giving a speech about the death penalty during a debate program at school

“Be a voice, not an echo.” — Albert Einstein

There is an ancient Japanese proverb that says, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” This wisdom teaches us that when someone dares to be different, to stand out in a crowd, they risk drawing criticism, judgment, and even punishment from their community and the institutions that govern it. This certainly resonates with my experiences growing up in a predominantly Catholic country where traditional values and beliefs are prevalent.

As a girl, there were a lot of expectations that were presented early in my childhood. Sitting up straight, dressing modestly, being modest, not being too loud, not eating too much, etc. These expectations were like a tight corset, constraining my spirit. They silently urged me to bite my tongue and silence my thoughts. The idea of being the ideal, subservient girl seemed to be the unquestioned norm.

Yet, as I entered my teenage years, this felt increasingly suffocating. Being the classic curious me, I couldn't help but question these roles that girls and women were expected to conform to within our society. This led to a lot of radicalizing ideas springing up in 11-year-old me, leading me down a rabbit hole of confidence and freedom.

I soon realized that a life of keeping silent can easily lead to a life filled with regrets and dull shades of conformity. It's one thing to live harmoniously and follow the rules, but it's another to do so blindly, turning a blind eye to the injustices around us. The words of Desmond Tutu echo in my mind: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."