I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies, this is me.

Recently I saw The Greatest Showman and it tugged at my heart strings as a Special Education major. One of the main themes of this musical is inclusion. P. T. Barnum takes the "outsiders" and gives them a place to be themselves. As they grow together they become family and protect one another. However, Barnum breaks their trust when he enlists the help of Jenny Lind to make more money and leaves them in the hands of his partner. After her first show, the rest of the acts try to attend a party which would put them in full view of the public but are turned away by Barnum. This act leads to the show's biggest number, This is Me.

This song is considered a fight song for underdogs. They will not let what others have to say break them down. They want everyone to know that they are strong and that words will not hurt them. Since they found each other, they know that they're not alone and that nothing can stop them. Being different shouldn't determine if you will be ostracized. They all have talents that no one can seem to appreciate because they are too focused on outer appearances.

Being different is okay. Being weird is okay. God made you the way you are for a reason and you should always embrace your weirdness. Your weirdness makes you unique and being unique makes you special in a way that no one else will ever understand. Watching this movie made me realize that we are so quick to judge others based on outer appearances rather than getting to know them and their personality. Somehow, some way, I hope this movie and this article can help us realize that judging can cause others pain. We need to be more thoughtful and respectful.

I am different. I am weird. I sing in the shower, I dance around my room to Taylor Swift, and sometimes I make weird noises when I get excited. I have days where I wear dress clothes with bright red lipstick and heels. In college, wearing red lipstick and heels is uncommon for students but I do it anyway. I stick out in the crowd and I am proud of it. I am proud of my differences. I am fighting a battle with myself that many are unaware of, and that makes me different. My differences make me the woman I am today.

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down, I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out. I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I'm meant to be, this is me.

Embrace your weirdness. Embrace your differences. Be a force to be reckoned with. You are going to do amazing things. You are loved.