What is Popular is not Always Right--A Story on the Pros of Tenacity

In my sixth grade science class, a poster on the wall in front of me read, “What is popular is not always right. What is right is not always popular.” For the better part of a year, I stared at this sign, pondering the message and the background image of a single fish swimming away from a large school of fish, as if to avoid following the crowd. I thought little of the quote, but the idea behind those words impacted me more than anything I learned about lunar patterns or wave cycles in class.

However, this hub is not about a sixth grade science class, schools of fish, or even an inspirational quote. It is about a boy who refused to wear a shirt.

In my younger days, I was a mild-mannered kid. I rarely talked out and spoke so softly that getting interrupted became the norm. I was not a trouble-maker, a loud-mouth, or even impolite; I followed the rules regularly. Yet my obedience did not mean I was a mindless conformist, and one day I exemplified my individuality.

On this particular day, I refused to give in to popular opinion. I refused to permit my superiors to command me. I refused to allow obedience to overpower what I knew to be right. I fought the power. I put my three-year old foot down.

This day was supposed to be a memorable one, but it turned out to be unforgettable. My grandmother decided that our extended family needed to have a professional family portrait taken. The photographer was hired, the location set, and the matching clothes purchased; all that was required were a few smiles and a flash for a precious memory. The men looked sharp in their jackets and ties, while the women dazzled in their Sunday dresses. The adults waited eagerly while we, the children, got dressed in our matching attire. Everything was running as smoothly as possible—until I examined the shirt I was to wear.

Folded crisply, the pristine shirt looked fantastic in the packaging, but when I inspected it more closely, I was less than impressed. The shirt was clean and fitted, but had one fatal flaw. On the back of the shirt, a single button sat, glaring at me. Buttons are not infamous for glaring, or even for being hostile, but they always glared at me in those days. Maybe it was the fact that they seemed restraining or were simply uncomfortable, but for whatever reason, I hated buttons. Despised them. Could not stand them. And most importantly, refused to wear them. I complained to my mom about my unacceptable shirt, but she would have none of it. I refused and resisted, complained and protested. I would not wear it. My cousins and siblings sat patiently, looking angelic and proper in their matching outfits, while my parents attempted to coerce me into the shirt. They started off with gentle persuasion, but, after my unbridled refusal, their methods turned into panicked frustration and eventually physical force. I would not budge. After more than an hour of struggle, my parents began to accept the fact that I was not caving, which is how we ended up with a family portrait of a smiling, handsome family—including one three-year old boy without a shirt.

Bruises on my arms the next day demonstrated the battle I fought against the shirt and my parents. It may have been illogical and it may have been foolish, but I rejected conformity.

During our lives, we are approached with situations that attempt to sway us to make one decision or the other. Most of us will make the decision based on what is popular. I might fall in that category. But the fact that my three-year old self was able to follow his own agenda tells me that it doesn't take a profit to do what is "right," it just takes someone with some courage. Someone with tenacity. Don't buy in to what is popular, put it aside, for it is what is right that truly matters.

“What is popular is not always right. What is right is not always popular.” Be the lone fish that swam away from the school. Ignore the crowd. Do what you know to be right.