Today I have the honor of sharing what Jessica Spotswood has dealt with on bullying. Nobody should have to deal with these issues, yet I think we all have in some way or another. Here is Jessica's story.
I wasn't a cheerful child. I was a worrier, and I didn't yet know how to hide
it. I was shy and bookish. I had glasses and braces and a deeply unfortunate
curly mullet.
The bullying started in fifth grade. I remember a group of pretty, popular
girls who barked at me and called me a dog. Who targeted me in dodgeball and
made fun of me in gym. In seventh grade, I was in some sort of life skills class
during 5th period, which was weirdly assigned A lunch, populated mostly by
juniors and seniors. Our lone table of twelve year olds banded together - except
they banded against me, teasing me about my high voice and calling me Care Bear.
I don't even remember WHY Care Bear - only sitting there feeling humiliated and
hated, not wanting to eat or speak or do anything to draw attention to myself. I
remember feeling ugly and very small. I remember how much I dreaded those
days.
I found my tribe the next year, when I was thirteen. Some friends convinced
me to try out for the spring musical, and even though I loathed the idea of
singing in front of people, even though I was only in the chorus, I found my
place. In theatre the kids were loud and quirky and unapologetic. It didn't
matter if I was shy, because someone was always performing and in need of an
audience. The kids who were addicted to drama off-stage as well as on needed
someone to listen and give them advice. And somehow, in between putting together
shows and painting sets and memorizing lines and singing inappropriate
renditions of "The Farmer and the Cowhand," something miraculous happened - we
became a big crazy family. Those were my best friends until graduation.
As a teen, I was revoltingly cheery. Sweet, optimistic, understanding - I
signed all my notes "love and sunshine." I never went through a rebellious
phase; I was too busy trying to please everyone to slam doors or raise my voice.
I was the peacemaker, the matchmaker. But sometimes it felt like I was playing
Jessie, frenetically happy-happy-happy. What would happen if I stopped? Would
anyone still like me?
I was happy - but I don't think I was really content, at home in my
own skin, until after grad school, when I gave up on theatre as a career. Until
I reclaimed the idea that it was ok to be quiet and bookish and me. Until
I started chasing the dream in my heart of hearts - to be a writer.
It's important to find your tribe -
but it's even more important to find yourself.
Thank you for this post. That was kind of how I was. Just makes me wonder, if there were all these other lonely kids, why didn't I ban with them sooner and create our own clique?
ReplyDeleteAnd I just want to say, I haven't read Born Wicked yet but that cover is a beaut!
Great post. Thank you for sharing Jessica. It's very important to just be yourself, but I think when we are younger it's easier to just be who we need to be to fit in and escape the harsh reality that is the cruel kids. It's too bad that so many people do have to do that though.
ReplyDeleteExcellent story. I never dealt with bullying until my kids were in school. Then I tackled it with the school administrators and forced them to confront the lawyer's daughter who was the instigator. Jealousy was her reason. I even spoke with this girl after she threatened my daughter on the phone. That experience will never be forgotten. IMO, the schools are not doing enough to combat this problem.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to give you a big hug! I think almost everyone has felt alone and misunderstood, but when kids cross the line into aggressive behavior, it's a terrible and devastating thing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with us, Jessica--and thanks for hosting this, Uniquely Moi!
I love this! So happy you found the real you and that you realize how awesome she is!
ReplyDelete