Unpopular Opinion: Rebellion is not bad. It is just an act of or for change.
Hear me out on this one.
The dictionary describes the noun “rebel” as someone who refuses allegiance to, resists, or rises in arms against a form of authority, control, or tradition. Whilst order and regulations are not a poxy act, society has forced predetermined categories upon us that are considered norms and values of life. These categories innately cause us to develop a line of thought and either limit our creativity or hinder our sense of individuality.
So if we are aware of this, why is it that we still refuse to disengage in systematic practices that form our identity or even try to employ different styles of ‘getting the job done’?
Well, the simplest four-letter answer is FEAR.
As human beings, we fear being rejected, mocked, insulted, and criticized by our peers, family, and colleagues. We don’t want to upset or challenge the conventional thought or cycle of society. However, Steve Borner posited that “successful change can be traced back to one attitude and that is a rebellious attitude.”
Seeds of BAD-ness
Rebellion is good seeds added to good and solid principles.
I remember doing research and coming across what would have seemed to be a biblical 1-hour video. Two men used doctrine and circumstances to determine that the root of rebellion is youths transitioning to university, growing up in an unstable family, absentee parents, and/or falling out of line with the guidance their parents have taught them.
Though some of these overgeneralized claims are true, they vary based on each situation and individual.
Not every person is trying to rebel for global impact like civil rights. Some are rebelling for personal discovery: to see what they like, dislike, enjoy, and are passionate about without the box of society.
It is remarkable to see parenting evolving to the point where parents allow their children to discover more and not just provide them with the answers to every obstacle they face.
One such noteworthy parent is my friend, Tashuana. Recently, her son’s school hosted Career Day and tradition would have it that the kids dress up in the conventional career paths taught to them. All the children were clad as doctors, nurses, teachers, soldiers, and policemen, aside from Tyler – who was a Video Director. The choice of this non-traditional career path is a sign of creativity and passion.
Oftentimes we do life too safe and neglect trying to be the best versions of ourselves each day, not by societal standards, but by our own. We discard the independent thought of having a narrative that does not necessarily align with such of the masses.
A dear friend of mine would say that “why can’t it be that something is wrong with everyone else and you’re just unique?”
I pose that same question to you today with the encouragement that you are not berserk in your thoughts and actions, but a sui generis human being.
It's giving REBEL…
Difference is pejoratively seen as irregular and abnormal. Rebels are described as “outcasts”, “troublemakers” and “people who break rules”.
Nevertheless, it is our social responsibility to acknowledge that not completing identity categories does not make you second-rate to another but musters a solid foundation for an unstoppable changemaker.
Rebels are creatives, risk-takers, inventors, and world-class leaders that believed in the vision first and were able to push forward amidst the repercussion from society.
It is being a Rosa Parks in product pitch or a Malcolm X in a board meeting. Flex those muscles of persistence, confidence, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Shifting one’s perspective of rebels will open the door to endless benefits of being the “drama”. Not just accepting the answers generically provided but questioning these answers and pivoting seamlessly in difficulties like Captain Sully Sullenberger.
“Screw It!”
Does it have to be the absence of something that causes us to rebel, or could it be the intrinsic presence of discovering the possibilities of life?
I remember early high school Math classes learning about possibilities and ratio versus final year Economics classes learning about opportunity cost. Both heavily spoke about weighing one’s options before deciding. Whether it be based on what you will lose or gain, in the end, you would have to make a choice.
Life is all about choices. It is for you to say, “screw it”, make an intentional choice, and don’t look back.
Go against conventional wisdom, if you must, and become the master of your world. Find the change you want to make in yourself and follow that path to the very end.
Embrace the rebel in you and challenge the status quo.
Anneque Bennett is a vying, industrious, persistent and gallant young virtuous woman of God from Jamaica, West Indies. Her dexterity births creativity cocooned by flexibility. She possesses an eye for complexity and a magnitude of focus to complete tasks and assist others in every possible way. She loves to communicate and interact with youths on different levels and share in their experiences and serves as a mentor and youth empowerment leader. She engages heavily in promoting and marketing different products: where she also serves as a host/emcee and at times, public speaker. She finds outdoor very amusing and love to bask in nature as she puts pen to paper. She enjoys road trips, hiking and documenting each moment through fun pictures and videos and her best friend – a purple journal. #Adventure