The Judgmental Populars
Let's face it. We, as a human race (pretty much since the beginning of our existence), have judged anyone our eyes scanned across. It's in our blood and genes. But there's a totally different group of people who take this "sport", if you will, a little too far. They make assumptions to gain social stigma. I've never understood this. At one quick glance, their minds go, Oh my God, look at him. He's actually studying in class? What a no-life. Or even Wow, why are you even wearing a long-sleeve shirt in 90 degree weather? She can't even dress herself. Did they ever get to know these people? Did they even know that boy is trying to be the first in his family to graduate high school? Or did they realize that girl with "no style" cuts herself from the torment she faces at school each day? No. You may not even believe me that this still happens because everyone just keeps to themselves. Well, it does. The proof? I was (and still am) a definite victim of being judged by my peers.
In middle school, I was a tomboy (still am). I didn't care how I dressed (still don't). My role model was my older brother so I dressed like him a lot. And I'm a very loving person, at heart. I'm a hugger so I like hugging my friends when I see them or say bye. I always thought that was appropriate and friendly. One day in my 6th grade Language Arts class, this popular girl who I've known since the previous year gave me a note (this was back when passing notes was the shizz). It read, "Are you lesbian?" My mind went blank. What? I asked her what that meant (by the way, I wasn't really into these new social words). She wrote back, "You know, gay? You like girls, right?" I couldn't even think straight. I told her no. She then asked, "Well are you at least bi?" What the Hell?! After class, I asked her why she thinks I'm gay. She replied, "Um because you hug girls, dress like a boy, and act all weird around your friends. Plus all you really have are guy friends." I was labeled as a lesbian by all of her friends. Some of my friends (girls) even left me because they were afraid that I would start "liking" them. I was so appalled. Just because I wore baggy shorts, had short curly hair, and was good friends with boys. All because I was different from society.
That stayed with me all through middle school. In high school, I was determined to change my ways. I still dressed the way I did, but with girly twists (jewelry, make-up, hair straightened, etc.). Then new judgments came about. They just wouldn't stop. People called me innocent because I got really good grades and didn't really didn't pay attention to social views. Towards my Senior year, I had students ask me if I did drugs or got high all the time because I didn't exactly try my best and was always tired. Really? Probably the most "hardcore" drug I have ever had in my system was Morphine, but that was because I was in the hospital after having open heart surgery. And I wasn't trying my best and was always tired because of my involvement in extra activities (and video games...).
It's comments like these that made me absolutely hate going to classes. Probably choir was the only class where I could be myself, but even then you had the popular drama kids being judgmental idiots as always (you know who you are. That's not even a criticism comment. It's called "knowing your hidden sources", honey). I admit to resorting to self-harm because of them. I stopped just recently because I realized it just wasn't worth it. The pain always came back. I made it my mission to turn my feelings into listening to music and writing down the lyrics that reflected my emotions.
For all of you who are judged, or criticized, you aren't alone. You never were. There are people just like you who go through the pain and torment every single day. I stuck it out and now I'm stronger than ever when it comes to this. I fight back with ignoring and finding new people who accept me for who I am. We're all different. And being unique is the best thing to be judged on, because you are your own person.
Society isn't your priority,
Allison
In middle school, I was a tomboy (still am). I didn't care how I dressed (still don't). My role model was my older brother so I dressed like him a lot. And I'm a very loving person, at heart. I'm a hugger so I like hugging my friends when I see them or say bye. I always thought that was appropriate and friendly. One day in my 6th grade Language Arts class, this popular girl who I've known since the previous year gave me a note (this was back when passing notes was the shizz). It read, "Are you lesbian?" My mind went blank. What? I asked her what that meant (by the way, I wasn't really into these new social words). She wrote back, "You know, gay? You like girls, right?" I couldn't even think straight. I told her no. She then asked, "Well are you at least bi?" What the Hell?! After class, I asked her why she thinks I'm gay. She replied, "Um because you hug girls, dress like a boy, and act all weird around your friends. Plus all you really have are guy friends." I was labeled as a lesbian by all of her friends. Some of my friends (girls) even left me because they were afraid that I would start "liking" them. I was so appalled. Just because I wore baggy shorts, had short curly hair, and was good friends with boys. All because I was different from society.
That stayed with me all through middle school. In high school, I was determined to change my ways. I still dressed the way I did, but with girly twists (jewelry, make-up, hair straightened, etc.). Then new judgments came about. They just wouldn't stop. People called me innocent because I got really good grades and didn't really didn't pay attention to social views. Towards my Senior year, I had students ask me if I did drugs or got high all the time because I didn't exactly try my best and was always tired. Really? Probably the most "hardcore" drug I have ever had in my system was Morphine, but that was because I was in the hospital after having open heart surgery. And I wasn't trying my best and was always tired because of my involvement in extra activities (and video games...).
It's comments like these that made me absolutely hate going to classes. Probably choir was the only class where I could be myself, but even then you had the popular drama kids being judgmental idiots as always (you know who you are. That's not even a criticism comment. It's called "knowing your hidden sources", honey). I admit to resorting to self-harm because of them. I stopped just recently because I realized it just wasn't worth it. The pain always came back. I made it my mission to turn my feelings into listening to music and writing down the lyrics that reflected my emotions.
For all of you who are judged, or criticized, you aren't alone. You never were. There are people just like you who go through the pain and torment every single day. I stuck it out and now I'm stronger than ever when it comes to this. I fight back with ignoring and finding new people who accept me for who I am. We're all different. And being unique is the best thing to be judged on, because you are your own person.
Society isn't your priority,
Allison
Comments
Post a Comment