The media today, ladies and gentleponies, is full of absolute garbage. It's mainly pure nonsense, void of any substance, control, or true meaning. As a result, it has affected each and every single living being that has some sort of connection to it.

What I mean by that, is that the media has basically ruined us. Everypony has become judgmental, subjective and basically shallow. The media has corrupted and ruined the once sacred and traditional views and beliefs we all used to have. What are we teaching ourselves when we decide to sit down and watch a show full of spoiled, rich, ignorant, and downright idiotic broads (Kardashians, anyone?)? What are we doing to ourselves listening to some crooner belt out a song about their broken lovelife, or the simple problems they face (Bieber, Perry, etc, come to mind) when us, the "90%" are struggling to pay our bills, worrying about the future, and just trying to make it through life one day at a time?

It's bad, ladies and gentleponies, it really is. More and more, even the youth in society, tomorrow's driving force, is falling victim to the corporate agenda. We hear everyday about children getting bullied, tortured, ridiculed, to even the point of doing the unthinkable. It's all because the media has corrupted us. The media has created judgments that I bet you 99.99999...% of ponies don't fit into one way or another, yet it is entirely acceptable to call somepony out on their differences, when you're no different than they are?

I write this today, not only as a concerned citizen, who keeps hearing about such tragedies, but also as one who has lived it. I've seen the pain, I've felt the torture. No one should ever have to go through it. If you think for one single moment, that you have power over somepony by belittling them, you've got another thing coming. Bullies, and overall, a**holes in this world mean absolutely nothing. Their sole purpose is to ruin somepony's day just for their amusement.

It's a matter of RESPECT, pure and simple. I'll even spell it out: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It's not hard to do, it really isn't. I don't really care whether or not two ponies like each other, all you have to do is respect them, and nothing more. Look, so what if somepony likes something that isn't considered "normal" or "appropriate?" There's ponies with different interests and hobbies everywhere. We are all different, and no one is perfect. If they think they are perfect, than they don't truly know themselves, and don't understand that they are truly unique, just like each and every single other pony.

I mentioned the media, because if you look at what's popular, you will notice that ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE does it say ANYTHING about respecting somepony and just being civil. It's always fighting with someone, or criticizing or harassing somepony. It's flat out ridiculous, and it's only going to get worse as time goes on, unless we take an active approach, and start changing society. Even the little things matter. Go ahead, make friends with the "weird" ponies. Chances are, once you get to know them, they aren't so different after all.

Bottom line here, if anyone actually read this, is just respect one another, and don't be an a**hole. Treat others the same way you would like to be treated, and even go out of your way to make somepony feel comfortable. And if you are in the unfortunate case where someone is bullying or harassing you, speak up. Don't be afraid to. And always remember you are the better being. Don't let them get to you and show your strength.

One last thing, ladies and gentleponies: remember that no one can tell you who you are. You are whoever you are, and no one can ever take that away.