I remember one day in elementary school some girl on the playground saw that my T-shirt had slipped up and yelled out, “Oh my god, you have back hair like a boy!”
Although this comment has stuck with me through the years because it was the first time I ever realized people noticed and commented on others’ looks, it doesn’t bother me anymore. I’ve accepted and come to appreciate my background for giving me my thick hair and dark eyebrows.
That statement is the only thing I remember about that girl. I don’t remember her name, what she looked like, her grade, or anything at all.
What I do remember most clearly about that day is Katrina. She was a year older than me and had straight blondish hair. I remember her, because after I ran away from the mean girl across the playground Katrina came up to me and said, “Are you okay? You are such a fast runner by the way, do you want a Cheeto?”
I remember eating that Cheeto and thinking it was delicious and for the rest of the day I didn’t really think about the earlier comment; I thought about how I was the fastest kid on the playground and how I should ask my mom to start buying me Cheetos for lunch.
I think my situation really shows how far one small act of kindness goes. Katrina barely knew me; I’m not even sure if she knew what my name was. But she saw an opportunity to show some kindness and that is what has stuck with me through the years. I’ve been thinking about this event recently, and it has reminded me how important simple acts of kindness are and how much one person’s actions can affect someone else’s perceptions of themselves and the world.
In this current political climate, kindness is crucial.
There’s no way to know just by looking at someone how recent events have affected them. With the recent political discussions regarding gun control, immigration, and the role of government, it is important to remember that these events and discussions could be deeply affecting someone. Showing a bit of extra kindness could remind us all about the good in people and brighten someone’s day. So much of what we see in the news is negative, you can be a reminder to someone else that random acts of kindness still exist.
Cover image source: Pixabay