A big price to pay for being different

I consider myself to be an open minded person. My taste in music varies and my style changes as often as the wind. Most importantly I am very accepting towards people I meet no matter their background, gender or culture. As the saying goes 'never judge a book by its cover', the same applies to people! I think open mindedness which includes accepting change and difference is an appealing quality for a human being to have. I would like to think in this day and age that everyone was as open minded as me although this isn't the case.

Some people just can't handle it! and I would describe these people as small minded and weak. These are people who will go to any lengths to express their disgust toward anyone who appears different or has different views to themselves. The truth is, they don't know what to expect, they judge the cover before reading the book and assume that they won't like it.

Now having been part of the alternative scene for the past few years, I have met many interesting people who have established their own individual styles in order to break away from the "norm" as some people may put it. These people whether they be goths, rockers, emo's etc are probably the most intelligent and stimulating people I know. On the inside they are no different to anyone else, they just choose not to follow the same old trends. The world would be an incredibly boring place if everyone in it were the same.

Being the sort of person I am, I was sickened and saddened by a story that I had read a couple of years ago about a girl called Sophie who was brutally attacked along with her boyfriend by a group of teenagers they had met in a park in Lancashire. It is believed that the pair were targeted because of the unique and individual way in which they were dressed. While her boyfriend pulled through and survived the attack, Sophie sadly died on August 24th 2007. Words can't express how angry this makes me and many others who have heard this tragic story. People shouldn't have to live in fear because of how they dress... its insane!

Sophie's family and friends have worked hard to raise awareness since her death and strive towards a less violent society by starting a campaign in her memory. The S.O.P.H.I.E campaign has a powerful message attached to it:

Stamp

Out

Prejudice

Hatred &

Intolerance

Everywhere

and is growing in popularity through the fun organised events that they put on. To find out more information about the campaign or to donate to the SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION please check out the following sites:

www.sophielancasterfoundation.com

www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie