By Delaney Whittet
Editor-in-Chief
Seven billion individuals roam the earth. A sea of bodies expands across it, weaving, bumping, colliding. Each interaction differs from the last; yet, a constant fear of being alone and a ceaseless need for a sense of belonging remains.
There is something comforting about the justification of our beliefs and ideas from others. When we are able to ignore fragments of the world’s complexity, it seems to spin a bit more slowly.
In an attempt to find clarity, we have developed a desperation to define ourselves with a single word. We group our beliefs and ideas into a few letters that we hope will ultimately prove that there is action rooted in our convictions. And, if we can find a word to describe other people, the world suddenly not only spins more slowly but also seems to become explainable.
Our collective identity becomes a series of organized boxes complete with one-word labels based on skin color, gender and political parties. People are insignificant pieces that can be clumped together and stored within the boxes, defined by a word that provides a deceptively simple explanation for our differences.
This year, one of my teachers asked the class if we identify ourselves with an association. I raised my hand high, certain that I could categorize myself with a group.
Then, upon further consideration, I bent my arm, and placed it on my desk as I suddenly found myself unable to squeeze into nothing more than a few letters.
We are overflowing with opinions, hopes and ideas, and it’s impossible to pack everything we encompass into one word.
Our dependence upon one another is too essential to be forcibly disconnected. If we could learn to embrace our collisions and spin in cohesion with the world rather than attempting to slow it down, then maybe we wouldn’t feel so alone.
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