Stop Calling Her a Drama Queen, Because Words Hurt

We have all seen the campaigns about not calling little girls bossy, because we wouldn't say the same to a little boy. And more often than not, those "bossy" little girls are showing characteristics of being a strong leader. However, another word, often tossed around as a term of endearment, is "dramatic."

More times than I would like to admit, I heard, "don't be so dramatic," or "she is SOO dramatic." Often times coming from an adult with a half smirk as if to say, "calm down, you don't know what you are talking about." I wish that I could say such phrases were left in my youth, but I can't.

To this day, I am still stricken with the prognosis of a "drama queen'' and my passion is often mistaken for being dramatic. But here's the problem...

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“Every time we call a little girl dramatic, her voice gets a nonverbal sign to shush, and her confidence a kick to the gut, because a way that “she is” and most likely won’t outgrow is something she should suppress. As she grows and becomes a woman she will wrestle with whether to stand up for what she believes in, because of her fear of being called a drama queen.”

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So Dear Fellow Drama Queen,

I am sorry you are made to feel like you voice is one that shouldn't be heard, and that your thoughts don't matter. I apologize on behalf of those who are less passionate for speaking words that made you question your intelligence. I am sorry that when they call you dramatic, you feel like you are the punch line of demeaning joke.

I wish I could make them understand this life is colorful, wonderful, complicated, and sometimes dramatic, but never in a way in need of their negative connotations.

Sister, your voice matters; even if its loud and proud. Your passion is needed in a world content with just getting by, and what you deem as a negative trait might be just what you need to inspire someone else.

oxox,

Kendall Mariah