Simh
I stated previously to a friend, "If it wasn't called 'red', what would we call it?" The key word is actually call, because we (society) are so desperate to label... well, everything.
When i was a child, i did not know the difference between white, indian or black people. Society taught me what race and color were.
When i was a child, i did not know that my best making fun of the kid on the bus who was wearing a turban was mild racism, at best. Society taught me of racism.
When i was a child, i did not know if other boys have pensies too and when at soccer practice, i learned that other boys did have penises too: my mother pulled me away out of fear of homosexuality. Society taught me of homophobia.
When i was too young to have ever gone to school before, i was playing with my favorite ninja turtles hair comb and one way or another, it flew out the window: a nice lady in the car behind us exited her car and handed it back to my mother for me. Society taught me the kindness of strangers.
When i recieved my comb back, i asked my mother what happens when you die, due to the fact I was under the age of four and to me, the comb disappearing was the act of it's death. I was told, "You go to heaven." "Why?" "Just because." i was a good kid and usually stopped asking questions when given an answer, mostly out of fear. Society taught me not to question what i was told to believe.
When i was young enough to remember things clearly enough, i figured my dad was never really going to be around because he always worked. There is one memory of holding hands, running towards the a&p grocery and the rest involve trying beer, watching a miss universe pageant and being asked if i preferred t or a. My father taught me how to keep my distance, but work for a better good when not being seen.
When i was young, my little brother was born and i watched him cry to get the things he wanted. i didn't like it or something, because i never did it. i watched him be rewarded while when i asked for something once and was told no, left it at that. Family taught me what it takes to get the things you feel like you need.
When i was young enough to attend school, the only way to make friends was to be involved in sports or to not wear glasses. I was good at being a goalie in soccer but I never really played with anyone outside of sports and being the smartest kid in class had its downsides. Society made it okay to be alone at a young age.
When i was young, i learned that i could have a crush on a girl, who had black curly hair, soft pale skin and a radiant smile. when i could remember my alphabet, i really liked how her name, starting with the letter S, was right next to my names, T and R. No one taught me how to love, so i kept it to myself like a secret.
When i got a bit older, i learned what it was like to leave everything you knew and were familiar with and move to the other side of the country.