Personalities: Telling us ‘no’ only fires us up more
Business Manager Kori Martin
There are certain types of people, let’s call them success-driven, who need a little assistance in being understood. In the following piece, I will explain why there are petitions in school over graduation, arguments and heated debates over block schedule, and just plain controversy when it comes to making any decision. I will also explain why these loud, obnoxious, or self-righteous people are the way they are.
The success-driven. We all know those kids in class who finish everything early and get 100 percent on every test without a sweat. These kids are intelligent, advanced, and driven by the idea that they will be successful and nothing is going to get in their way. My Spanish class has about five examples of the epitome of success-driven students. These kids not only strive for academic excellence, but strive to better themselves intellectually through intense political, social, moral, and basically any debate they can conjure up. It’s not that they feel they have to discuss these topics, but rather that they enjoy the mental stimulation that comes from defending what they believe is right.
The downfall to these types of people, I have noticed, is the entitlement it seems our generation feels. My dad and I have discussed this topic numerous times. When I felt it wasn’t right that we didn’t have a say on whether we got block schedule or not, and when I didn’t think it was fair that the seniors didn’t get to graduate in the Apple Bowl and a petition went around, my dad enlightened me on something I had never noticed. I, personally, because I cannot speak for everyone, feel an extreme sense of entitlement. I feel like it is my right to choose my academic environment, and my obligation to help my fellow classmates by signing a petition.
I know I, and quite a few of my friends, believe we deserve the right to choose our learning environment, but it is apparently not very clear to us yet, that we aren’t always going to get what we want. These types of people won’t simply take no for an answer; they won’t be told how to do something that they don’t agree with. They certainly won’t just stand idle when something they disagree with is happening.
I am one of these people, and I am aware that I can be annoying when I constantly bring up things that I don’t believe are right. I know that I can get loud when I debate about things I’m passionate about. But most importantly, I know that someday, all this arguing and negative attention from people who just want us to do what they want, will pay off. When the world needs the truth, and when the world needs someone to actually say something, these success-driven people will be here … waiting to save the day.
Next time you try to quiet the thoughts and ideas of someone around you, just to be politically correct or to “get by,” don’t. Chances are, you’re wasting your breath, because telling our type “no” only fires us up.
Christi Lewis • Jan 9, 2015 at 11:51 am
I applaud you on your insight regarding “success-driven” people (as you describe them) and the response such people frequently encounter from those who want them to “sit down and be quiet”. This very relationship between those driven to ask questions, debate, challenge and those wishing to stop them is a core element in the internationally researched and growing social crisis called Workplace Bullying or Workplace Mobbing. The National Education Association (NEA) and Washington Dept. of L & I are excellent sources for a basic understanding, while a quick internet search provides extensive information (history, research/data, human/economic costs, protection/recovery from…) of Workplace Bullying and Mobbing. I mention this as people such as you are ‘typical’ victims of Workplace Bullying. Understanding this phenomenon is a powerful and effective protection from such victimization.
Always remember that history is full of so-called annoyingly passionate people whose refusal to be silenced has improved the lives of all of us. It is seldom easy or comfortable, but you are in excellent company. Stay strong. Continue to debate, question, and learn. Refuse to be silenced.
Respectfully,
Christi Lewis