Prior to transferring to an all-girls school, I was nervous about speaking up and contributing my ideas to a group discussion. Attending a school that centered classes around student led conversations was initially terrifying. In middle and elementary school, I had a lack of confidence in myself that was evident in group discussions. Now I watched my peers engage in conversation with their own viewpoints and no fear of others opinions. Going from an environment where I feared that boys would mock my ideas to one where people valued my perspective was liberating. My classmates were open to my outlook …show more content…
My sister and I grew up greeting the policemen we saw on the street and wearing NYPD clothes. Many of my classmates often discuss police brutality in their conversations because it is very prevalent in the media. One of the most confusing memories I have is from a presentation my friend gave in 7th grade. Her topic for her presentation was the passing of Eric Garner. My family had discussed it the previous night and my father had told me about how Garner had resisted arrest as well as having a pre-existing heart condition. My friend went up to the front of the class and gave a presentation about how the police had killed Garner without justification. I sat in the classroom confused about how this was the same incident that I had discussed with my family the night prior. If my classmates and friends agreed that the police are violent and irrational does that mean it's true, but coming home and hearing about such a controversial issue from both a retired police officer and my father, contradicted everything I had heard from my peers. Having a parent who had a unique perspective was incredibly enlightening and has taught me that it is important to understand all standpoints. Additionally, it has taught me that there is no right or wrong side of an argument just different