humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Emotional Education
I. A Familiar Scene A newly successful couple walks into the grand ballroom, admiring the white tablecloths covered with silver platters of roasted birds. The majestic golden-wrought staircases are swarming with high society, affluent adults dressed to the nines. The multitudes mill around the meal, absentmindedly discussing the weather or the wine, carefully sidestepping controversy. The couple, after a few missteps, learns to dance with pleasant politeness, no matter how inauthentic it seems. They return home early, exhausted, wondering why they had fought so hard to get to the top. A fifteen-year-old girl is scared to talk to the boy she likes at her first ever high school party. She covers her insecurities with makeup and a new blue skirt, pleated on the sides. Standing on her own against a brick wall, lips pursed to look pretty, she pretends to be too cool to be approachable, and turns away all the boys who ask her to dance. The one she likes doesn’t even try - why should he get rejected, too? She remains on the sidelines, staring at her phone, silent tears falling behind her red solo cup. A five-year-old boy pulls a girl’s brown ponytail as she runs toward the yellow monkey bars. She cries because he is hurting her. He hurts her because he was hurt when she said she wanted to play with her friends and not him. But he doesn’t know how to tell her this; he just keeps pulling.
By Morgan Sweeney8 years ago in Humans
Bullying
I do believe that bullying should be considered a hate crime. While a ten year old may think it’s all in fun, they may not realize the irreparable damage they are causing. If the behavior is allowed to continue, they may carry it with them up in to adulthood. By bullying I don’t mean simple picking and playing. The world has changed so much since people my age were children.
By James Howell8 years ago in Humans
Day Dreamer
Maggie Summers was just a normal 18 year old high school girl. Unfortunately she didn't fit in anywhere. Not even in high school. Everyone laughed at her and called her names. They insulted her family, mostly her father, who was killed in the military a few years back. Her mother wasn't in good shape either. And everyone knew her mother as the town drunk. Maggie's life wasn't all rainbows and unicorns like some girls her age.
By Sabal Cloonan8 years ago in Humans
Stupid, Lazy, Entitled Millennials
Hi. My name is Samantha and I am a ‘Millennial.’ In a way I hate that term, largely because it is painted in the media as being such a bad thing. to have the misfortune of being born when we were (between the years of 1982 - 2004 approx). Recently, Good Morning Britain dared ask the question ‘Are Millennials Useless?’ This spurred me to write this piece; it has been bubbling under the surface for some time and now the finger fury has begun to type away. According to the Baby Boomer generation we are lazy, stupid, and entitled. Said generation, you know, the ones that gave birth to us Millennials and raised us to be how we are, the generation that grew up in the 60s and 70s making sweet love and doing casual drugs. The richest generation in history (fact) that could afford university fees on a summer job waiting tables, and come straight out of education into a career. Or, should they choose not to go to uni, get a factory job, in a time where houses and living costs were affordable on one wage packet and that also supported their 2.5 children…. yeah, them. They make wild statements about my generation. The generation that will be the first in history to be worse off then our parents, every dream of allowing my mum and dad to retire early while I pay for their lavish holidays, has been axed… and my brothers and I make good money. Respectfully.
By Samantha Bentley8 years ago in Humans
Do We Know Each Other?
I was scrolling through my Facebook feed a few nights ago when the suggested friends post came into view. Most of the time, they were the same people. Friends of friends or people that lived in the same town as me. Normally, I just ignored it. If they weren't on my friend list now, then there was probably a reason for it. This time, I saw the name of a girl I used to be really good friends with in high school. I was a bit surprised because I could have sworn we were still friends on Facebook. So, I didn't think anything of it when I clicked the little add friend button. I went on with my night and forgot about it until today.
By Ash William8 years ago in Humans
When You Lose Someone to Suicide...
The loss of a friend and a family member are two different feelings. But the loss of a best friend that was basically family is something different. Losing someone to suicide is one of the most painful things I have personally have ever had to experience in my life by far. You think about things you could've, would've, and should've said. Then a few days go by and then the denial sets in. Let me tell you about my experience with suicide.
By Chasaty Craig8 years ago in Humans
Toxic Relationships: What Are They and How to Get Help
Toxic relationships really are more than common these days, especially within young adults 16-24, the statistics say that more than 60% of young adults are in toxic relationships (physically abusive or psychologically abusive, or both).
By Izzy Somerville8 years ago in Humans
Crossed Wires
Standing at 5'6", I'm only in control of 4'7" myself. The 11 inches above my neck are foreign. My mouth often says things faster than my brain can actually process them, which often portrays a different picture to my listening ear than I intended. My eyes often see things out of a lens that I’m not sure many other people can understand, let alone see. My limbic system, it's constantly in fight or flight mode and my temporal lobe often seems like it does not exist. My amygdala has a good memory, however often has trouble paying attention.
By Dani Vinci8 years ago in Humans
