Bullying- It's not what it used to be | Blake Fields | TEDxYouth@MBJH

TEDx Talks

3 Jun 201508:20

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe speaker recounts personal experiences with bullying, from being mocked for wearing UGG boots to facing rumors about their sexuality and physical intimidation. They emphasize the importance of speaking up against bullying, seeking support, and the role of friends, family, and educators in overcoming these challenges. The script highlights the prevalence and severity of bullying, urging for collective action to prevent its devastating effects, including the risk of suicide among victims.

Takeaways

👟 The speaker faced ridicule for wearing UGG boots, an item typically associated with girls in their community.
🏈 The initial incident of bullying occurred at a football game, where a child made fun of the speaker's choice of footwear.
😢 The speaker felt fear and anxiety about starting a new school, anticipating potential ridicule from peers.
🏫 Bullying continued into the seventh grade, with the speaker being falsely accused of being gay, causing emotional distress.
🗣️ The speaker sought help from a counselor, who provided support and reassurance during a difficult time.
🤸‍♂️ In eighth grade, the speaker's lack of interest in sports led to further bullying, highlighting the impact of stereotypes.
🚫 The speaker's friends defended them against false accusations of being gay, showing loyalty and support.
🤕 Physical bullying escalated, with one incident involving a popular football player intentionally knocking the speaker over.
💔 The speaker contemplated extreme actions due to the emotional toll of bullying but found support from friends, family, and teachers.
🌐 Bullying is a pervasive issue, affecting a significant number of students worldwide, and is often exacerbated by social media.
📢 The speaker emphasizes the importance of speaking out against bullying, seeking support, and the role of adults and leaders in addressing this serious issue.

Q & A

What was the initial incident that led the speaker to feel uncomfortable at a football game?
-The speaker felt uncomfortable when a kid at the football game pointed and laughed at him because he was wearing a pair of UGG boots, which were considered unusual for boys in Mountain Brook.
How did the speaker react to the kid who made fun of his UGG boots?
-The speaker confronted the kid, telling him that wearing UGGs doesn't make him weird, and the kid eventually apologized.
What fear did the speaker have starting seventh grade at a new school?
-The speaker was terrified to start seventh grade at a new school due to the fear of getting made fun of by kids he didn't know.
What incident occurred during the second week of school that upset the speaker?
-During the second week of school, a group of guys near the speaker's locker called him gay, which he overheard and was deeply upset by.
What action did the speaker take after being called gay by a peer?
-The speaker ran to the bathroom, cried, and later talked to a counselor about the incident, which helped him feel better.
Why did the speaker struggle with gym class in eighth grade?
-The speaker struggled with gym class because he was more interested in performing arts and was not as athletic, leading to ridicule from his peers.
What steps did the speaker take to address the bullying in gym class?
-The speaker talked to the counselor every day about the bullying during PE, and eventually, the counselor switched him out of the class.
How did the speaker's friends respond when someone told them to stop being friends with the speaker?
-The speaker's friends defended him, told the person to shut up, and affirmed that they would remain friends with the speaker regardless of the rumors.
What physical incident occurred that escalated the bullying the speaker experienced?
-A popular football player on campus rammed into the speaker in the hallway, causing him to fall and drop his books, after which the bully and his friends laughed at him.
How did the speaker cope with the intense bullying he faced?
-The speaker talked to his friends, family, math teacher Miss Cathy, and counselor Miss Lancaster, who provided support and helped him get through the difficult times.
What message does the speaker convey about the importance of addressing bullying?
-The speaker emphasizes the importance of talking about bullying, standing up for oneself, and seeking help from others, as well as the need for adults and leaders to listen to and support victims of bullying.

Outlines

00:00

👢 Experiencing Bullying Over UGG Boots

The narrator recounts their initial encounter with bullying at football games due to wearing UGG boots, which were considered unusual for boys in their area. They describe confronting the bully and receiving an apology, but this incident left them fearful of starting at a new school. The bullying continued into seventh grade with rumors about their sexuality and even physical altercations in the hallways. The narrator emphasizes the importance of talking to friends, family, and teachers to cope with the emotional toll of bullying.

05:03

😔 The Impact and Prevalence of Bullying

This paragraph delves into the broader implications and statistics of bullying, highlighting the tragic outcomes such as suicide among victims. The narrator provides alarming figures about the number of students affected by bullying and the severe consequences, including death. They stress the importance of standing up against bullying, both for the victims and bystanders, and call for adults and leaders to listen and support those affected. The paragraph concludes with a call to action, urging everyone to recognize the seriousness of bullying in the modern age of social media.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Bullying

Bullying is the repeated, unwanted, and intentional behavior that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. In the video, it is the central theme, illustrating the negative impact it has on the narrator's life, from being mocked for wearing UGG boots to enduring physical and verbal abuse at school. The script uses personal experiences to highlight the severity of bullying and its consequences.

