Kai+P’s+Final+AmEx+2015+Speech


 * Adolescent Individuality **

I know many of these speeches will revolve around negative experiences to change a problem they see in America, but and after crying for a good hour yesterday after school because of these speeches, I want to focus on one of my positive experiences in my life that I wish to see in our country. I want to live in an America where parents allow their children to be themselves. I grew up in a household where there was not much control of my behavior as long as I was respectful to others. When I was younger I could be weird… really weird. I went outside, played with bugs, dug 2-foot deep holes, and tore up leaves for fun. I was also allowed to pick out the ugliest outfits, a tutu over pants to the first day of preschool and boyish clothing and hair throughout elementary school. My mom allowed this because it made me happy. She always thought I was creative, whether I was or not doesn’t matter, she approved of my odd actions by seeing me as “creative”. My dad loved that I wanted to do things that were typically unconventional for a daughter, especially since he originally wanted a son. I would play sports and go fishing with him because I thought it was really fun and it made me happy at the time. I grew up in this accepting environment that gave me confidence to be myself.

When I was in elementary school my friends’ parents were very different than mine, and I always felt bad for those other kids. They were strictly not allowed to go barefoot outside. They weren't allowed to go to school wearing outfits chosen by anyone but their parent. They weren't allowed to play in the dirt and explore the wonders found in their own backyards. They weren't allowed to go to picture day without the mom being there to fix their hair seconds before the picture. Meanwhile, I was allowed to pick my own outfits, go barefoot, and explore the outside. This satisfied my need for adventure and let me creatively have fun without the exclusive need for toys, video games, or the TV and I grew up thinking that there wasn't an image that my parents were trying to portray through me. Being accepted for who I am by my family was the biggest advantage when it came to self-esteem. I know a lot of people who don’t believe in themselves, and hate things about themselves because they’re not the definition of “perfect” or “normal”. I was overwhelmed by this lack of self esteem in middle school. Girls around me hated on themselves when they didn't wear makeup and a lot of them wore push up bras to compensate for their lack of boob on their prepubescent bodies. Not only self hate occurred but hatred of others because of their own insecurities. I never felt too much pressure to do these things because it wasn’t who I was and I didn’t want to try to become someone else. Although I met bitches who told me I needed to change my appearance, I always remembered my mom telling me I was beautiful whether I wore makeup or not. I was comfortable with being myself, and this started when I was very young because of how I was brought up. My family never introduced me to make up or any other cosmetic practices that a lot of girls around me were doing. I didn’t know girls at any age shaved their legs or plucked their eyebrows until I was almost done with 6th grade. I never cared for that stuff, seeing how I didn’t even know they existed. Even now I don’t prioritize doing those things unless it’s convenient and I miraculously feel like doing it for once. It lessens the societal pressure that drags many people into spending money and time on beauty products that they don’t actually need.

Being weird has brought so much positivity into my life. It brought me closer to a lot of my friends. We can have unique greeting rituals and make weird noises together to signify our happiness. I feel accepted for being funny in a dorky way. Being an individual is satisfying, knowing that you’re different from the rest of the conformists. I would hate to be “normal” in this interesting world. I want parents to allow their kids individual freedom so those kids aren’t bullies to the kids who don’t want to conform. I want to see parents granting their children with creative freedom so they can be more comfortable with who they are. I want to see those kids grow up into an America with more individual acceptance and widespread happiness.

Source: Me