Wouldn't it Be Boring if We Were All the Same? | Teen Ink

Wouldn't it Be Boring if We Were All the Same?

December 9, 2009
By peace_love_beauty PLATINUM, Florien, Louisiana
peace_love_beauty PLATINUM, Florien, Louisiana
22 articles 35 photos 121 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4


When you see a teenager dressed in black, with long hair that covers their eyes, and scars on their wrists, what do you see? You may see what they look like on the outside—someone who is different, who is troubled, and is just not the norm. But maybe you see past appearances, pas looks, past stereotypes, like we all should. Maybe you see them as they really are--a writer, an artist, someone with talent, intelligence, and ambition.

Another teenager with beach blond hair and an Aeropastle shirt walks by. Do you see their appearance and assume, “They’re mean, snobby, and stuck up,” or, “All they care about is gossip, cell phones, clothes, and boys. She’s a wh**e.” Or do you see someone who may be the nicest person you’ve ever met, someone who is sweet, polite, and caring, if you’d only take the time to get to know them. They could have the same interests and hobbies as you. You could easily start a conversation with them, but you can’t see past stereotypical appearances.

You never know what someone is like unless you get to know them. The phrase “You can’t judge a book by its cover” holds truth. This person could be your best friend if you just gave them the chance.

So someone is different from you. They look, dress, act, and have interests different from you. Maybe their fashion sense is a little off, or maybe their nose is a little big, or they laugh a bit weird. What do you do? You tease them, taunt them, and make fun of them. Why? They’re different.

Think about it. You tease people for being different. You want them to conform? You want them to be the same as you? Wouldn’t it be boring, however, if everyone was the same?

Respect people for their individuality and uniqueness, rather than punishing them. Don’t assume just because someone looks a certain way that they act a certain way. Give people a chance.



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This article has 31 comments.


on Apr. 6 2013 at 11:53 am
TaylorWintry DIAMOND, Carrollton, Texas
72 articles 0 photos 860 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." - Unknown

Powerful, straightforward, and brilliantly written. 5/5! I love the word choice, and the sentence structure/flow is impeccable. Great job!!

on Jun. 26 2012 at 4:21 pm
originalityisdeadd, Upton, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"A bird does not lay awake at night and wonder if it is a good bird; A bird just flies."

This is brilliant. You put what I've always thought into words.

FireThought said...
on Jan. 11 2012 at 7:19 am
You are tthe most powerful writer ever. I love your work

on Dec. 4 2011 at 4:39 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

So true! We, as humans, tend to stereotype. You pointed out two of the most common ones. This was a really well written piece.

on Mar. 24 2011 at 9:24 am
you know you write really well. this is a great argument for when people call me the odd one out.

Lyall Hoare said...
on Dec. 15 2010 at 1:04 am
Lyall Hoare, Canton/Plymouth, Michigan
0 articles 1 photo 3 comments
I don't judge people by looks, sure dressing good doesn't hurt but i dotn care if im talking to Obama or a stranger, im not going to treat either with a different manner. id shake Obama's hand and the strangers. its just who i am. 

on Dec. 10 2010 at 10:30 am
peace_love_beauty PLATINUM, Florien, Louisiana
22 articles 35 photos 121 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

Glad I could help =)

schlage GOLD said...
on Nov. 11 2010 at 4:44 pm
schlage GOLD, Erie, Pennsylvania
10 articles 0 photos 37 comments
People are so judgemental these days. Your article is awesome. Hopefully some people will realize their prejudice. Cause that girl with the aeropostale shirt might have more cuts on her wrist then the girl wearing black.

on Oct. 20 2010 at 9:10 pm
susu.ali BRONZE, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2 articles 0 photos 16 comments
I LIKE YOUR PAPER. I'M NOT YOUR AVERAGE 17 YEAR OLD. I LIKE POLITICS, WRITING, BURROWING MYSELF IN BOOKS ETC. AND I CONSIDER MYSELF UNIQUE BUT, I FELT LIKE ITS  GOOD THING TO BE DIFFERENT AND NOT BAD. BEACUSE FOR SO LONG I TRIED TO BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. WHAT WAS PRECIEVED AS BEING NORMAL. AND I HATED IT SO THANK U

on Sep. 1 2010 at 1:55 pm
NomLoveMonster SILVER, Florence, Arizona
5 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
"No one else will have me like you do, no one else will have me, only you."

I love you<3

This made me feel so much better, and I as well, wish that I wasn't called "Emo" every single day.


Fires SILVER said...
on Jun. 10 2010 at 10:30 pm
Fires SILVER, Eagle Pass, Texas
8 articles 0 photos 18 comments

Favorite Quote:
Follow your heart always!

You are right we cant judge on how they look or act. We are all different thats what makes the world interesting. You are telling the truth. Keep writing!! Amazing

on Mar. 15 2010 at 12:13 pm
peace_love_beauty PLATINUM, Florien, Louisiana
22 articles 35 photos 121 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

Sure I will :)

on Mar. 15 2010 at 12:12 pm
meganleigh122 GOLD, Greeneville, Tennessee
13 articles 0 photos 81 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain."

anytime :) can yu chekc out some of my stuff?

on Mar. 15 2010 at 11:49 am
peace_love_beauty PLATINUM, Florien, Louisiana
22 articles 35 photos 121 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

Thanks :) I appreciate it

on Mar. 14 2010 at 2:06 pm
meganleigh122 GOLD, Greeneville, Tennessee
13 articles 0 photos 81 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain."

this speaks truth, which is a really good thing :) keep it up, you're really talented

on Feb. 8 2010 at 6:09 pm
futurejournalist SILVER, Richland, Georgia
8 articles 4 photos 4 comments
im like that eccept my hair is brown but i look diffrent in my picsz i most definatly understand were ur coming from i love ur poem

on Jan. 5 2010 at 4:11 pm
nature-elf PLATINUM, Ramsey, New Jersey
42 articles 0 photos 57 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If love is shelter, I'll walk in the rain." -Anonymous

This is an excellent view. Personally, people just think I'm weird because I read too much, but this is definitely that could change someone's mind.

on Dec. 23 2009 at 8:04 am
peace_love_beauty PLATINUM, Florien, Louisiana
22 articles 35 photos 121 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

thanks :)

Breingan122 said...
on Dec. 22 2009 at 9:37 am
Breingan122, Solon, Maine
0 articles 0 photos 22 comments
this was prrrety good.

on Dec. 18 2009 at 2:40 pm
peace_love_beauty PLATINUM, Florien, Louisiana
22 articles 35 photos 121 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

Uh...I guess not. Are you saying that I am?