This is me,

I believe in individuality, and that there is unity in diversity. That if we respect the individuality of one another, our differences will act as a glue that keeps us together. Rather than a wall that keeps us apart. People are so magnificent, everyone has their own personality, memories, and preferences. But in our society we’re constantly burdened by this cookie cutter idea of normality. This idea that a norm can even exist in the sea of diversity that is the human population. It’s this expectation of a nonexistent normality that causes people to feel ashamed of their individuality. That makes people feel embarrassed to be themselves around anyone but themselves.

It’s not easy to view the world from someone else’s eyes, and respect their opinion. Trust me, I was born into a family of Bible thumping, God fearing, Catholic believers. So as a child I was plagued by this idea that I had to fulfill all of my parent’s expectations. But as it turns out, many of their expectations just weren’t in the cards for me. My parents never really asked for anything too unattainable, they just expected to have a normal son. I feel as though my Dad wanted an energetic sports minded boy that he could take to ball games and rough-house with.

There was also the expectation that I’d be this ideal Catholic boy who would read his Bible, and say his prayers. It was as if before I was even born there was this ironically grandiose idea that we would be the most spectacularly “normal” family. That I’d go to church, get okay grades, love sports, go to college for something that makes a good amount of money, get married by 25 and spend the rest of my life working and supporting my family. But as I’ve learned, you’ve got to be careful what you wish for, because life’s got a sense of humor. They got an introverted, technology oriented son who doesn’t know the first thing about sports. I’m a progressive liberal who would rather watch paint dry than spend an extended period of time quoting Bible verses.

Many of the people around me hated the person I was becoming, not because I was a delinquent or juvenile. They hated it because I didn’t share their opinions. But it wasn’t just them, when I was younger I was admittedly hard-headed. I couldn’t stand listening to what my parents had to say, even if it was good advice. At one point, I couldn’t even have a single conversation with my parents without it feeling like it would turn into some argument over religion. It took a bit of self reflection, but eventually I came to the realization that by trying to protect my own opinions, I was also completely rejecting the opinions and point of view of those around me. That I was doing exactly what they were. It was difficult, but through this discourse I learned to look at my own, and other people's opinions from a different perspective. To take a moment to look through the eyes of another. I realized how important it was to support each other’s individuality, rather than trying to mute it so you can assert your own.

That’s what I believe, that our differences can bring us closer to each other than our similarities. That our differences build bridges rather than walls. That our differences make us who we are, and we shouldn’t be ashamed of that. That our differences make the world so much more fascinating, because life would be so boring if we were all normal. That our differences unite and empower us. That there is unity in diversity.