INDEPENDENCE AND individuality are very important to some while others prefer to fit in with their peers. Sometimes a group of friends will develop the same in- , terests and styles (such as the clothes they wear). Which is better or more important: being a unique individual or fitting in with the- gang? Why? PERSONALITY MASKS _ Balancing: individuality against life’s limitations Y AM ‘confident that many of you would agree that a “ghameleon is quite an acceptable creature, in the sense that vit always fits in wherever it might be. These fascinating lizards change , their colors so ‘they can belong, or ‘more. correctly, blend into their- surroundings. This also helps them feel protected and keeps them from going out on a limb, taking a risk, or being themselves. Chameleons are never the kind ‘to ‘stand out, or be confident enough to show their true colors, but .are in fact, or so it’ seems, comfortable to lie back and cover “up their individuality so that. they are always very much accepted by _.their familiar environments. _ _. This ‘might.,make one wonder .whether.they have a color cf their own, or for.that matter even know what their true colors are! And. if they do, are they willing te stand out as their own kind? “I often. come across people who seem. to.be very different from whot they portray to society, their --personality,, that is. In other ‘words, they change themselves for . the people around them. Why is this? Is it because they ea are afraid; afraid of beirg dif- ‘ferent, maybe having a different point.of view, a different ‘opinion, oar: different upbringing, a different » Style? : “© “The key word here is different. oi Let me try and explain: myself, ‘A lot of people put their thoughts ‘away ina little box, wrap them up - as if they were a little package to ‘be left unopened, for if it were to be opened, it. would be like an “unacceptadile, present to the ; Feceiver, or in this case, society. ‘A-large number of people at school, at work, and even in the ~. family don’t give themselves the pleasure of freedom of thought. If one allows: oneself to think freely, it will lead to being able to express “personal styles which, in turn, would bring out true character. » By Laila Noormohamed b> ZAP! Contributor «a According to the New Webster’s Dictionary, personality is defined as ‘‘the total of the psychological, intellectual, emotional and physi- cal characteristics that make up the individual, especially as. others see him.” Keeping this definition in mind, 1 believe that a lot of people hide their personalities : because of in- securities and lack of confidence. Not only that, but they are willing to change themselves in an at- tempt to be somebody who they are not in order to be accepted by society in general,, and more specifically, their work team, their family, or popular friends that accept only a particular type of image. In shuzt, they try to be someone they are not. A fot of what you have read _here is about people worried about - being different, which, in reality, is really being. afraid of who you are. They bury their personalities to be accepted for who they are net, instead of who they are. I honestly don’t think it’s a matter of being different, it’s a matter of It’s unfortunate that living in _this world isn’t as easy as. we might sometimes want it to be. Just’ as there are iwo-sides to a coin, there are two sides to. this article. - . Considering what i have already written, you might think, ‘‘Obay, Pil be ny own person, follow my own views, live life the way ! see fit, and not care about anyone else."” Would this make me hap- py? Sure, why aot, but only if a one-sided coin existed. |} doa’t ‘think one can not care about others, because they — the socie- ty, the family, the work team, the frierids, and the associates — are the ones who make up the rest of this world. I guess what I’m trying to get across is that there are certain things called respect for others, etiquette, opinions, rights, and having an open mind. Leaving the chameleon types behind, let's look at the more in- dividual extremist types — for ex- ample, Madonna. Madonna, as I see it, doesn’t really give two hoots as to what society thinks of her actions, attitudes, bluntness, and the ability to be tremendously revealing in more than just one way. Often, these particular types of people offend others and many might question their mora! abuse and. Icss of respect for others. Then again, it is a free world, you are your ow person, and everyone has a4 right to be themselves, but I strongly believe that no matter what, life has limits and so does our right of express- ing our individuality. fs there a medium when it comes to either being too individ- “ual or too. mush of a follower? Yes, because ihere.is such a thing called balance. Personally, 1 bstieve that everyone should. always be themselves, while at rhe same time have respect for others without hindering, their own opi- nions. In the case of chameleons, I think pro-individuality would make this world a whole lot more colorfui. Laila isa 16-year-old Sutherland secondary school stu- dent. who isin Grade 11. She's interested in taking photographs: and writing poctry as well as painting and drawing. She's looking fotward to a future as a designer, graphic artist, or a jour- nalist. <@ard.contest with a grand ps prize 0 of.a,trip for Be to FOR SALE / ates ‘the Mardi Gras in New Orlé sl Eyou't Mood” to win, drop by soon!