This is the World

It’s hard to believe that it’s 2010 and people are still afraid to be themselves. Whether they’ve committed a social taboo, opposed popular belief or are gay, they’re all afraid to express themselves. They don’t want to come out. The “closet” is a safe, comfortable place. Yes, it may be dark, suffocating and somewhat scary, but at least they are protected from the scornful gazes, the disdainful stares, the contemptuous sneers. Why does this exist? Why are people ashamed of their own skin? Why must they wear masks?

Romeo and Juliet is seen as a beautiful, endearing story of two lovers, forbidden to be together, but going against the grain, creating controversy in order to be happy together and experience true love. This is an iconic story, one that everyone holds in high respect. Why, then, is the idea of two people of the same gender doing the same so disgusting? Here’s my answer: there isn’t a legitimate reason. People –namely children- are afraid of things that they don’t understand. Children shy away from different things, conform to the beliefs set out before them. Their favourite films include handsome men falling in love with beautiful women. It’s accepted. They believe that it is normal. But is hating other human beings due to things outside of their control normal? Hell no. Gay people don’t hurt anyone. They just live their lives, the same as everybody else. They try to survive, be happy, be accepted, yet those things, mainly the latter two, is sometimes impossible. What reasons are there to hate our same-sex-loving brethren? Religion? By admitting that God made a mistake, you are admitting that he isn’t perfect, thereby saying that the religion itself is flawed. What other reason can you think of? The media, perhaps? They daren’t create controversy. They’ll lose money. TV shows will lose ratings, magazines will make less sales, movies will decrease in popularity. Of course, this has not been the case recently, but only thanks to a large portion of tolerant people. There are still zombies out there, controlled by the media, afraid to speak out, to stand out, to express themselves. People must conform, otherwise, they’re unaccepted. They’re not considered part of our race.

But what about the people that can’t help but be different? What about the people that are gay and, heaven forbid, proud of who they are? Not just gay people, but everybody! The different races, people with different coloured hair, different religions, even men and women are sometimes afraid of the implications that their own genders bring about! This is not fair. This is not right. This is disgraceful.

This is the world.

- Jess X