Dignity by Natalie

Dignity by Natalie - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

When I was a child, I always connected most with Hermione Granger from J.K. Rowling’s famous Harry Potter Series. Growing up, I took it for granted that I was the living version of Hermione. I was the top of my class; I never cared about my appearance or about the boys; I just studied all the time, even in the summers when there was no homework to do. Now that I’m older, however, I realize that all those years I never really was Hermione—I was, and am to this day, Luna Lovegood.

Why juxtapose these two characters? And how could I make such a dramatic change to whom I feel most connected to? They are completely different characters after all. The way I see it, though, is that Hermione and Luna are not so far apart as one might initially think. Sure, they dress differently, have a different outlook on the world, and phrase their sentences in completely opposite ways; but I would argue that they both possess an inner self-confidence, are independent and intelligent females, and seek to do what is best for those surrounding them. All of these traits are what I strive to live by every day.

Luna in particular has made a profound influence on my life. She is the dorky, odd, but witty character that nobody seems to take seriously or pay much attention to, yet she never ceases to be herself. No matter what expressions people make at her, no matter if her belongings are stolen, and no matter what people are saying behind her back (the students call her “Loony” for goodness sake), Luna always takes everything that life throws her way with a grain of salt. She lives her life simply by being her individualistic self and doesn’t condemn the people around her who bully her.

Every day I am inspired to live my life with this kind of attitude, to carry out my life as me and in forgiveness of those who may have caused me harm. When I was younger, I went through a period when I was the social outcast—I was that girl who was obsessed with Harry Potter, books, faith, piano, and golfing (“Golfing! Who plays golf?”). I didn’t like the popular R&B music (preferring Orchestral music myself) and I was more of a “tomboy” than a “girly-girl.” I did have friends, but they would try to change me…and I did change. I conformed to the “social norms” during middle school, something Luna never did. Luna is the person who taught me that I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not, that there is something unique and special in everyone—even me. Every human being has dignity that cannot be taken away; this dignity cannot be shattered even if we deviate from what society might deem as the “cultural norm.” Luna has the unique ability to see right through every day social acting: she knows that while people may be smiling on the outside, they may be crying—screaming even—on the inside, just waiting to be known for who they really are.

This gift of perception not only stems from her own experiences, but also from the compassion she shows for other people. A day has not gone by when I haven’t thought of Luna’s deep kindness, and used that kindness to reach out to the people around me. She is an inspiration to me because her personality shines through in each encounter she has with others. Her uniqueness, her supposed “oddness” as deemed by the wizard culture, brings out the best of her character. She influences me to show the best side of me—as myself, not someone I am pretending to be—with the people I encounter on a daily basis, for only when we love ourselves can we truly pour out our hearts in compassion to other people.