Why is a girl called a "slut" when she hasn't even had her first kiss?
Whis is someone called poor when their parent got laid off and they now have a little less?
Why is an African-American called a "thug" because of what he wears?
Why is a kid called gay after hugging his guy-friend because he cares?
Well that girl will most likely go home and cry herself to sleep.
Due to all the name calling, the "poor boy" will soon be six feet deep.
That African-American wears that because that's all his family can afford.
Finally, that "gay boy" will go home and cut because his cries for help are ignored.
We prejudge a person even though we don't know their story.
We look at someone, decipher them, and fit them into a category.
We want them to be someone they're not.
We don't even give it a second thought.
We label and place.
Without even looking or thinking on what's behind that face.
But maybe, just maybe, we can stop and look.
And notice all the minor details we overlooked.
So let's take those four kids again and look a little closer.
Let's rewind, and go over.
Before the girl was called a slut, she kept to herself.
She even was beginning to have her art recognized as well.
No one, not even the person who called her a slut, would've known that unless you talked to her.
The boy they called poor had something happen that he didn't even expect to occur.
One of his parents got laid off from their job.
Almost everything came to a complete stop.
They couldn't buy the fancy clothes like all the other kids.
They did the best they could and the boy understood.
The "thug" African American wears that because he feels safe in it.
His friends don't make fun of him and he's not a misfit.
He's a kid trying to figure out where he belongs on this earth.
Finally, that boy was not labelled "gay" at birth.
He hugged his best friend because one of his parents just died.
He put their differences aside.
So the next time you see someone walking in the mall, or down the street.
Don't have a repeat.
Don't look at them and fit them into a category.
How about you first learn their story.
