Throughout the high school experience, and even before and after, we strive to act like the majority, and we mimic our peers to get the smallest indications of approval and acceptance.

Yet when presented with the question of ‘What makes you, you?’ and ‘What makes you special?’ rarely do we answer with what makes us part of the majority, but what makes us unique. Even so, we rarely openly share these aspects of ourselves with others.

It is my personal opinion we should look into and explore what makes us different, what makes us part of a minority, rather than the majority. Now you may be thinking you’re just like everyone else, that you’re not very different or unique, but trust me, this is not true.

Although our government likes to recognize only those minorities that have a large voice or a lot of money, (like African-Americans, the gay community, and the disabled) many other minorities exist.

Simply the fact that you are a high school student puts you in a minority! The US Census in 2010 found that only about 25 percent of the nation’s population is under 18, while those ages 5 to 17 were only about 18 percent of the population. That right there places you in a minority, making you both different than those you interact with in daily life, as well as similar to others. And this is only the beginning- the number of details that make us unique individuals is infinite.

Throughout the course of this blog, I’m going to invite you to explore the ways in which you are an individual; and how this can affect your life, not only in interaction with your government, but also your place on the social ladder; and the ways in which you act every day. I’m going to take a look at how we can appreciate and live fully in what makes us different, yet also makes us similar to others in ways we never knew. Together, we’re going to find out just how to live in the minority.

Ideas on what I can talk about and share with others? Questions, comments, or concerns? Let me know at [email protected]!