Saturday, June 16, 2012

Seeing a Person for who they really are

We all judge people. We are all guilty of it, whether or not we choose to admit it.

We may think "I accept all people of all ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders, stereotypes, etc". But in the end, at one point or another you will see another person or hear something of another person and judge that thing.

For example. *Insert name here* just got a nipple piercing. Judged? Yes. 
OR
*Insert name here* just shaved half of their hair. Judged? Yes.
OR
*Insert name here* skipped 4th period yesterday. Judged? Yes.

I am guilty of it. The biggest way I am guilty of judging people is by judging them based upon their appearance. I find I am very guilty of it at work. I am really skeptical about some of the people that come to the Library, and a lot of them are somewhat "sketchy" (judged). But the truth is, no matter what, there is a person in there.

I am not saying I am going to get to know these people at work, but still, I accept that there is a human in there, worthy of not having to be judged.

Recently in one of my classes, there were a few people in my art class I really judged hardcore. I even talked to these people in class. I assumed they were in Art just for the credit, thinking its an easy course. I am in it (was :( ) because I like expressing myself. Also, I decided I didn't want Marketing and dropped that course and art was one of my only options. For part of our culminating activity, we had to get into groups of 4-5 people and the teacher would ask one person in the group, questions about their art and the other members of the group would watch. My friend went first, I went second.

Everybody else went afterwards.

Now, some people here may not actually understand how art is a form of personal expression, especially if you have not taken art or actually understand art. 

But 3 of the members of my group I was not expecting them to be deep and actually have meaning behind their art. My art has a LOT of symbolism and stuff in it, which they were really impressed by. But going around looking at their art and hearing their point of view, and them actually talking about art, I judged them. I thought that they wouldn't know anything about art (some didn't) but the truth is that their art did have meaning behind it. 

I actually learned things about them through their art. Things that I judged about them. The one person actually had a favourite artist. I didn't think he liked art at all, considering the fact that he has skipped. The other members, besides me and my friend all said they regretted missing certain units (from skipping) and that they wished they hadn't.

It was actually so fascinating to me to learn about themselves through their art. At first I thought they might be bullshitting their oral presentations (JUDGED) but then I realized, this is kind of hard to bullshit. They were actually being honest.

I hope that the teacher gives them a good mark. I think that even she was impressed over how much meaning and understanding they have actually acquired in their art this year.

I should tell her that. I just might.

So I guess the moral of my story is to look deeper into people to see who they really are. Sometimes judging *isn't* a bad thing. Sometimes its safe to judge people. Like maybe you judge someone as a stalker, and they actually are, thats not bad. Unless they aren't, then you are kind of screwed. But you just have to find your fine line.

But no matter what you do, do not expect the way you judge someone to actually be who they are, because chances are, you are wrong. 

You judge people based off of your personal experiences and opinions throughout life: i.e., that guy from 5 years ago that never washed his hair, and steals money, and then thinking the next time you see a guy who never washes their hair,  5 years later, you may judge them to be a thief, although maybe they are homeless, or cannot afford their water bill that month. Who knows? 

You never know.

I am changing "Life Advice" to "Quotes" but they will be quotes that I have made up. Either that or something REALLY inspirational to me.

Personal Quote: "The first mistake a historian can make is believing their current civilization is superior to the past civilization of their studies."

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