A Nerd is Not Just a "Steve Urkle"

When people hear the word "nerd," the general concept that comes to mind is that one kid they know in school with glasses, straight A's, and the complete collection of Star Wars action figures. To those who have been pegged as nerds, it has come to have a whole new meaning. To some, it keeps it's negative connotation; but to those who have chosen to embrace this title, it can become the best decision of their lives.
While most view being a nerd as a social taboo, those who chose to live up to it find a whole plethora of doors opened to them. A nerd is someone who goes against social norms. Because of their social position, they are entitled to confront life with an open mind and a thirst for knowledge and not be ashamed of it. The nerd is a person who does not have to hide their adoration for Shakespeare or for their favorite book series or movie. The nerd is a person who can truly embrace everything about life and do it without feeling self-conscious. Young adult author and self-proclaimed nerd, John Green, put it best, "Nerds like us are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff."
In reality, nerds have it best. While "jocks" or "preps" or any other "popular" stereotype are put under pressure to look and act a certain way for fear of being disliked, nerds have no regulations. Nerds may get picked on or cast in a poor light, but they do this defending things that they are passionate about. They do not have to hide their passion for life or learning. They do not have to dislike school because it's "cool" to. They do not have to be closet Lord of the Rings fans. They do not have to dress in the newest trends. They do not have to feel the pressure to conform that is so prevalent in today's culture.
A perfect example of how the word "nerd" can be a positive thing is the online community of Nerdfighters. No, it is not a community of people who fight nerds, it is a community of those who are aware that they are nerds and fully and completely embrace it. Within this community are people from nearly every country, every social standing and every age. Originally founded by brothers John, an author, and Hank Green, an environmentalist, in 2007, the community has since gained millions of members, all nerds. This community is full of people who are not afraid to be themselves. People who are not afraid to embarrass themselves for the sake of proving a point that others do not seem to get. People who are not afraid of knowing all there is to know about their world and life in general.
Ultimately, a nerd is not a bad thing to be. It is simply a person who knows how to get all the things out of life that they are able to. It is a person who knows that learning is an excellent way to spend time. It is a person who does not want to conform to the standards that society has set. Once again, John Green has said it best, "Why is being a nerd bad? Saying 'I notice you're a nerd,' is like saying 'Hey, I notice that you'd rather be intelligent than be stupid; that you'd rather be thoughtful than be vapid; that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest record of Lindsay Lohan.' Why is that?" It takes a lot for a person to embrace who they truly are, and if that means that the person is a nerd, then the wonderment at why they should not be true to themselves is a bigger conundrum than the wonderment of why they will not conform.

-Rachel (: