What I’ve
Learned from People Different Than Me
By: Mari
Walter-Bailey
The
U.S.A. is often known for its diversity.
Some people accept it, some people enjoy it, and some people deny it no matter
how obvious it is. Personally, it teaches me that I have to accept, and respect
others’ beliefs, dress, and ways of being.
Everyone
is different. I am my own, unique individual, and nobody in the whole world has
done the exact same things that I have. No one knows my whole life, and I don’t
know anyone else’s life. I do know though that some people are trapped in one
small town for their whole life, and some people move around so much they don’t
have their own bedroom. Others don’t have anything or any place to call their
own. I have learned in my 12 years of life that I live a charmed life compared
to some people, but to others I may appear to have nothing. Everyone should be
thankful since there is always someone who has less.
I’ve
discovered that people are extremely judgmental. In this day and age, you’re judged
based on your appearance, skin tone, height, weight, wealth, housing, quality
of clothes, hair, religion, disabilities and more. Lots of people my age are
very, very rude to people with mental, physical, and/or emotional
disabilities. I can tell, when I look in those kids’ eyes. I
see pain. Even if they don’t know what people are saying, they tell me how
lucky I am. I have a friend in a wheelchair. I am utterly astonished by the
poor way people treat her, as if she is a very inconvenient table in the
hallway. People act as if she can’t hear, as if her small problem defines her.
I have an Indian friend too. I think teachers are often very ignorant
themselves, like they don’t hear the racist Indian jokes. In fact, most people that are hurting people
are usually teacher’s favorites: popular people who think they rule the world.
I
also hear people call some people “Jelly Belly”. What they don’t know is that
he/she may have a serious disease, causing her/him to be overweight. Most judge
completely on dress. Not many can afford pricy brand names, though. I know for
a fact that no matter who you are, or where you live, you ALWAYS want more than
what you have. There is always one person you look at with envy. If you have
short hair, you want long hair. If you have blue/green eyes, you want brown
eyes and vice versa.
The
one thing I always think is, “Why should I dress like someone else?” I should
create my own style. People can inspire me, but they can’t change me. I’ve
realized that I would hate it if everyone had the exact same shirt. If everyone
was a painting, being different is the one thing everyone would truly
appreciate. I learned that life is different,
based on your perspective, and everyone should respect that.
Reprinted with permission from the author
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