We have all heard the age-old term used to describe someone who is obsessed with some sort of game, show, hobby, or activity and stereotypically socially awkward. That term would be that of the nerd. If you have been called a nerd before, it's probably because you had a moment where you freaked out about a TV show, or you played a game most others find silly, or your nose is constantly buried in a book. The thing is, the term nerd should not be used in a degrading way. Being a nerd really means that a person is shamelessly interested in something and gets really excited about the thing they are invested in. Why should we shame a person for finding something in this life that makes them happy?

When people talk about the things that they are passionate about, you can see in their eyes just how much it matters to them. Their voice raises several octaves, they flail their hands about, and you can see the light shining in their eyes. If a person experiences these things when talking about a comic book or a card game, why does that invalidate their joy? The answer is that it shouldn’t.

There is a stigma in society that calling someone a nerd is to put someone in his or her place and to take them down a peg in happiness. I can’t understand why we as respectable humans would want to do this to others. There should be a movement against shaming people for being passionate. If someone really cares for something and they need a moment to nerd out about it then, we should respect it and really care about what they are telling us.

I come from a family full of "nerds," who often play magical card games, watch campy British television shows, and love to discuss character theories. Being raised in such an environment has opened my eyes to the passion people have. When two people bond over one of these activities or hobbies, it’s like nothing else. People who are often ridiculed for liking such things can now speak with no fear because they know their interest and love will be shared. Things like Comic Con and Sakura Con are amazing because people can cosplay (dress up as) their favorite characters and have a large, supportive community who cares about the same things as they do.

Also, the people who watch "Doctor Who" or play "Dungeons and Dragons" are not the only ones who can be classified as nerds. The truth of the matter is everyone gets nerdy about something. Being a nerd means that you shamelessly care about something that you partake in. This means that people who get excited about new music, people who are obsessed with makeup styles, and people who get jazzed about political debates are all nerds.

Next time you overhear someone talking about the newest "Batman" movie with unreal amounts of excitement, or when a friend invites you to LARP with them, or you feel the need to yell on Facebook about this new band you’re into, don’t judge and don’t live with shame. Tell everyone just why you love what you love. Respect others for the things that make them happy, even if it doesn’t appeal to you. Let people love what they love, you nerd.