Know Yourself -Chapter Five

   One of my favorite life lessons is to know oneself and one's self-worth. Upon mastering it, one comes to the realization that other people's opinions of oneself are no longer of concern. In today's society, many individuals strive to conform to societal norms, but it is crucial to resist such pressures. As for myself, I am a black, gay man who grew up in a predominantly white suburbia, participating in water polo and swimming. I have found myself in over a thousand rooms where I was the only one like myself. Being the only black or gay individual in a room, a neighborhood, or a locker room has been a common experience for me.

  I’ve been hated by blacks for being too white, I’ve been hated by whites for being too to black. I’ve been discriminated and ostracized by gays  for not fitting the cis white male with a six-pack stereotype, I’ve been disliked and discouraged by loved ones for not following their expectations

I have learned the importance of not striving to please your loved ones or strangers. One should resist conforming and allowing others to impose labels and confinements. We are not mere commodities to be categorized; we transcend such simplistic classifications. In this world, our similarities outweigh our differences, yet it is our individuality and distinctiveness that truly set us apart.