Written by Srinwanti Sen
Edited by Ananya Athaiya
Illustration by Tanisha Som
INDEPENDENCE OF EXPRESSION
‘Freedom’ and ‘Independence’ are two words we have come across in a lot of places and tend to use them synonymously sometimes. If asked to define, a lot of us will probably not be able to differentiate between the two instantly. Some might also ask, ‘Is there really a difference between the two words ? Don’t they mean the same thing at the end ?’ Actually, no. ‘Freedom’ means that you have multiple options to choose from and you can use these choices/options without any constraints whereas ‘independence’ means that you are not under the control of any particular authority and you can do things on your own. An example of freedom could be that you are free to express yourself, your thoughts and opinions however you want in today’s world, while an example of independence could simply mean being financially independent and earning money instead of being dependent on others for it.
The independence of self-expression is something which most of us may/may not be given by the society. Self-expression is the idea of being yourself and showing your uniqueness and creativity to the world instead of being a copy of someone else. It means to show the society what is appealing to you, what makes you stand out and how you tend to portray it in front of others. It also means to show your ideas, personality, beliefs and values to others in a way which best suits you and is appealing to you. The way you dress, speak, walk, the pronouns you use, the gender you identify with, what are your notions/opinions about a certain topic all show how you choose to express yourself. This ultimately creates a long-lasting impact.
Our society has always been very judgmental and critical towards anyone who has tried to experiment with their style or come out as a member of the LGBT+ community. Such people are never really accepted by society and are discriminated against or pushed into the marginalized sections of society. Many stereotypes and prejudices regarding the person’s character come up and they are judged harshly. Many have also been conditioned since childhood that such behaviours or drastic changes are bad/shameful, which is why they tend to make such harsh judgements and criticism to those who engage with it. This is how society tends to restrict anyone who tries to express themselves and their individualism.
Many people, especially teenagers and young adults are scared of being scrutinized and being isolated by everyone and thus try to stick to the acceptable societal norms which make them appear as ‘good’, ‘disciplined’ and ‘well-behaved’ instead of being seen as bad influences. They don't want to express themselves differently, and ultimately choose to stay inside their closets for a very long time. The fear of not being supported by family members and friends and being seen as a disappointment by everyone is instilled since childhood.
However, we all need to accept that it is all about perspective. Everyone should express and be their true self confidently without having to fear being judged.
Sure, there will be people who don’t agree with you and appreciate your preferences. But there will also be many people who will admire you for your assertiveness. They might even be grateful to you for giving them the courage to express themselves differently instead of always following the norms and rules set by the society. Forming a close bond between children and parents and spreading awareness about such topics also matters because the child then feels that their family members can be a safe place for them and will not turn them away or be unaccepting.
It is not always easy to express oneself differently without having the fear of being isolated and insulted by others. But it sure is possible , and accepting and remembering the fact that everyone is different makes things a lot easier for everyone.
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