Adrianna Owens: Instincts

Have you ever gotten one of those what-the-heck-is-that-chick-wearing stares? Well, if you haven't then I'm here to tell you, it's not so fun. In fact, anyone staring at you is never really fun.

But, walking around campus, I received a couple of those stares, and yes, even a few laughs. I turned hesitantly, as I heard the various whispers and chuckles. As I looked around with a nervous expression, my friend noticed and said, "take off that hat and maybe people wouldn't say anything."

Even though I heard the humor in her voice, it still hurt. But, it was true. Because, I was sporting a unicorn hat. Yes, a knit unicorn hat, with a fluff of rainbow hair and everything.

But I couldn’t get past the fact that I was being targeted. And my mind couldn't keep the reoccurring questions away. They just kept coming. All I could think was... why?

Why were people so caught up in what I had on my head?
Why did it matter to them?
Why?

I left my questions rhetorical, because I was unsure of the answers. Now, I have come to a conclusion.

They're human. It's just instinct. People like to stare.

They like to see different things, things that they don't see everyday. They might not like these unordinary items, nor consider making them a part of their life. But, there will be more "unicorn hats" in their future. And I will be in possession of uniqueness all of my life. With that being said, this isn’t the last time I will be laughed at or whispered about.

It's nothing I should have been ashamed of, or mad at. It was a time for me to show the real me. The me that isn't afraid of what people think. The me that is willing to put on the unicorn, and walk around, knowing that people will act on their instincts. The me that doesn't care.