Hello again. This week I was considering what it means to be different. Is it a good thing or a bad thing to stand out in a crowd? Myself, I am not much on group conformity. I tend to stand out in a crowd, and I am okay with that. I know some people like to blend in and not be noticed. And that may be fine also.

The only problem I see with blending in, is that people can easily fall into a “herd mentality” or “lemming personality.” So what can a person do to prevent that from happening? Can a person “blend in” and still be separate from the crowd? What do you think? Are you one that blends in or stand out?

Like I said, I tend to stand out. I am one of those personality types that doesn’t believe in group conformity. I tend to enjoy “rocking the boat” when necessary. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t go looking for situations like that, but when they do occur, I am not afraid to step up and say something.

For example Black Lives Matter. Yes they do, but not to the exclusion of everyone else. API lives matter too. Latino rights are not only neglected in this country, but forcibly denied by the government. Their lives matter too. I don’t know how many of you watch Formula One Racing, but they are putting out an international message that I strongly approve of – “We Race As One.” This is very important for everyone to consider. As a group, they are standing up for what is right. As individuals, they are going out to public forums teaching and promoting tolerance. And the best part in my opinion is, they are going around the world with this message. Is this group conformity? Have they fallen into a herd mentality also? I don’t think it is. What do you have to say about this? Thank you.

Matthew F. Mehlhaff

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