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Kacheong LeeMrs. MccordENG 1017/31/13Definition Essay: RevisedIt is experience that makes us who we are; we are unique due to our different experiences. The biggest mistake I have made is pretending to be someone I’m not. I have questioned what it means to be myself: am I being myself or am I just conforming to the majority? Our identity in society can sometimes conflict with our beliefs. Our youth culture is heavily based on the binary opposition of individualism and conformity; teenagers have a difficult time expressing who they truly are. As a teenager, I have constant struggles of being myself and conforming with people’s beliefs simultaneously. There are traits we cannot change; epigenetic plays a vital role in defining our personality. In a society filled with norms and expectations, being an introvert can cause many speculations and assumptions such as being antisocial or a nerd. Having commitments does not promise the gift of intelligent. We should accept our personality and flaws as individuals to avoid turning people’s assumptions into our reality. Through this paper, I like to address how teenagers often try to fake themselves to conform to people’s expectations.I have never considered myself to be unusual or different; I do not know how to play any musical instruments or have any special talents. I always look at myself as a typical Asian-American teenager who has moved to a new country. There are plenty of teenagers like me, especially in the suburbs near Chicago. Moving to a different country is by far the most exhilarating experience for thrill-seekers. Coming from Hong Kong, a densely populated city, to Rockford, a typical town in Midwest; I have the opportunity to explore and emerge into with diversity of people. I get to meet gun enthusiasts, hipsters, farmers, and minorities like me. I have come to the conclusion that people are not so different after all. We are separated by various customs and religion, but we are inherently similar in feelings. Most of us just want a peaceful life with our family and friends. Still, it is amusing to experience the different stereotypes in various places. I think it is natural for people to place stereotypes about each other. Although stereotypes can often be offensive and stir anger, we can also find conformity and explain our existence as a culture of many. I find the assumption about me being intelligent to be hilarious. I think this assumption is due to the stereotype of Asians being smart. Many Asians I have met were not born to study textbooks. I think stereotypes regarding Asians being smart is due to cultures in Asia centered on commitment and family values. Being intelligent is different Being intelligent is different from commitment and passion. I have seen many lower class Asians, not educated in a professional field, being extremely committed to their work. I will attempt, in the best of my abilities, to have work completed after it is assigned. Compared to majority of irresponsible high school students, commitment is rarely found. I believe most Asian Americans are hard-working people with strong commitment to their goals. They do not do their work merely for passion and enjoyment, but also responsibility. A person with commitment shares many traits of an intelligent person. All intelligent people must have commitment to strive their goals while not all people with commitment have the intelligent to achieve their promises. Being an introvert in our society that demands large social interactions and group activities can be exhausting. People often assume that I’m shy or maybe even antisocial since I did not know much people in high school. It is my personality to be reserve and avoid the center of attention. I also never gave much effort into marking new friends or engage in class conversions. It was easy for teachers and classmates to make assumptions. I used to see shyness as a flaw that I hate. Instead of living up to people’s expectations, I think we should look at the goodness in each of us.Expectations and speculations can be powerful tools in altering people. Sometimes, stereotypes alter the way we look at ourselves. From my experience, I think we can subconsciously alter our values and beliefs to conform to these stereotypes. There are times I have struggles identifying myself, avoid becoming the person I am not. I believe that we live in a culture demanding us to be extraverts and be social with everyone. I have come to the realization that I’m introverted. Concepts of introverted and being shy have been commonly misunderstood as being identical. I enjoy time being alone most of the time. It can be difficult for me to be comfortable with people at start. I only have two close friends I’m comfortable with. I believe in the quality over quantity in friendship. Being an introvert does not mean being antisocial. I prefer to engage in deep conversions to share my thoughts. When dealing with abundant of friends, dramas and conflicts manifest themselves. This is why I have difficulties making true friends. I have tried to change myself from being an introvert. I have witnessed many negatives from being an introvert at school. Instead of going to parties and hangout, I rather spend most of my free time being outdoors by myself. Extraverts have an absolute edge in giving presentation, class discussions, and making friends. When people assume that I’m shy or stuck-up from being an introvert, it creates pressure alter my personality. High school is not only about academic success and preparing for college. It is also a stage for teenagers to identify who they truly are. Over the past few years, I have started to accept who I am. By accepting my personality which cannot be changed, I have become happier and grateful for my life. I have realized that it does not matter what people think it me or the stereotypes and assumptions brought on me. Being an individual makes us all unique. No one is perfect. If we are all extraverts in this world, there will not be a moment of silence in the world. I believe that our society is built upon our distinctiveness. Changing our personality to fit in with the culture is rather stupid and immature. We should not be afraid to express our personality. Being an individual with flaws makes us different from robot clones. ................
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