So, why is the "odd one" always "out"? Why isn't the phrase, "The odd one shines," or "The odd one brings new perspectives and opportunities." Surely we need a culture that embraces the different, for how else are we to elevate ourselves as a species and learn? Because until we truly embrace diversity as strength and individuality as marvellous - nobody really belongs, we all simply "fit in" as cogs in some machine that don't quite see what we are a small part of. It is those "odd ones" who step out from the machine and look back in horror, who desperately try to warn the others that the "machine" is causing damage, that we aren't supposed to be "cogs." Perhaps the "odd ones" are there to bring us the rare victories, the "odd win." My brain isn't as brave as I want it to be, for in this room there so many others and there's this little voice saying I'm not good enough to be here. I wonder if you guys saw the real me, the child who wanted to be with those who loved me the way family do, to be in a crowd of friends rather than in a crowd. Perhaps we're all the same, just some of us show it a bit more. Everyone said it was just social anxiety, but there were days it felt like a pain I couldn’t conquer. I didn’t want to go back home after school, because there's no chance of change, no hope of catching a smile from some other soul who feels the same way I do. Everyone is scared of having nothing. The rich hoard their money to preserve not only themselves but their descendants. The middle classes aspire to be rich, either hoarding or spending money they don't have in order to maintain the appearance of wealth. The poor go from pay-check to pay-check under the chronic stress of never having enough. Who wins? Why do we all fight so hard to preserve a system that is so broken? Are we so scared of change? People are happiest when they volunteer and when they know they have a nice home, enough food, health care and education. Are we so dumb we can only think of two systems that have both been proven damaging? Capitalism leads to gross environmental damage and wealth disparity, communism leads to oligarchs and more unchecked abuses of power. A species that can produce the iPhone could do better if they tried. So why haven't we? Could it be that we are too obsessed with fixing broken systems to just think of something new? We don't have to have a world of social injustice, isn't it time to think differently? I know you worked hard for that house and fine car; I'm happy for you that you have something so nice. But please understand that I worked hard too. You say you worked harder in school, I'm sure you did, I spent my childhood hungry and disillusioned. I know there are those who succeed no matter what start they get and they are an inspiration it's true. Do you think if you'd had my start you'd be where I am or where they are? Honestly? We know that if we give the same excellent start to children from poor backgrounds they do just as well as their better heeled peers. Of course everyone wants the best for their children, so do I. This scarcity of resources for the young is artificial, a bi-product of how we run the world with monetary systems. If we can't prioritize the care of all children, forget adults, where are we heading as a society? But I digress. I work two jobs and sleep hardly at all. I'm lucky if I can make rent payments and food in any given month. I build the roads you drive on, the houses you live in, but I am nobody to anyone, human "garbage" it seems. Is that justice? Are my living conditions a punishment for my early years? I don't need a fancy home like yours or the finest foods, just something decent and the crippling stress that it could be taken away from me if I get an injury removed. I'm no communist, but shouldn't we care more? I guess you really wanted to succeed at the expense of others. When I came to you with a toddler's open heart you only saw an annoyance, another mouth to feed, a bottom to wipe. But I saw you as my only hope to fill the void after losing my mother. She fought to keep me and instead I got you, you who counted the slices of cheese and totted up your balance book. My crying was “manipulation” and my sadness was “put on for attention.” Every day you looked at the kid in front of you and killed her a little more. Killed her with “professional care.” All I am is hatred, all I am is rage, and I won't give you the satisfaction of seeing me at the bottom of a bottle. I still resent my siblings, but not as much as you. For we cannot blame children who haven’t been raised properly by parents, more like monsters in their case. When anxiety and fear grab me by the tongue and dry my mouth, I don't panic anymore. I've been there before, I know the feeling, and knowing it makes it less scary - I am all the stronger for my battle scars. (Credit's section for more)
So instead of letting it take me down, I tell myself everything will be alright. I remind myself that I am a good person, I do good things, I have a heart full of love and there is world is full of good people out there. Fear can only hold me back, stop me from reaching my dreams. I can't say it never comes again, but each victory gets a little easier. You see, making me feel alone, sad and different from the rest of your children definitely worked in making me feel sad and useless from the time being I was there but now, it made me stronger. I feel more peace when I look at my trashy apartment with just me rather than the gigantic house with no love, I used to live in. So, now I wanted to write this letter to tell you how I feel about you and your family. Hopefully you all are having a wonderful life without me, the odd adopted child. May you live in the wretched memories you caused. From ###### _____________ Instructions: Wait 5.7 seconds for the information slides to show up. Press space to rotate between both backdrops and click on the slides to change slides
