Bullying- It's not what it used to be | Blake Fields | TEDxYouth@MBJH
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
- π The speaker faced ridicule for wearing UGG boots, an item typically associated with girls in their community.
- π The initial incident of bullying occurred at a football game, where a child made fun of the speaker's choice of footwear.
- π’ The speaker felt fear and anxiety about starting a new school, anticipating potential ridicule from peers.
- π« Bullying continued into the seventh grade, with the speaker being falsely accused of being gay, causing emotional distress.
- π£οΈ The speaker sought help from a counselor, who provided support and reassurance during a difficult time.
- π€ΈββοΈ In eighth grade, the speaker's lack of interest in sports led to further bullying, highlighting the impact of stereotypes.
- π« The speaker's friends defended them against false accusations of being gay, showing loyalty and support.
- π€ Physical bullying escalated, with one incident involving a popular football player intentionally knocking the speaker over.
- π The speaker contemplated extreme actions due to the emotional toll of bullying but found support from friends, family, and teachers.
- π Bullying is a pervasive issue, affecting a significant number of students worldwide, and is often exacerbated by social media.
- π’ 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
π’ 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.
π 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
π‘Bullying
π‘UGG Boots
π‘Confrontation
π‘Fear
π‘Counselor
π‘Performing Arts
π‘Gym Class
π‘Friendship
π‘Social Media
π‘Suicide
π‘Bystanders
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
Browse More Related Video
What is Bullying? for Kids | How to Stop Bullying | National Bullying Prevention Month | Twinkl USA
Together against school bullying (long version)
Bullying is NEVER OK!
Bullying and Corporate Psychopaths at Work: Clive Boddy at TEDxHanzeUniversity
What to do about... Bullying! - SEL Sketches
Trauma in Children: What You Can Do to Help | Uchenna Umeh | TEDxAlief
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: