: smiles gently :
Russano,
First, welcome to the group. Second, Drake was right with what he said about people around your age and how they will cut others to the bone in an effort to fit in....or more often, out of fear that they will be the next tease target if they don't go along with the crowd and make fun of someone else.
Please remember, as Kada said, we are all humans here, whether we have an affinity for another creature or not...and whether we like it or not. When you generalize things and say "humans hate us" and when others gernealize the species f human and say negative things about them, based on the actions of a few jerks who are cruel, it is just as wrong as when furries (or any other group) is stereotyped and generalized. Try not to lump everyone in a species or group together when you speak, as it makes you sound just like those you are upset about.
If it really bothers you about how the furry community is perceived, there are small things you can do to try to improve things for yourself (and possibly for other furs).
This goes for anyone btw:
1.First thing you can do is NOT foster the negative steortypes out there which portray furries as sex craved beasitiality mongers. That means, do not draw animal/anthro porn or show it off at school (or work for you adults). That kind of thing is a person by person showing basis and should be done after a person has a good idea of what a furry is.
2. Don't treat humans or refer to them, as if they were a separate race other then yourself. You are a human. They are a human. Your efforts are to show them that furries are merely people with slightly different tastes in hobbies or preferrences. Ailenating yourself or furries from the human species will only work against what you are trying to achieve.
3. With people who seem openminded and curious (which I know may be a rarity among your schoolmates), explain what it means to you when you call yourself a furry. Think about how you will explain it to people before you do so. Thinking ahead can often eliminate uncomfortable silences which can appear like you are trying to cover sometihng up, when in fact, you might be trying to fond a proper way to word sometihng. Pick people whose opinions really matter to you when you choose to 'come out of the furry closet' so to speak.
4. Realize that your own opinion and outlook is really what matters most. It is what shines through when people have yet to hear you speak. It is what draws others to or pushed others away from you. A frowning 'badattitude' walking one's way is more likely to be ignored or put others on the defensive then a smiling face or pleasant demeanor. Be happy with yourself and worry only what tose most important to you think. And even then...never hinge your happiness on another person's opinion.
5. Now...please don't take this the wrong way... and read it carefully before going off. Don't act like a freak. Don't over exaggerate your animalistic tendencies (if you have them) in places where it is not appropriate. For example, when someone says "have a seat and make yourself comfortable", do not sit on the floor and try to lick yourself, don't roll around 'scratching your back' on the carpet with your four limbs resting in mid air. (yes I have seen it personally) Just sit. Normally. There is a time and place for furry play and animal acting out, and there is also a time for socailly accepted manners. around other furries or people who have a strong grasp on what furry is, sure... act away til your hearts content. But, in order to make it in the world we live in (socially, laborwise, schoolwise) a furry will have to find a happy medium between furriness and humaness. As Patrick Rangerwolf has stated to me, "Know when to turn the furry side off and behave properly in public situations."
6. Above all, remain calm and collected when you find yourself at odds with another person over furs and furriness. Remember that losing your cool will most definately lose ground of credibility during an arguement. Also, realize that you can't change everyone, nor should you. All you need to do is to be happy with yourself and be accepted as 'you' by those closest to your heart. Everyone else... well...they don't matter all that much when all is said and done.
If everyone does what they can in their own small circle of friends and aquaintences, I think the overall opinion of furries will improve with time. Just like a ripple in a pond spreading throughout the whole surface slowly and evenly. As you get older, you will find other ways to show furres in a positive light. Perhaps you might even turn into a very vocal and well spoken furre in the public eye. I see the potential in your posts. Who knows? :-)
Blessings,
~River
