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It was 9AM, I couldn’t stop myself from agreeing with everything everyone else was saying. The winning team had to collectively come to a consensus first. That was the rule. However, at the end, all four teams get the prize. It was just a game.*
Whenever I come across the word “discrimination”, I tend to picture extreme isolation, harsh treatment or nonsensical rules sparked by differences. However, discrimination can also lead to someone taking a step back from their own selves. Not only does individual uniqueness fade because of group discrimination, but also under the influence of self-discrimination.
We are familiar with the psychology of FOMO - Fear of missing out, in which we seek ways to integrate quickly and align ourselves with the interests of a particular group in order to simply “fit in”. I see myself in this. When I was in first grade, I wanted a coloring set because one of my friends had it. When I was in secondary school, I wanted to be a vegetarian because all 2 of my friends were vegetarians. In high school, I wanted to become a doctor, which led me to the tragic acquaintance with chemistry and the massive loss of time. I couldn’t be different, I must fit in. And no, on my own, I would never have chosen the doctor path. Spending a life peeking through other people’s windows, pouring collected paints of different shades into a bottle of mixed semiliquid is undeniably tiring. Trying to find my color through the lens of others, I ran up to the risk of losing myself altogether. I took steps back from myself.
A friend once told me that before respecting others’ uniqueness, I had to accept and embrace my own. In a world where you simply cannot shape-shift into everything at once, you’ll have to find your own shape, which means putting the discrimination aside and accepting yourself. Instead of erasing our own traits to fit in, use your own traits to add in. Only by being true to who we are can we shine and inspire; only through self-acceptance and self-celebration can we bloom.
* The judge said: "Before the game ends, I want you to think on a question: Is it always worth coming into an agreement?".
This woke me up. Despite the "rule", those who stand up for their own voice and not easily bend were also winners.
Whenever I come across the word “discrimination”, I tend to picture extreme isolation, harsh treatment or nonsensical rules sparked by differences. However, discrimination can also lead to someone taking a step back from their own selves. Not only does individual uniqueness fade because of group discrimination, but also under the influence of self-discrimination.
We are familiar with the psychology of FOMO - Fear of missing out, in which we seek ways to integrate quickly and align ourselves with the interests of a particular group in order to simply “fit in”. I see myself in this. When I was in first grade, I wanted a coloring set because one of my friends had it. When I was in secondary school, I wanted to be a vegetarian because all 2 of my friends were vegetarians. In high school, I wanted to become a doctor, which led me to the tragic acquaintance with chemistry and the massive loss of time. I couldn’t be different, I must fit in. And no, on my own, I would never have chosen the doctor path. Spending a life peeking through other people’s windows, pouring collected paints of different shades into a bottle of mixed semiliquid is undeniably tiring. Trying to find my color through the lens of others, I ran up to the risk of losing myself altogether. I took steps back from myself.
A friend once told me that before respecting others’ uniqueness, I had to accept and embrace my own. In a world where you simply cannot shape-shift into everything at once, you’ll have to find your own shape, which means putting the discrimination aside and accepting yourself. Instead of erasing our own traits to fit in, use your own traits to add in. Only by being true to who we are can we shine and inspire; only through self-acceptance and self-celebration can we bloom.
* The judge said: "Before the game ends, I want you to think on a question: Is it always worth coming into an agreement?".
This woke me up. Despite the "rule", those who stand up for their own voice and not easily bend were also winners.
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