The dictionary defines reject as, "A person or thing dismissed as failing to meet standards or satisfy tastes."
Urban Dictionary defines reject as, "A person that is not accepted by anyone."
I define a reject as someone who feels as if they do not belong in a "social group" or meet up to societal standards.
Growing up I was never put into a clique, I didn't fit into any of the groups. I wasn't athletic, super smart, tech savvy, artsy, cool, flawless, a theatre kid, a stoner, a hipster, or any other cliche type. I was the "outcast" or reject. I played volleyball in high school, but was never put on the court, I got average grades, I know how to work PowerPoint, I can't draw, I think I'm beautiful, I helped behind the scenes of theatre productions, I don't do drugs (drugs are bad), I go with the flow, I'm just, me. Some people may read this and say, "pshh this girl isn't a reject," and that just feeds into why I am one. I get along with everyone I meet because I adapt to their personalities, but as soon as mine comes out, they back away. The closest friends we, the rejects, have are the ones who are also rejects, the ones who see us and take the time to accept us for who we are. The family members that read this and disagree with these statements are the ones that truly accept and love you for who you are. They don't see you as a reject, they see you as you.
I am writing this article to tell you that it's okay to be an outcast, it's okay to be different, it's okay to be a reject. I am writing this to the people who were bullied at school, bullied by one of their friends, cyberbullied, bullied by a family member, or anything along those lines that makes them feel like they're worthless or don't belong. I am writing to the weirdos, the kids who don't belong to any clique, the ones who are accepted by no one but accepts everyone. I am writing for those who don't have a voice and want to be heard.
We, as rejects, outcasts, weirdos, or any other name you can think of are tired of the standards we have to live up to, we are tired of being pushed around, we are tired of being quiet, but you know what we're not tired of? Being ourselves. We accept the way that we are.
Being a reject is being different. Being a reject is being weird. Being a reject is being an outsider. Being called a "reject" because you're being yourself.
A wise band called 5 Seconds of Summer once sang, "It's no secret that I'm just a reject," because why should it be?
