Yellow Jacket Times - Jefferson County Public Schools

Stupidity at its Finest
Jamila Johnson
Everybody has something that really grinds their gears, and what really gets me is stupidity. The
dictionary definition of stupidity is, “the quality or condition of being stupid,” but what does stupid mean? To me,
it means doing something you know you shouldn’t, but you do it anyway for whatever reason. I put stupidity in
three categories. People that do everything others do. People who don’t learn from their past, and people who
think being stupid is ok. I’m sure after understanding each category, your gears will explode.
If there’s one thing I hate more than crust on my bread, it’s a person that follows the crowd. Now I know
we’re teens and we are expected to do this, but come on people. Why can’t we just be ourselves? Following
the crowd often leads to others getting hurt. If someone doesn’t have the newest shoes or wear the best
clothes, so what? It shouldn’t matter. All that should matter is if they are a good person. Now I’m not going to
say that beauty is on the inside and all of that, because even though it’s true, 99.9% of people don’t care about
that, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok. Why can’t you be the bigger person for once and do the right thing? I even
know people who have changed everything about themselves to fit into a certain group. Why do we do this? If
you don’t like something, then you don’t like it. You shouldn’t have to force yourself to like someone else just to
feel accepted. I’m short, and there are people out there who don’t like short people, but I’m not going to go out
and get some extra shin installments. This might sound a little more outrageous than what you’re doing, but it’s
really the same thing. If you don’t do this, you’re a “lame;” If you dislike someone, you’re a “hater.” Why is it so
wrong to be an individual?
Canadian author, L.M Montgomery said, “Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no
mistakes in it yet?” Well actually it is, but not if you make the same mistakes you did yesterday. We are
supposed to make mistakes; we have to, but we do them so we won’t have to make them again. You’re
supposed to learn from your mistakes. If you do the same thing over and over and you expect a new outcome
each time, I’m almost sorry to say that you’re insane. Every day, I hear people complaining about their grades
and blaming the teachers. How is it the teacher’s fault that all you do is sleep or talk? If you do this every day,
why are you surprised you got a U? You deserved it; just be honest with yourself. I know some mistakes may
take a while to learn from, but this is crystal clear. If doing nothing in class is getting you nowhere, then guess
what will? I don’t think I have to say it.
Next up on this train of stupidity are people who think being stupid is ok. This deals with doing nothing
in class again. I know I just discussed that, but this usually happens in pairs. Because your friend doesn’t do a
thing in class, you think it’s ok for you not to. What sense does that make? Telling someone they’re crazy
because they actually do their work, rather than play around, doesn’t seem right. Why is it so wrong to be a
good student and get good grades? Why can’t it be cool to want to be somebody later in life? Why do the
words, “college” or “career,” seem to be foreign to so many? It’s really sad that people think it’s ok to fail. Oh,
and here’s a little tip guys. Girls do not like stupid boys. Now, I’m not saying there aren’t any stupid girls out
there, because there are, but I think we can all agree that we see it more with boys: laughing when they fail a
test, or if they get a U on a test. Yeah, it may be funny to you, but to us, it’s repulsive. Being stupid and not
caring about yourself isn’t attractive. Remember, just because you make her laugh, doesn’t necessarily mean
she’s laughing with you.
“Stupidity isn’t punishable by death. If it was, there would be a heck of a population drop.” Fantasy
writer, Laurell K. Hamilton said this, and although I may not have read any of her books, she couldn’t be any
more right. Why this world is filled with such stupid people beats me. The more important question should be,
“Why are most of them in a building built for education?” Stupidity isn’t taught, and to be honest, I don’t even
think it’s learned. You don’t have learn how to come to class and do work. You do it or you don’t; that’s it; it’s
that simple. You’re not performing brain surgery. You’re a student; all you have to do is act like it.