Having grown up in a household where I was and still am always allowed to voice my opinion – good and bad, the toughest thing for me is to witness something wrong, unjust happening around me and not speak my mind. When I was a little girl, my mom used to explain to me that things in life aren’t always black and white. She had tried to convey to me that there may be lots of situations when despite disagreeing with the decisions taken by others you may have to eat your words and keep quiet.

Though I refused to understand the logic, at seven, at 25 I kind of comprehend why she said what she said. I never got along with the queen bees in school, and got into trouble several times for confronting bullies and “mean girls”. At points I found myself alone or with very few friends. I was almost convinced that something is wrong with me as I have trouble getting along with most people. But then something wonderful happened. I started coming across people who were really nice to me and we formed a clique of our own.

Today, I really feel blessed to be part of a family where I was treated like an equal ever since I was a child. Drifting slightly away from the original topic of conversation; I feel extremely angry when adults talk down to children. Is it because they can? Or is it because they want to abuse their power to the fullest before the tables turn? Phrases like “you are too young to understand”, “I said no once, which means a final NO, so stop asking”, and the worst one “Children should not interfere when adults are talking”. Why? Are they afraid he/she may say something you don’t want to hear? Or tell it like it is – the truth, which adults can slyly manipulate.

I dedicate this article to my fabulous mother, who always encouraged me to speak the truth. Though she warned me several times that speaking my mind may not always be the best solution, she never stopped me from pointing out right from wrong.