Being yourself in a world that often wants you to be something else is a real challenge. But it’s a fight worth having. Why? Because not being yourself leads to a life that’s inauthentic. And living an inauthentic life is like walking uphill all the time—you spend so much energy trying to be something you’re not, leaving you exhausted and unfulfilled.
It’s true that practical realities often get in the way. We have bills to pay, social expectations to meet, and limited time and resources. It’s tempting to take the easier path of conforming, but that doesn’t guarantee happiness or success. Often, it leads to the opposite.
Another point to consider is doubt. What if you’re wrong about who you think you are or want to be? Doubt is a part of life. But if you don’t take the risk of being yourself, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. And in the end, it’s better to fail being true to yourself than to succeed being someone else.
So, is conformity good or bad? The answer depends on context. Sometimes, conforming can be beneficial, like following laws or societal norms that have value. But conforming simply for the sake of fitting in robs you of your uniqueness. In this sense, it’s a vice.
Being yourself is not just an act of individuality, but also one of bravery. It’s acknowledging that you have the right to your own life, to pursue your own path, even if it’s not the one others would choose for you. This is the kind of nonconformity that enriches not only your life but also the lives of those around you.
In the early 20th century, amidst the burgeoning Harlem Renaissance, a young African American writer named Zora Neale Hurston faced a critical decision that tested her allegiance to her authentic self. Harlem was alive with the vibrancy of black culture, art, and intellectualism. The established figures of the period, like W.E.B. Du Bois, saw this cultural flowering as an opportunity to further the civil rights cause, advocating for art that served political ends.
Hurston, a gifted anthropologist and writer, found herself at odds with this prevailing doctrine. Her work often celebrated black culture in its purest form—untamed by the desire to placate white audiences or serve immediate political objectives. She reveled in the richness of African American dialects, folklore, and spirituality. In doing so, she faced scathing criticism from her peers who viewed her storytelling as perpetuating stereotypes, thereby undermining the civil rights struggle.
The pressure to conform was immense. Harlem’s literati were influential, their endorsements crucial. Yet, Hurston understood that her path—the path to authenticate the lives and stories of everyday black folk—was her true calling, even if it meant estrangement from the intellectual elite.
So, she made her choice. She remained steadfastly herself, writing seminal works like “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” which didn’t just diverge from the political narrative but enriched the American literary landscape with its authentic dialogue and compelling characters. Hurston’s commitment to her craft and community was so unswerving that she was willing to jeopardize her standing among her contemporaries.
The immediate reaction was polarizing. Some viewed her work as counterproductive to the goals of civil rights, while others saw the undeniable artistry and importance in her narratives. Over time, though, Hurston’s influence became undeniable. Future generations of writers cited her as an inspiration, and her works are now considered masterpieces, lauded for their depth, authenticity, and cultural significance.
Hurston’s decision to be true to herself and her understanding of her culture had a lasting impact far beyond what any politically expedient writing could have achieved. She showed that authenticity has a power all its own—one that can illuminate truths that are universal, transcending time and shifting political landscapes. Through her refusal to conform, Zora Neale Hurston demonstrated that being yourself is not just an act of personal integrity but can also be a profound contribution to society.