Modern day witch
After watching the movie "Not Like Everyone Else" I felt compelled to share and write about it. Based on a true story the movie takes place in the year 2000, after the horrific tragedy at Columbine. A 15-year-old girl, Brandi, was suspended multiple times and eventually expelled from school for appearing to be a threat to herself and other students. She doodled and wrote stories; she researched religions (including Wicca) to add more detail to her stories. Her hair was dyed a dark black which made her already pale face look even whiter. Other students went to the administration claiming they were afraid of her because she was a witch. They said she practiced witch craft and even put a spell on a teacher who ended up in the hospital. The administration took these accusations seriously, enough so that the girl was suspended. This further heightened the fear of the accusors.
Brandi and her family brought the situation to a civil union in Oklahoma where they lived. The case was taken to federal court with the charges that the administration of the school had taken away Brandi's civil rights. The case was treated as a mockery and dropped.
Brandi went back to school and found though the case was dropped the administration did appear to be taking a different stance in how they would treat people who didn't quite fit the mold of the perfect teen.
This of course has just been a brief summary of the movie, I highly recommend watching it yourself.
You may or may not be familiar with the comic Emily Strange. She sort of fits the "Brandi" profile. Dark hair, pale face and sometimes sinister attitude. I have her posters hanging up in my office. While it hasn't made my boss treat me different it has definitely caused other people to treat me different.
I am a web developer and I'm darn good at what I do. Not only do I produce quality web sites but I also do it quickly. I am creative. I am a designer. I do not fit a pre-made mold of any type. I wear streaks of color in my hair sometimes. Today I have a blue streak.
At my last job I was called a witch. It was meant to be a compliment. The claim was I have "a way about me". Whether or not they really believed I was enchanting people is beyond me, but I didn't pay it much mind. Charisma doesn't signify witchcraft; does it?
I believe in God. I believe in Heaven and Hell. I believe in magic. To me this isn't a contradiction and I am not a hypocrite.
I believe there are people who do have healing powers just by focusing their energy to push good vibes through you and the bad vibes out. I have a cousin who practices Reiki and she is a healer. A modern day witch? I suppose some would argue that, but why does it have to be construed in a negative light?
I can see spirits and I can sense danger. There are times when the sensation is so strong it gives me intense chills. Maybe I am a witch. Or maybe I'm spiritual. Maybe I am not afraid to embrace the gifts I have been blessed with and so I can increase them.
So if you practice Wicca and you are one with nature I applaud you for being true to yourself. As for the movie I watched, I truly wish the outcome had been different but I am also very happy Brandi fought for her rights and had a family who supported her.
Labels: horrible movie, perseverance, reiki, wicca, witch
By Christy On Thursday, June 5, 2008 At 11:01 AM
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