A World of Difference(s)

"Always remember you're unique... just like everyone else."

Alison Boulter

 

Right you are, Ms. Boulter! Unfortunately, many people misinterpret this saying. The tone of the quote implies that because everyone is different, everyone is the same. Since each one of us is unique, and everyone else is also unique, it no longer seems like such an exclusive club to be part of. Many automatically think that the quote disregards them as an individual and places emphasis on the similarities of the human race, while in reality, it does the opposite and draws on the differences.
I believe there are two ways to interpret the quote. The first one being the more pessimistic way, and the way many people think of it - "because everyone is special, I'm no longer special." The second way, and the more accurate one in my view, goes something like this - "everyone is different, so I'm different from everyone."
Saying that all people are alike because they're all different is like saying all food items at a potluck lunch are the same because they're each unique. That doesn't make any sense, right? Chicken nuggets are unique, and so is Caesar salad, and gimbap, and samosas, and barbequed steak... Sure, they're all food (just like we are all human), and some of them may have similar ingredients (personality, traits, appearances), but on what planet can you say that they are the same?
I don't know which way Alison Boulter meant for us to interpret her saying, but I hope that she tried to instill the human virtue of understanding in us, to remember that everyone is unique; and because people accept our differences, we need to accept the differences of others.