By Kyra Oakland

Eyes are always on you, whether you want them to be or not. Every move is scrutinized. Every word echoes in judgment. And every piece of strangled advice reflects their insecure perceptions of who you ought to be. Backhanded compliments lurk within invasive words. Opinions scatter through the streets, surpassing any parade. Deadly glances become a daily battle, and slowly, you find yourself conforming to their expectations, losing your sense of self.

As societal norms embrace outdated prejudices, acts of sexism, homophobia, and pedophilia persist and are seemingly encouraged. Forward thinking becomes the enemy. Gossip, once a privilege of the powerful, now spreads like wildfire through Facebook groups.

Some individuals overshare their trivial views, while others evade accountability for their actions. The culture thrives on shame, endless expectations, and a misguided notion of “manning up.” Acceptance is conditional; love is withheld when you spark a joint, reveal your true sexual orientation, or bring home a significant other with skin darker than the town has ever seen.

Your story is laid bare for all to see—from embarrassing moments to carefully curated highlights online. They assess it all, yet they have never walked a day in your shoes. The burden on your shoulders is unknown to them, the extra weight you carry while attempting to transform into someone deemed acceptable by their narrow standards.

In the end, if you let them, the small minds of this small town shape the narrative until you become what they want to see, hear, and read about—a distorted version of yourself, molded by the constraints of their judgmental gaze.

Simply yours, Ky