so, health class today we did an activity where we had to write down 5 categories that we fit into, but that we also feel are important in defining us. everybody else put the expected responses like girl, student, jewish, athlete, black/white, etc. surely these are characteristics, but my question is this: does it really matter? my response to this activity was greatly different from everyone elses response. i could only think of one answer, which was simply "human". why should ones gender or race define them as a person? what defines a person is what they do, and not where they were born. people put too much emphasis on superficial traits, and not enough emphasis on emotional traits. who cares if that one kid is a nerd? have you ever seen him be mean to somebody else, or show blatant self absorption? if not, then what gives you the right to dehumanize him with words or by violence? so what if you play sports, or wear cool clothes? this issue is too big to dissapear over night, but i try not to judge people, and i hope everyone who reads this tries to do the same.