Share and Enjoy

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I used to be uncomfortable around people who were EMO. If I even suspected someone was one I’d avoid conversation and eye contact with them at all cost. I guess I just couldn’t understand why anyone would do that to themselves. All I really knew is that they were different than me and for some reason that wasn’t cool. [fofl]

Eight months ago though everything changed.

While typing a paper on a friend’s computer, I found EMO videos and images in his hard drive. I was shocked. I confronted him and he broke down. “I was born this way guy, I can’t help it,” he cried. I told him I never wanted to see him again and I left.

I didn’t speak to him for months after he came out to me. I was angry at him. How could he do this to me? To our family? To himself? One night as I sat in my apartment and mourned what I considered to be the loss of a brother and friend, it dawned upon me that it was my behavior that was shameful, not his. I had to reevaluate my attitude towards EMO’s. I needed to learn to accept my friend for who he was, not who I wanted him to be.

I’d always used my [non]religion to justify my fear and hatred of EMO’s, but when I finally challenged my own belief system, I realized that I was hiding behind my [non]religion and it was my own insecurities that had fueled my hate. I also realized that being EMO hadn’t been a choice for my friend, but he had been born that way. I couldn’t expect him to repress his EMO urges anymore than he could expect me to repress my own. Two weeks ago I called him and we had dinner together.

What I now understand is that EMO’s are here to stay and the rest of us need to learn to live with that and accept them into our communities. Regardless of how we feel about their lifestyle, we need to stop the mindless bigotry and hate that’s directed towards them. They are much more than just socially awkward weirdo’s, they are our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and often time…our friends.

As far as I go, I’m coming along slowly with the whole idea…..concept. I know there are some aspects of my friend’s lifestyle that will take a while for me to get used to, but more importantly, I also know that I love my friend unconditionally.

And besides…….

At least he’s not gay……..

“this story brought to you by the ‘this story is not true’ dept.”