Growing up into the woman I've become today, a big thing that alienated me from my peers was my political stance. As I spent my childhood and adolescence in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, nearly everyone around me was conservative.
As the "token" liberal, I often encountered some strange reactions and situations. While I sometimes considered remaining coy about my beliefs, I never once considered lying about them.
And while it may have made things difficult for me at the time, I'm thankful for how these experiences have changed me.
1. People are surprised when they find out your political leanings.
Yes, I'm a middle-class Southern white girl. Yes, my family votes Democrat.
2. "What's the... liberal opinion on [blank]?"
I don't know, Susan. What's the conservative view on that? Please don't call me out if I haven't chosen to speak on the topic.
3. You have to bite your tongue when a teacher influences a lesson with their political opinion.
You know they're not allowed to, but chances are everyone else in the class agrees with them, so no one will side with you.
4. It's usually everyone against you in debates.
Just saying: when three different people get into an argument with you, and they're all on the same side, it stops being a debate and starts being a liberal-bashing session.
For future reference, such experiences are not beneficial to anyone involved and often cultivate in everyone leaning even farther to the left or right.
5. When you find someone who agrees with you, it's an instant friendship.
6. You roll your eyes at every bumper sticker.
If I had a penny for every time I saw a "Make America Great Again" sticker while driving, I would probably have enough money to rival Trump.
7. You learn to have non-political conversations.
8. You're friends with people all over the political spectrum.
9. You've learned to be open-minded.
As I mentioned before, heated arguments never change anything, nor do they have a positive impact in the slightest.
By adopting an open mind, I understand certain sides of issues that I wouldn't have if I closed up and screamed at the person I was talking to, like so many have done to me.
10. You got mad at the results of the 2016 Presidential Election.
But everyone from your high school was happy, so you suffered in silence.
11. You're more secure in your identity because of the various views you've been exposed to.
