Letter #7

To the society,

'You're not pretty enough', 'You're not slim enough' and 'You're not fair enough'. Not enough. We are always not enough for you.

These are a few of the opinions you tell us, society. A few of many.

There are so many things you want us to be, from deciding how fair you want us to be to how you want us to act. Everything is decided by you.

Why?

Whatever we do, we first think about what you would think of us. You are the governing factor in our every decision.

Why?

Why should this be?

Why should we always try to live up to your standards? Why should we go by what you think is beautiful? What is beautiful, society? Fair-skinned, tall, long hair? Wasn't beauty supposed to come from within?

We were taught not to differentiate or think low of someone if their appearance is different. Then, why, society, is everyone more invested in looks? I know why. It's because of you. It's because of how they want to please you. You have started ruling our lives from the day we were born by creating rules of your own. Boys should have a six-pack, they should be strong, they should not cry. Aren't boys human who have feelings as well? Why can't they be sad and cry? What's the harm in that? Girls should be fair, they should be slim, they should know how to cook. Why? Is a girl's only duty to know how to cook? Don't they have the right to study and work if they want to?

I will tell you. They are like this because you made them be like this. You have created these barriers which they are afraid to break. They are afraid of 'Log Kya Kahenge'. They are afraid of what you will think.

But I am not, society. Do you hear me? I am not. I am not afraid of you or what your perception of me might be. I promise to be myself, to be free and do as I please. I promise not to dress up as you want me to and I promise not to spend those extra five minutes in front of the mirror trying to think what to put on which is acceptable by you.

I promise to be me, always.

I am not afraid of you, society. I never was, I never will be.

From,

The one who doesn't care for you.