TBH- I think I’m a friendly person. I love people, I’m approachable and I live to hear a good story. And for the Hilldale Senior Class of 2014, Kalen Russell was voted
Most Spirited
Despite my better qualities and good intentions, I have my vices, my worries and my weaknesses. Sometimes I’m dazed by bad days.
Since I spend 70% of my life spreading goodwill, my bad days are usually excused. My impatience, curt responses and withdrawal are viewed a temporary and dismissed quickly. My friends and family are forgiving and attribute my low spots to situational grievances or my response to accidents, emotions or stress .
Matter of fact, I had a bad day Wednesday, and that evening I thought about how grateful I was to have people around me who accepted and supported me when I wasn’t feeling my best. I then thought:
Why don’t I treat others the same way?
It’s easy to assume someone is intentionally self-absorbed and inconsiderate, but they probably aren’t. In Sociology, I learned:
People are generally doing the best they can
My parents, cousins and close friends always consider me as the best version of myself. They correct me when I’m wrong, but they do so out of love, and in an attempt to help me better myself. Despite my mistake or attitude, I am loved consistently and as I am.
I can only speak from my experiences, and you can only interpret my words from your perspective. We can consider each other, but we haven’t been in each other’s shoes.
Many times we have no idea what our neighbors are going through
Two weeks ago, my biggest dread was finishing my homework. Then I read a Facebook post from one of my friends whose family is in Houston. She expressed her worry about the safety of her family, loved ones and home.
A lot of my worries are petty and should not influence my behavior like I allow them to. Many of my brothers and sisters face things I cannot fathom and still function from day to day.
Right now, I’m thinking of the countless students and Americans being impacted by DACA. I believe everyone in America should be free to create and live fulfilling lives, receive equal protections, privileges and opportunities.
No one should have to fear for their safety and the safety and futures of their families. Minorities in the United States are subjected to many prejudices, mental strains and inequalities as it is, the DACA order is a disturbing manifestation of society’s long held systemic inequality.
I can’t automatically assume or determine everyone who will be effected by DACA, who will be effected by this season’s hurricanes or natural disasters, who will be hurt by loss, who is overcome with worry or suffers from oppression, misfortune, or some other thief of peace .
I cannot walk in your shoes and I cannot fully understand what you’ve been through, but I can love you.
I can treat you, how I would like to be treated and I can work to create a more empathetic, engaged and inclusive society, starting with me.
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31
Kalen Nicole 
Leave a comment