What Makes You You: Embracing Yourself

Introduction

Today, I would like to take the time to share and express to you all an issue that I believe is causing great harm to a generation of young people. Societal pressures are immense now more than ever. We see this today, especially in this age of globalization and social media. We spend hours at a time scrolling on our phones comparing ourselves to the latest trending influencers. Whether it be apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Twitter or even Tiktok, I bet we can all agree on that at one point or another we have compared our lives to those of others, but we often forget the importance of what makes you you.

The Harmful Impact of Conformity 

To waste time on Instagram is, indeed, not an unpleasing pastime in general, but to dwell on one’s differences is harmful. To wish to be someone who you are not, is harmful. What I have always had such difficulty with is how us teenagers can never be content with ourselves unless we fit in like others, or if we are portrayed as different. We are mortified with the idea of seeming in any way different, and we are scared of letting what makes us unique shine, and so we suppress. We feel pressure to suppress the very things that make us each so special. We deny ourselves things-- not to please ourselves, but to please those around us.

I know that personally, I have struggled with the feeling of wanting to fit the molds that I feel are placed upon me. I have fallen victim to the current beauty and cultural standards. These weighty chains are the devices by which our society aims to constrict us and limit us. The infiltration of such standards has brought us grave consequences. We as a society have been coerced into believing that our time is better spent worrying about our presence in comparison to others than embracing these differences and working to better the world.

Diversity: Powerful Tool for Unity

We have to come to realize that diversity is a powerful tool we have, and not something that should be diminishing. Diversity comes in a variety of forms, whether it is culture, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, etc. All of these contribute to our unique experiences of the world.

What Makes Me Me: Cultural Acceptance

Being Latina growing up, I personally felt a lot of stigma and a lack of acceptance for my differences. For instance, something as simple as referring to my grandma as “abuela” as a Spanish speaker and the reaction that would bring would lead me to be subject to name calling. (explain this better) I felt like I didn’t belong. I know many people in my life who also share the experience of feeling negatively towards themselves for something they should be embracing instead of concealing. My friends would feel insecure speaking to their parents in their own language on the phone around other people simply because they were ashamed of judgement from those around them. To be a young person and to feel like the very traits that make them who they are is innately wrong or is looked down upon, is damaging to a person.

It is heartbreaking that we have imposed a set of unreasonable and unattainable expectations based on the premise of Western European standards. Teens might not always feel completely affirmed in school. They may face stereotypes, they may not see people like them represented in school materials, or. We need to make sure that these kids do not feel this way. Feeling a sense of pride to one’s background gives teens a source from which to draw strength, a vital asset in the face of adversity.

We live in an era where young girls are taught to straighten their curls, being told that their natural hair is nappy or told that it is not professional and that they would look better with straight, well-kept hair. I was one of those girls, conditioned to feel embarrassed from something I can’t control, something that grows out of my scalp. 

Embracing What Makes You You

By choosing to disassociate yourself from these characteristics and by not being yourself, you are denying others around you the opportunity to understand and get to know the real, authentic you. Absolutely no one should not feel pressure to alter their personality, their looks, or conceal their nationality, name pronunciation, or any other part of their identity to please those around them. It should not be that a person feels the need to diminish their value or lessen themselves for the comfort of another. You cannot be someone else- they are already taken. You cannot change the family you are born into or the situations you will learn to overcome. One will be judged no matter what they do or who they are, so free yourself of this weight of the fear of being judged. Do not succumb to the unreasonable expectations of others.

Bringing together people that are diverse, and that have differences in backgrounds and different life experiences can create ideas or perspectives that others may not have been aware of before. Everyone has their own way of seeing a problem, shaped by the experiences that they have had. When tackling an issue, would it not be more beneficial to have multiple interpretations and approaches, rather than everyone contributing the same ideas? Promoting the characteristics that distinguish you from others, the attributes that make you who you are, is the first step to not just tolerance, but true acceptance. By exposure to, and communication between diverse people, we might find that we all have more alike than initially thought. Or maybe, we may find that we are still incredibly different. Either way, both are okay and should be embraced and accepted!

Increasing familiarity with such differences can alter perspectives, and diminish the misconceptions and prejudices that fuel discrimination and that are also continually perpetuated in society. We cannot let societal standards or prejudices stain our social legacy. It is important that together we encourage personal development and ensure that young people feel good about themselves and feel connected to their roots. This is positively associated with school performance, mental well-being, and overall health.

Conclusion

I will not stand here and pretend to understand what other people need in terms of self acceptance, but if there is one thing that my personal experience has taught me, it is that appreciating all of what makes me me and not being embarrassed of the person I am has opened the door wide open. The door to a life that is filled with amazing and varied opportunities and experiences. I have an unwavering hope that everyone will do the same for themselves, and allow us to embrace a less binary understanding of ourselves. As I look to the crowd and look at the faces that stare back at me, I can only hope and encourage everyone to move past the hatred of ourselves and others, and move forward in acceptance, happiness, and inclusion. Thank you.