And not just as those differences apply to others, but to ourselves as well.
People put so much effort into trying to fit in, when what's the point? To fit in as a clone? What's more important having pride in oneself, or they're acceptance?
Acceptance means subjugating ourself to some degree or more to the parameters deemed fit by others. How can anybody find true happiness or peace by limiting themselves to what others define as proper?
I never could fit in growing up, even if I tried, which I really didn't much because I was really that bad at it. But then eventually that meant I could listen to the music I wanted to, I can go to the movies I wanted to go to, and that have to be concerned with what everybody else thought or didn't want to do.
Meanwhile, I witnessed the Disco Era. I saw guys who one day were saying that Jimmy Page was God, and then the next day they'd have a new haircut and were trying to be John Travolta. Just like that, transformed overnight, no more Aerosmith t-shirts and basic jeans.
Me? I got to listen to Devo BEFORE that Whip It crap came out, and strained the heck out of my throat trying to imitate Kate Bush years before Running Up That Hill came out (this was in America where she wasn't known before then).
Gimme muh Punk Rock.
The heck with what everybody else thinks, they're irrelevant. We do not need permission from them to accept ourselves.
