Similar to the game of chance and circumstance, "Rock; Paper; Scissors," providing denigrating labels for those that surround us at any given time during the course of our lives, tends to be as logical as playing your "weapon" of choice at the point of draw.
Like many, I have had held the position of both the bullied and the bully. What too often escapes those involved in the "process" is that neither position is enviable and both are the result of something WE ALL share. Insecurity.
I sincerely wish with every ounce of compassion existing in my heart that each school-aged kid could truly grasp the concept of "insecurity" and recognize that even those hot, popular kids that seem to have everything are all equally uncertain of themselves. Unfortunately, during Junior High and the like, the ridiculous number of chemicals (natural and possibly manufactured) and raging contradictions tearing through our systems make it pretty difficult.
That's when we were young, there's an excuse-- as we grow, the 'innocense' factor is lost-- and, both parties, 'the bullied' and 'the bullies,' are guilty of ignorance and a REFUSAL to emerge from a real shitty cocoon.
What seems to be developing at a record pace over social networking groups is the re-surfacing of cliques and the cool crowd. Even more troubling, it appears that some are allowing this concept to seep into their lives outside of cyber-space. Don't believe me? Take a peek at some of your 'friends' status updates (the outrageous and clearly unacceptable nature of many of these will act as fodder for a future post)-- or, have an actual conversation about it; weird concept...
I will be the first to acknowledge that many people have a horrendous childhood, that circumstances exist in households that I could never imagine let alone understand.
Some enter a world where family dinners are replaced with mom smoking crack and dad swinging fists, where recognizing who YOU truly are means extradition from your cozy bed, where the supposed 'safe-haven' of school is really a torturous prison. Because these extenuating circumstances are a REALITY, it would be foolish, ignorant, and morally unjust to deny these members of society additional help- in many forms.
Truth is though, that for most of us, life may have dealt some pretty shitty blows and even more gut-wrenching labels while growing up, but it's time to move on.
It's time to really grasp the fact that all those cliques, the cool table at lunch, and the idea that some are beneath you are figments of your imagination.
I honestly still remember dreading the walk into middle school. I was frequently referred to as a fag, pussy, bitch, etc... and, that was just from peers who are now actually gay... I hated life, I hated those people and, it was really hard to suck it up and move forward. But, what I realized (perhaps, more easily than others) is that your weakness is their gain.
So, STOP. STOP being weak. STOP allowing the figments dancing through your head of convincing you that these bullies are real. They exist because YOU let them. YOUR mind is preventing you from recognizing your potential.
I won't fully expand on it during this post however, I truly believe that our imaginary limitations and/or strengths act as an all too frequent prevailing force during the quest for change in society.
Ideas:
That the entire GLBT community must free itself from their own mental shackles before the major physical ones can be broken; That the obesity epidemic must first be addressed in our culture's mind before the pounds start falling off; That the religious and historical restraints grasping sexuality's (in all its forms) progress, will only be removed if we take the arduous strides of re-examining our perceived traditions.
The task of creating a sound mind is incredibly difficult (like catching a shadow) and may never fully be achieved. However, while it is in no way, shape, or form a 'cure-all,' it's a place to start.
No comments:
Post a Comment