Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Karla Montolio

As a plus size model with a great deal of confidence, I try to share and teach other women, especially my plus size ladies, to have confidence by encouraging them to think independently by not letting other determine them. Some people would comment rudely on my weight and would disagree with the fact that I am teaching self love and not promoting a healthy life-style. For a long time, I believed in order to be a beautiful plus-size woman, you had to be born with a slim neck, thin face, and flat stomach. Don’t be fooled! Read more>>

Russ Kazmierczak, Jr.

Earlier this year, I organized my seventh annual 24 Hour Comic Challenge. Per the challenge issued by cartoonist Scott McCloud in the mid-’90s, every year, I attempt to create an original 24 page comic book in 24 consecutive hours. I’ve added a performative element to the challenge, by drawing in a storefront window, so fans and friends can watch me “behind glass” all hours of the day and night. To raise awareness for my event, I issue press releases to local media. Some years, I’ll get a hit from a local station and earn some coverage — some years, I don’t. Read more>>

Caleb Vaughn.

I have a lot of opinions and interests in a lot of things. I consistently am thinking of how the world works and my place in the world. I seek to see people be the best they can. At times that means that I share opinions to offer perspectives that haven’t been considered and I’m willing to make people uncomfortable. Because being comfortable means you aren’t growing, never getting better or striving. Due to my unwillingness to allow status quo lives to be around me I am misunderstood as insensitive or lacking grace. I’ve frustrated and bothered people when I share my thoughts on different topics. Read more>>

Chris Jenkins

I feel like both I and my work have been misunderstood for most of my life. From being the introverted bookworm as a kid to being the “bad boy of tech” in my career, people have often misinterpreted my attitude or intentions as standoffish, arrogant, negative, or aggressive, even when I was trying to help or connect in some way. That’s been especially obvious in the last ten years of my career, when as a manager, owner, or adviser, I give “tough love” assessments of a business condition that needs work, or a business idea that has serious flaws, and some folks take that as a personal attack on them. Read more>>

Laura Barsalou

It’s a bright and beautiful summer day, and I’m with a group of my husband’s coworkers at a major league baseball game. We’d been tailgating all morning, laughing and joking, and a few of us leave in the fifth inning to get some concessions and stretch our legs. Our group is comprised of five couples, and I follow one of the men down the long corridor when he suddenly leans over and whispers, “So…Is it true? Read more>>

Camila Garcia-Medina

As a spiritual enthusiast/artist, my work is misunderstood and characterized by many people. The belief that rocks and minerals could have healing properties can be seen as a bit silly by people who don’t understand it. The use of herbs in manifestation is usually mischaracterized as something of the occult. There are a plethora of misconceptions regarding spirituality which unfortunately affects my small business. Read more>>

Wes Lee The Wordsmith

My company’s (Bonzeye Productions) inaugural project was the release of my first team supported, commercial single “Memory Lane” featuring songstress Xiamara Jennings. Later, after several singles and project releases for Bonzeye Productions artists ExRealities and DJ N.Harmonix/Duke LaRon, we released a remastered and extended album version of my previous EP “COPE” under the title of “COPE DELUXE”. Read more>>

Jean-Paul Flerin

Yes, my work is often misunderstood and usually characterized as something stereotypical or run of the mill. The main purpose of my persona / image is to inspire others. Whether it be the make up look, the styling, or detailing within certain parts of a look, everyone should be able to pull some type of inspiration from the given “look”. When we look at others we’re always very quick to view the artist as boy, or girl, their sexuality or certain lifestyle and I’d like to rip apart those stigmas when viewing my art. Read more>>

Desiree Mack

I feel that as an individual there have been moments I have been understood. I am a complex woman. I do not mean that in a negative manner but quite the opposite. I am woman who wears many hats and sometimes it’s hard for people to manage you and the responsibility that comes with what you do. To some it can come off as intimidating, overbearing, overwhelming but it’s who I am and I enjoy having many roles. What I have taken from it is that you can’t change what God has called you to be and do. The right people will understand. If not, don’t try to make them. Read more>>

Steven Schutz

I feel most artists are perhaps misunderstood by most who are not so creative in a multitude of ways. Expressive and creative individuals have a creative drive that is misunderstood, and the artist’s choice of activity is misunderstood and often criticized, not only the work but the choice of line of work, for what we all do is a job, its a 24/7/365 life. Read more>>

Te Aly

I feel like I’ve been misunderstood my whole entire life, I can’t even lie. I used to try and please people just to feel understood or included, but all that did was make me lose touch with myself. It wasn’t until I became self-aware, that I realized that I am not just a star, I am a galaxy. A galaxy is filled up with beautiful components and concepts. Not every single one of them will be understood right away, and that is okay. That is what growth is for, Read more>>

Becca Halbert

Often times people who identify themselves as non-drinkers, sober, sober curious, or just currently not drinking get characterized as “alcoholics” like it’s some sort of stigma that our culture will not allow anyone to shake. This is burdensome, and unfair for those who have decided a relationship with alcohol just doesn’t work for them. Just because someone chooses not to drink, doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a “problem”. Read more>>

Shenika Rhùdd

I think us as people in general are misunderstood but I think us creatives are more misunderstood because we are very creative with creative minds so we think different from everyone else! I am a creative who wears many hats so I am always busy and I have so many different creative interests that I like and want to do. But with the creative mind that I have it sometimes gets very overwhelming and I have to remind myself that I am only one person! Read more>>

Jordan Kidd.

I think all artists are misunderstood because art in itself is left up to one’s interpretation. It’s self expression in the purest form, as an artist once you give your art to the world you can’t allow someone’s interpretation to consume you. You just gotta appreciate the fact they even took the time to listen in the first place. Read more>>