Standing Up
High school is one of the most challenging times a person experiences. It's almost as if it is a four-year-long examination, presented by the leading members of the usual social groups. They put you under a microscope to see if you'll fit into their tight little group.
I think everyone takes a look at you freshman year and sizes you up. I hope that what they have seen so far from me shows compassion, understanding, a little bit of humor, and tolerance.
I hope they have seen compassion from me when I say "hello" to the girl no one seems to care about, and when I volunteer to help the girl in my heath class who can't read well so she can get through the weekly quizzes we must take. I hope they see compassion by my choice not to dissect in biology class.
I hope they see that I can empathize and understand, by lending an ear to friends when they need someone to listen and not talk -- someone who will just nod and say, "I understand." I hope I can lend that ear to people I hardly know, too. I hope they see that I understand their choices to not do some things -- such as listen to particular types of music or dress certain ways -- because I also choose to not do something: consume animals.
I hope I show that I have a sense of humor too, by not getting angry when someone makes a mistake, and laughing along with the class when I make a mistake. I want to show them that I won't get angry when someone walks into me, knocks a book out of my hand, or messes up in correcting my paper. I also want to show them that I think it’s okay if they question my eating habits, and I understand their confusion. I was once in their place!
I hope I show tolerance when I deal with people whose background is different from mine. I may not understand why they do something, but I hope I'm able to deal with it politely and graciously. I hope I show tolerance when I am criticized for bringing almonds, some salad with oranges squeezed on it for dressing, and some vegan carob chip cookies instead of buying the school’s lunch of corn dogs, hash browns, and cheesecake. I hope I show them that I'm okay with their criticism, because what I do is out of the norm in the world of high school and they don't understand it -- yet.
It takes a little bit of tiptoeing around the world of high school when you are a vegan. You answer questions over and over and over, spout facts when asked for them, and politely decline treats because you are not sure what's in them. You end up writing papers for teachers instead of dissecting a frog, fish, or most recently, a fetal pig. It also includes making delicious vegan cupcakes when its your turn to bring in something, and letting the boy who is diabetic eat his first school treat since fourth grade that was brought in by someone else. It includes healthy, well-balanced lunches. It includes the joy you get when you help someone out with their animal companions, because you know solutions that are safe for the animal and the environment, or when to recommend a vet. There is the time you put an article in the school paper about how chickens are raised, and received money from anonymous donors to sponsor a chicken at a shelter.
High school is the time to start making your statement to the world and stand up for what you believe in, even if others don't understand your point of view. I hope they understand mine, and I hope the statement I am trying to give shows up loud and clear.
Elizabeth S.
Wisconsin
Copyright © 1998-2008 by Jo Stepaniak
All rights reserved.
Nothing on this web site may
be reproduced in any way
without express written permission from the copyright
holder.
|
