Conformism is something that controls a lot of middle schoolers. Is it a good thing?

There is always some sort of style or cool thing like wearing baggy clothes or saying “six-seven.” That’s because people like to fit in and be cool or fly under the radar, but is that good? Is that the best way to be?

I would say no. I think it is important to express and be yourself. Imagine if someone like Martin Luther King had never spoken out and decided he was just going to go along because that was safer, easier. We wouldn’t be where we are today.

It is important to speak out, but sometimes it is not the best thing to do. Like if your friend is really upset because their pet pickle died, it is not the best time to say that you are angry at them for not thanking you for the pie you brought them.

It is not only important to speak out but to express yourself and your style. If I want to wear a cozy t-shirt that stands out with purple, green and red polka dots, people would judge. But if everyone wore strange things and everyone was expecting it, it wouldn’t be so strange. It is important to try to change your mind set, believe in yourself and in others. That is hard and sometimes it feels undoable, but that is okay.

Though it is close to impossible to have everyone except everyone, and you can’t control others thoughts or opinions. What you can do is be the change you want to see, because the more you judge or put down others, the more you feel judged and rejected.

The world is full of people and full of beautiful things, so at the end of the day, it is best to be grateful, encourage difference, be kind and be yourself.