A non-conformist can easily be defined as an individual or group carrying out the “abnormal.” Non-conformists often stand out in the crowd and make themselves known. Although people may have their own definitions, the basic concept deals with change. An individual or group who practices non-conformity by changing their lifestyles for the better, not only satisfy themselves, but prove to others qualities in everyday life that the “normal” people aren’t able to take part in.
Non-conformity,
being a broad topic, can fit in the controversial areas of homosexuality,
atheism, cults, etc. Of course, there
are non-conformist issues that are less radical. This can include people’s style in dress,
hairstyle, or basically living outside the “mainstream.” In fact, all sorts of people favor change to
some extent, but why? Some people may
have experienced a conflict, trauma, or an epiphany. Others may have come to an important
realization in their life and decide to choose a new way to live their
life. For example, a person may choose
to start a new type of Christianity because he/she disagrees with one
significant belief. Or a person may want
to change a law, which is favored by the majority, because of a dilemma he/she
had faced. One less radical example may
be present in the way a person styles his/her hair. The style is not “normal” and he/she wants
individuality. In all instances, the
“abnormal” is present.
From
these acts of non-conformity, the initiators tend to choose change for their
benefit. I have lived an excellent
example of non-conformity. From about
the eighth grade to freshman year, I had low self-esteem. I wanted to fit in, and I tried joining the
so-called “bandwagon,” meaning I wanted to be considered cool by making myself
look like everyone else. However, I
realized that the “bandwagon” wasn’t worth my time and effort to be someone who
I was not. In fact, I flat out hated
it. All the guys looked the same, no one
benefited from this, and I wasn’t being myself.
Given a wake-up call, I understood what I should be doing. I should be myself, so I changed my views and
gained the necessary self-esteem. I wear
clothes because I like them. I understand
that it’s not what others think, but what I think. It was a radical change that I am thankful to
have followed through. From this
experience, I changed others, I’m a leader, and I’m not uptight about
everything. Thus, being a non-conformist
impacted me personally, and I have gained the overall advantage from the
experience.
Since
the beginning of time, people and groups in society have been practicing
non-conformist ways. Take, for example,
Martin Luther, a radical Christian. Luther disagreed with particular
characteristics of the Catholic faith, and he challenged the ways of the
Catholic Church. He initiated uprisings
and gained followers. Luther had gotten
his point across, started the Lutheran church, and shaped his life as well as
thousands of others. Another example,
containing a group of non-conformists rather than an individual, is the topic
of homosexuality. Homosexuality has been
around for centuries even though it is considered “abnormal.” It was rarely spoken of until recently because
of people's fears of threat and physical assault. Over time, these groups have formed a
coalition to spread its acceptance.
Currently our society is adapting to a world with publicized
homosexuality. Though it is yet a
conflicting issue, these non-conformists gain respect by a fair amount of
people. Homosexuals are able to speak
more freely without feeling nearly as threatened as before.
Obviously,
non-conformity is for the benefit of most people who favor change. My advice to the conformists desiring change
is to take the extra-step. We truly need
to be ourselves. Non-conformity is for
our benefit and self-satisfaction. If we
don’t live life from a non-conformist’s perspective, we will be missing
out. Without non-conformity, we would
live in a world full of zombies. I would
not enjoy copying others’ lifestyles; I want to live my own lifestyle. Life would undoubtedly be a bore. There is no way society could have ever
gotten far economically, socially, and technologically without non-conformist
views.