Girl: Yeah, why?
Stupid Boy 1: I don't really want to look at it, I'm just joking. Did you get that from the library?
Girl: No.
Stupid Boy 1: I love the library. No, I don't really; I'm not gay.
Stupid Boy 2: Hahaha.
I overheard this conversation last week in a science lesson. I was doing an experiment with my lab partner, trying to find out how much oil was in a crisp (pointless) when this idiot from my table started talking to the girl who I was working with. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it was enough to make me want to slap him.
You see, at my school, reading is NOT cool. If you read and admit you enjoy reading, people laugh at you and call you a bookworm that has no life. I have never openly admitted I like reading to any of my peers. Does that make me a bad person, I don't know. I just know what kind of scrutiny will come my way if I admit it. I can't deal with that drama of having the last ounce of dignity being torn to shreds by saying: Yes, I'm sure billionaires J.K Rowling and Stephenie Meyer would agree with little nose-picking you, that reading is gay. I feel ashamed to say that I have never stood up for reading. Kids don't just randomly bring up how stupid reading is, but they will voice their opinion if they think it is. So why can't I? I'm not a confident person so I just speak to my other reader friends about books that I like or books that are coming up. But, it got me to thinking about why people think reading is 'nerdy'.
I just don't get how it is. All you're doing is sitting down, looking at words and caring about something other than who flashed their knickers getting out of a taxi. People say reading is 'gay' whilst they like watching TV. I like TV but I like reading too. I don't have a TV blog because I think too many people watch TV and not enough people read. Watching TV is just like reading except, when you read, you're using your imagination. Is it 'gay' to have an imagination? Is that a social crime now? I can't explain why people think reading is nerdy. I think it's because the quiet kids are labeled 'nerds' and when you read, you're silent as you become engrossed in a story. Oh yeah, I forgot. Being quiet is totally nerdy(!)
Even though I may not have enough confidence to stand up for reading in person, this blog is enabling me to voice MY opinion in a way that will reach readers, internationally. Hiding behind a computer whilst saying it, may say something about me as a person; but next time I'll pursue enough confidence in myself to stand up for something I love.
9 comments:
I don't think you should feel bad for not standing up to idiots. Reading speaks for itself; it's amazing and a skill. Feel superior :)
I completely understand what you mean about not being able to stand up for yourself about reading because I am not a confident person myself. But I have always enjoyed being unique and even though, yes, I was called a bookworm and nerd when I was going in my pre-teens, I would smile in happiness because it made me different.
Afterwards when I was in my teens, I remember that I didn't read as much but not because I cared what people thought but because I like taking breaks from reading. When I picked it up again I still confidently walked around with my books. Reading gives knowledge and people who think reading is "gay" are just ignorant and don't know the real pleasure of reading.
Now I am an adult and I can tell you, people are a little different about reading. Sure, there are still "stupid boys" except now they are "grown idiotic men" who will tease me sometimes about my reading, but I know MANY people now who are just so NICE about what I read. Even if they don't read, like many of my friends don't, they accompany me and stay for hours at a bookstore just because reading is a such "a good thing."
Recently I met a guy who I've been dating and the moment I told him I read, he told me he couldn't possibly read for a long time. I was a bit crestfallen because I am always hoping I'll find the perfect man who will LOVE reading as much as me and we'll spend hours together reading. Instead of teasing me about it though, he told me how amazing he thought I was because I liked reading. And he even asked me to read to him sometime haha.
I guess as you get older, people learn to appreciate it more, so eventually I'm sure you'll happily say loud and proud that you really enjoy reading.
I never tell anyone about my blogging though. I like keeping that a secret ;)
And for now, ignore those stupid boys. They're stupid for a reason :)
We did that experiment a couple of weeks ago (:
I go to an all girls school, where its not so bad- my friends all know I'm not nerdy. They do tease me a bit for being in the top maths class, but its only fun.
IN my primary school it was uncool to read. The boys [especially] would make fun of you and call you a nerd, or gay.
In primary school- I wasn't so confident, but now I am. I do stand up for what I believe is right, but as its not such a big problem; I don't really have too.
Of course it doesn't make you a bad person!
If your not confident, or shy, you can't help it! Nobody can point a finger at you!
-RIa
P.S I love these posts you do!
P.P.S Sorry for all the extra punctuation...
Famtastic post, Sasha. Reading was never cool at my school either, but there were a fwe people who shared my love of books.
The people that think reading is nerdy are missing out and we should feel sorry for them. If there weren't such idiots, of course.
Thanks for all your comments guys! Loved hearing your views :D x
I was thought a nerd at school for lots of reasons, reading was one of them. I was bullied a bit while I was at school, but I just got sick of it all, and became more determined to be my own person. How does that relate to this? I didn't hide the fact that I read. I read in front of people before classes started, before form period on the stairs (there was no-where to sit outside), and would spend some afternoons in the library. I didn't particularly voice any defence for reading, my thoughts were made clear by my actions, if that makes sense? I remember a girl coming by me When I was sitting on the stairs reading, and she said "Joanne, you're so boring, you should be more like me." This coming from a girl who spent her time after school flashing guys. Yet I'm the one something is wrong with. It's just ridiculous.
In my opinion, I don't think you need to stand up to these people, or defend your reading. They're the ignorant ones, and aren't really worth wasting your breath over. They can think what they like, you know they're wrong, and that's all that matters :)
I have this conversation all the time at my school! Thanks for your post, it made me feel better abotu being a bookworm :)
Great blog post. I totally understand what you mean! I had my first day at high school today (it was awesome!!! I don't know what I was so nervous about.) and someone asked me what I liked to do when I was bored. "Read!" I said. "I love reading." He looked at me strangely and said "Uhh doesn't that make you MORE bored? Books are rubbish..." He backed away slowly.
What's wrong with liking reading?? I don't get it! It makes me really angry when people talk about books/reading like that...I know, I know, I'm sad LOL!
I've loved books since I was 2 years old. I'm not gonna stop just 'cos someone tells me it's 'Gay' or 'Not cool' - the people who say that are just jealous that we can actually ENJOY books.
http://themilelongbookshelf.blogspot.com
It sounds to me that your school needs a whole school initiative to create a reading culture. This is in no way your fault for feeling like you have to keep your pleasure for reading a secret. It is your school's for not fostering a love of reading in the community. Shame on them. Really in my professional capacity, I am quite frankly appalled. Keep up your reading and maybe whisper in your school librarians ear that it is time that the culture at the school changed.
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