Isabelle+E’s+2017+OpEd+Article



Twins and the Issues of Individuality

I am an identical twin. In the eye of a stranger, my sister and I are mirror images. To acquaintances, Elizabeth and I look alike, share the same friends, have the same interests and personality, act the same, and are good at the same things. We are often expected to share things as well. I remember one instance where my sister and I went to a social event. The host of the party was short on goodie bags, therefore she decided that my sister and I could share one because we were twins. I was so infuriated, as I hate feeling like less of a person. People often question her, asking if she has the same classes I do. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they expect Elizabeth to say “yes,” when often times her answer is no. Our actions are lumped together as well. If one of us makes a mistake, it is assumed that both of us made the mistake. When we were children, we both danced ballet. One time during a performance I made the grave mistake of walking in front of the star ballerina. Both us were blamed for my mistake. This sort of stuff us happens to us all the time.

On the outside I am seemingly ok with it: people lumping Elizabeth and I together as a pair, not individuals. On the inside, it though it, really irks me, as I want to be seen as the individual I am, not another “Egbert” or “twin.”

Let me make some points here:
 * 1) Her personality is different than mine. Yes we do share some traits, however, the differences outweigh the similarities
 * 2) We have different friends. Mine tend to be more goofy, while hers are more sophisticated
 * 3) Lizzy and I are not good at the same things. Yes, we are twins, thereby, we are bound to be good at similar things, however, our strengths vary. I tend to be better at thinking outside the box, while she loves to diligently follow the directions
 * 4) We most definitely do not act the same. When putting actions into play, my sister contemplates the consequences of an action(therefore evaluating if is a logical one), whereas I just go for it!
 * 5) I take more risks, while she worries about what could go wrong.

Although people see us the same person at times, having a twin, or a sibling of any matter, can be amazing. I always have a relatable, non-judgmental person to talk to, someone to laugh with, and most of all, someone who understands me like I understand myself.

Main point: My sister is an amazing, passionate, caring person who I love having in my life. We are two different people who deserve to be treated like individuals.