cute because she was different. I saw shades of my younger self in her. I admired her mother who allowed her daughter to express herself in the way she chose. Well, needless to say, that's not what my mother saw and there's really nothing I could do to make her change her opinion.

Long story short, I guess this whole experience bothered me so much because I know what it's like to be on the receiving end of the label "freak". I never was the cool kid in grade school and I gave up on seeking peer approval by the end of elementary school. I was considered the weirdo who was too smart, too fat, and too friendly by my peers. I was always accused of ulterior motives (e.g., gathering gossip, flirting with boys, etc.) when all I wanted was to be kind to people and be an all around decent human being. I didn't like the same music, movies, or activities that the populace liked. So be it. I accepted that part of myself and couldn't wait to break free from my hometown labels. It wasn't until college that I felt totally free to be myself. And the crazy part of it was that I found people who also accepted me for me and still do to this day. If you want to take back the label of "freak" and turn it around to make it something positive, go for it! If you're going to use it in a derogatory manner, remember the famous line from Thumper the bunny in the Disney film Bambi, "My momma always says: If you ain't got nothin' nice to say, don't say nothin' at all." Live and let live, be kind to each other.

Take care. Much love.

- Erin

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193477
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16815
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459315
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27441
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments