Let Me Be Me

“I could be mean; I could be angry; you know I could be just like you,” are lyrics from the song Just Like You by my favorite band Three Days Grace.

At New Town High School, we have jocks, populars, cheerleaders, skaters, and the almighty upperclassmen. Those people rule the school, and you can tell who they are by their jerseys, their outfits, how they act, where they sit at lunch, and so on. At New Town, hip hop and pop music are played in the hallways, the dances, and during the
announcements. People often sing or rap the lyrics.

However, what about the rest of us? What about us nerds that strive for perfection or those who recognize
themselves as Emo or Goth or avid anime fans? What about the skaters? We don’t all want to dress in Nikes, uggs, or Lacoste or Ralph Lauren. Some of us want to kick it in our Converse, skinny jeans, chains, or skate shoes. Some of us like rock, Indie, metal, techno, or classic music. Some of us like to wear our Beatles, Metallica, Pink Floyd, or Green Day shirts.

I remember once I wore all black to school, and I really got looked down on and people dissed the way I dressed. At school, those of us who are different, that don’t settle for B’s or dress differently, act differently, or listen to different music are ridiculed. Why? Why can’t we just be different? Why do we all have to be the same? What happened to being unique and creative? Why is it that if we’re different, we’re seen as a freak, loser, or weird? Why can’t we be ourselves?

In short, all I’m saying is that we all deserve a chance to be ourselves without others putting us down. People are like snowflakes, no two people, or snowflakes, are alike. Everyone comes in different sizes and shapes. If you’re a nerd, get your nerd on. If you’re an Emo or Goth, do your thing. Jocks and those that play sports, do what you do best: play and win. Whatever you are, let’s all be ourselves, and not what others make us out to be.