💡UGG Boots

UGG Boots are a type of footwear originally associated with women's fashion, particularly in the narrator's hometown of Mountain Brook. The term is used in the script to describe an incident where the narrator was ridiculed for wearing them, which was considered unusual for boys, showcasing an early experience of bullying based on gender norms and fashion choices.

💡Confrontation

Confrontation refers to the act of facing or dealing with a challenging situation or person directly. In the script, the narrator recounts confronting a peer who mocked them for wearing UGG boots, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing bullying, even though it was their first experience with such behavior.

💡Fear

Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat or danger. The script describes the narrator's fear of starting at a new school due to past bullying experiences, illustrating the psychological impact of bullying and the anxiety it can cause in anticipation of further victimization.

💡Counselor

A counselor is a professional who provides guidance and support, particularly in matters of mental health and personal challenges. In the video, the narrator turns to a counselor for help after being bullied, emphasizing the role of supportive figures in mitigating the effects of bullying and providing a safe space for victims to share their experiences.

💡Performing Arts

Performing Arts encompass a variety of art forms that involve performance, such as theater, dance, and music. The narrator mentions a preference for performing arts over sports, which becomes a point of ridicule from peers, further exploring the theme of bullying related to interests and personal passions that deviate from the norm.

💡Gym Class

Gym class, or physical education, is a part of the school curriculum focused on physical activity and sports. The script describes the narrator's struggles in gym class due to a lack of interest in sports and a preference for performing arts, leading to further bullying and illustrating the challenges faced by students whose interests do not align with typical expectations.

💡Friendship

Friendship is a close relationship between equals, often involving mutual affection and support. The video highlights the importance of friends who stand by the narrator despite rumors and bullying, showcasing the role of friendship as a protective factor against the negative impacts of bullying.

💡Social Media

Social media refers to online platforms that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The script mentions social media as a modern extension of bullying, where victims cannot escape from their tormentors, emphasizing the pervasive and continuous nature of bullying in the digital age.

💡Suicide

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. The video discusses the tragic outcomes of bullying, including the consideration or completion of suicide by victims who feel they have no other option, underscoring the severity and real-life consequences of bullying.

💡Bystanders

Bystanders are individuals who witness an event or situation without being directly involved. The script encourages bystanders to take action when they see bullying occur, explaining that their support can be crucial in providing comfort to victims and discouraging bullies, highlighting the collective responsibility to address and prevent bullying.

Highlights

The narrator's initial experience of bullying occurred at a football game due to wearing UGG boots, which were considered unusual for boys in their area.

Confronting the bully at the football game led to an apology, but the incident left the narrator feeling vulnerable and apprehensive about starting a new school.

In seventh grade, the narrator faced rumors and name-calling, including being falsely accused of being gay, which caused significant emotional distress.

The narrator sought help from a school counselor, who provided support and reassurance during a challenging time.

Eighth grade brought further bullying, particularly in gym class, where the narrator's lack of interest in sports led to ridicule from peers.

Friends stood by the narrator, defending them against false accusations of being gay and rejecting the influence of the bully.

A popular football player began physically bullying the narrator by intentionally ramming into them in the hallways, escalating the situation.

The narrator contemplated extreme actions due to the emotional toll of the bullying but found support in talking to friends, family, and teachers.

The importance of speaking out about bullying and seeking help from trusted individuals is emphasized as crucial for overcoming its effects.

Bullying is described as a pervasive issue affecting a significant number of students, with statistics highlighting its prevalence and impact.

The tragic outcomes of bullying, including suicide, are discussed to underscore the severity of the issue and the need for intervention.

The narrator calls for awareness and action, urging listeners to recognize the importance of every individual's story in the context of bullying.

Advice is given on how to address bullying, including standing up for oneself, supporting others, and the role of bystanders in preventing it.

Adults and leaders are urged to listen to victims of bullying and take action to support them, recognizing the seriousness of modern bullying.

The narrator reflects on the potential consequences had they not spoken up and received support, emphasizing the importance of intervention.

A call to action concludes the speech, imploring the audience to consider the impact of bullying and to take steps to prevent it.

Transcripts

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Takeaways

Q & A

What was the initial incident that led the speaker to feel uncomfortable at a football game?

How did the speaker react to the kid who made fun of his UGG boots?

What fear did the speaker have starting seventh grade at a new school?

What incident occurred during the second week of school that upset the speaker?

What action did the speaker take after being called gay by a peer?

Why did the speaker struggle with gym class in eighth grade?

What steps did the speaker take to address the bullying in gym class?

How did the speaker's friends respond when someone told them to stop being friends with the speaker?

What physical incident occurred that escalated the bullying the speaker experienced?

How did the speaker cope with the intense bullying he faced?

What message does the speaker convey about the importance of addressing bullying?