Was (Is) Marblehead different?

When I went out into the world, I was self-assured, and proud of my differences. Any perceived shortcomings that I might have had were not considred deficit, but just differences. The outside world was a shocker, for simple-minded prejudices were rampant. Did we really grow up in a bubble, or was I just fortunate? Are the children still growing up in that bubble? The outside world wants to know.