The story " Anthem" by Ayn Rand is about equality and freedom. In the story, the main character learns to be independent and be his own person. There are many times in my life when I was forced to be independent and self-reliant. .
Not that long ago, a few of my friends began to smoke cigarettes. They weren't in my closest group of friends, but I was still very friendly with them. More and more people started to join too, thinking it was cool. They approached me several times and asked me to join. Each time I turned them away.
I knew the dangers of smoking. This happened to be right in the middle of basketball season, and I knew it would affect my already not so sharp game. More and more people started to hang out with them and smoke, so I had to separate myself from all of them for a time. I was still friendly with them, but I didn't hang out with them outside of school, and if I did, it was in a controlled environment. .
It became a problem when my core group of friends started hanging out with them a lot more. They didn't smoke, but I guess they felt cool hanging out with people who did. Now my best friends were asking me to spend time with this rougher crowd and to stop being such a baby. I held my head high and still did not hang out with them. .
Shortly after my close friends started to hang out with this crowd, they got into trouble with the law. Luckily, my close friends weren't with them and nothing happened to them. My friends instantly saw how I was right and how smoking was nothing but trouble. I welcomed them back as we began to hang out again, but was also glad that I wasn't alone anymore. Independence may make people call you courageous and proud and you are, but it sure is lonely standing up for what you believe in all by yourself.
By experiencing this, I know the Hardships that Equality faced, being the only person left standing for what they believe in. It was very tough, but now I know you have to stand up for what you believe in, even if you"re standing alone.
