Grayson Gets His Day

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

This past week has been filled with controversy raising topics from the death of Fred Phelps to the “My Little Pony” backpack.  Grayson Bruce, a nine year old attending Candler Elementary school, was told to leave his Rainbow Dash backpack at home because it was making him an easy target for bullies.  

bilerico.com

No sooner this order was given, the Internet exploded with controversy, anger, and confusion. Bruce was unaware of the outcome his backpack would bring and while wearing it, he endured physical and verbal assaults on a daily basis. As opposed to punishing the bullies for constantly attacking him, the principal chose to punish Bruce. However, the bullying took place way before he started bringing Rainbow Dash to school with him. If anything, the backpack just made it worse, which is a shame because the boy adores the show, claiming it isn’t girly at all.

In the past, “My Little Pony” was aimed towards girls, and if boys liked it, they were immediately teased for liking it. Now since the series has been rebooted, boys are watching the show alongside girls. Boys like Bruce, are buying action figures of Fluttershy and Apple Jack because they enjoy the show. They’re expressing themselves and Mrs. Bruce, his mother, understands that. What she doesn’t understand, along with people who are following this story, is that her son was punished for being himself as opposed to the bullies who were always ragging on him.

Since the incident, the nine year old has stopped taking “My Little Pony” items to school  and has been homeschooled; until three days ago.  With support from those who liked the Support for Grayson Facebook page and hash tagged #supportforgrayson, Candler Elementary is welcoming back the “My Little Pony” loving Bruce.

While this is all well and good, this story shows the flawed logic of our society. If we try to be ourselves, we are immediately bullied, and/or reprimanded to fit the norm. As children and even as we grow, we are taught two lessons that clash with each other: be yourself and go with the flow. So what are we to believe? If we be ourselves, we may be bullied and/or reprimanded. If we conform, we’ll be like everyone else. Bruce was taught by his mother to be himself. Even supporters on Facebook agreed that he should stand for what he likes, regardless of what anyone has to say about it.

I've always been taught to conform to the norm which frankly, I'm sick of doing. There is no normal because there's no clear definition for it other than going with the flow. But the flow constantly changes, so it's never the same. Besides, no one has the same life. Our lives are different, which aid in shaping us to being different and being ourselves. What may be an ideal situation for me, could be a disastrous occurrence for someone else.

Besides, I like to stand out anyway because I love who I am. I am a twenty three year old who enjoys playing video games, geeking out to pop culture, analyzing literature, and loving art. 

Fellow readers where do you stand? Do you like to stand out from the crowd and be yourself? Or do you like to be conservative and conform to the norm?