am i a stereotype am I just another kid entranced by technology and oblivious to
entranced by technology and oblivious to
entranced by technology and oblivious to all else or his got just what society
all else or his got just what society
all else or his got just what society expects of me the thing is as a teenager
expects of me the thing is as a teenager
expects of me the thing is as a teenager I’ve been told that my generation has
I’ve been told that my generation has
I’ve been told that my generation has the future in our hands and
the future in our hands and
the future in our hands and simultaneously that we are unfocused
simultaneously that we are unfocused
simultaneously that we are unfocused lazy and immoral I’ve struggled the
lazy and immoral I’ve struggled the
lazy and immoral I’ve struggled the contradiction a lot as I navigate my way
contradiction a lot as I navigate my way
contradiction a lot as I navigate my way to the purgatory that is adolescence I
to the purgatory that is adolescence I
to the purgatory that is adolescence I grew up believing in myself a younger
grew up believing in myself a younger
grew up believing in myself a younger sea otter have stood before you today
sea otter have stood before you today
sea otter have stood before you today and asserted that you be the next
and asserted that you be the next
and asserted that you be the next president United States of America would
president United States of America would
president United States of America would change the world and was good enough but
change the world and was good enough but
change the world and was good enough but that is not this yog you see before you
that is not this yog you see before you
that is not this yog you see before you and it begs the question why not it goes
and it begs the question why not it goes
and it begs the question why not it goes back to the idea of what it means to be
back to the idea of what it means to be
back to the idea of what it means to be a teenager and the stereotype of it what
a teenager and the stereotype of it what
a teenager and the stereotype of it what it means to be a so-called millennial
it means to be a so-called millennial
it means to be a so-called millennial and what it means to be connected to the
and what it means to be connected to the
and what it means to be connected to the world to the increasingly complicated
world to the increasingly complicated
world to the increasingly complicated medium of Technology it comes down to
medium of Technology it comes down to
medium of Technology it comes down to the fact that I’ve been belittled enough
the fact that I’ve been belittled enough
the fact that I’ve been belittled enough times through those stereotypes that
times through those stereotypes that
times through those stereotypes that sometimes I start to believe that I’m a
sometimes I start to believe that I’m a
sometimes I start to believe that I’m a 16 year old Muslim American Bangladeshi
16 year old Muslim American Bangladeshi
16 year old Muslim American Bangladeshi teenager and I’ve been labeled enough
teenager and I’ve been labeled enough
teenager and I’ve been labeled enough times that he considered a GMO and the
times that he considered a GMO and the
times that he considered a GMO and the thing is that’s true for almost any
thing is that’s true for almost any
thing is that’s true for almost any teenager we live in a world we were
teenager we live in a world we were
teenager we live in a world we were suffocated by societal expectations our
suffocated by societal expectations our
suffocated by societal expectations our childhood was get dressed eat your
childhood was get dressed eat your
childhood was get dressed eat your breakfast go to school play have fun
our teenage years are choked back the
our teenage years are choked back the tears laugh at the right times achieve
tears laugh at the right times achieve
tears laugh at the right times achieve excellence in all areas of academics
excellence in all areas of academics
excellence in all areas of academics perform on the field sexualized yourself
perform on the field sexualized yourself
perform on the field sexualized yourself and maintain your modesty flirt but not
and maintain your modesty flirt but not
and maintain your modesty flirt but not too much think but don’t challenge prey
too much think but don’t challenge prey
too much think but don’t challenge prey but don’t be religious be yourself
but don’t be religious be yourself
but don’t be religious be yourself but conform to every label that this
but conform to every label that this
but conform to every label that this earth can conjure upon your existence I
earth can conjure upon your existence I
earth can conjure upon your existence I sleep less than five hours a night I do
sleep less than five hours a night I do
sleep less than five hours a night I do more extracurriculars than I can count
more extracurriculars than I can count
more extracurriculars than I can count on my hands and lord knows I’m not
on my hands and lord knows I’m not
on my hands and lord knows I’m not equipped to do arithmetic without a
equipped to do arithmetic without a
equipped to do arithmetic without a calculator I feel as if my life is
calculator I feel as if my life is
calculator I feel as if my life is spinning faster than the free fall of
spinning faster than the free fall of
spinning faster than the free fall of the earth around the Sun but yet I stand
the earth around the Sun but yet I stand
the earth around the Sun but yet I stand here before you believe in that I do too
here before you believe in that I do too
here before you believe in that I do too much and not enough
much and not enough
much and not enough all at once I think I believe that
all at once I think I believe that
all at once I think I believe that because I’ve been told too many times I
because I’ve been told too many times I
because I’ve been told too many times I need to focus on my studies now and my
need to focus on my studies now and my
need to focus on my studies now and my time to be somebody will be later I
time to be somebody will be later I
time to be somebody will be later I believe that because in one sentence
believe that because in one sentence
believe that because in one sentence I’ve been told that I need to get out
I’ve been told that I need to get out
I’ve been told that I need to get out more and that these four years will
more and that these four years will
more and that these four years will define the rest of my life I believe
define the rest of my life I believe
define the rest of my life I believe that because my efficacy is continually
that because my efficacy is continually
that because my efficacy is continually scrutinized by those use ageist
scrutinized by those use ageist
scrutinized by those use ageist attitudes to demean my passion the
attitudes to demean my passion the
attitudes to demean my passion the stereotypes have clouded my judgment of
stereotypes have clouded my judgment of
stereotypes have clouded my judgment of myself my peers and Society for far too
myself my peers and Society for far too
myself my peers and Society for far too long
long
long and I’ve gotten to a place in my life
and I’ve gotten to a place in my life
and I’ve gotten to a place in my life where I’m ready to unapologetically
where I’m ready to unapologetically
where I’m ready to unapologetically declare that nobody has the right to
declare that nobody has the right to
declare that nobody has the right to tell me I cannot do something simply
tell me I cannot do something simply
tell me I cannot do something simply because of my age the idea that the
because of my age the idea that the
because of my age the idea that the number of the years I the number of
number of the years I the number of
number of the years I the number of years I’ve lived on this earth somehow
years I’ve lived on this earth somehow
years I’ve lived on this earth somehow it makes me inherently lesser than is
it makes me inherently lesser than is
it makes me inherently lesser than is inherently ludicrous these stereotypes
inherently ludicrous these stereotypes
inherently ludicrous these stereotypes having just called in my judgment though
having just called in my judgment though
having just called in my judgment though they’re pervasive throughout global
they’re pervasive throughout global
they’re pervasive throughout global culture the language used to describe my
culture the language used to describe my
culture the language used to describe my generation has created a psyche amongst
generation has created a psyche amongst
generation has created a psyche amongst a lot of youth that is been extremely
a lot of youth that is been extremely
a lot of youth that is been extremely detrimental if you log on to any social
detrimental if you log on to any social
detrimental if you log on to any social media platform you will see kids with
media platform you will see kids with
media platform you will see kids with in-depth formulate and educated opinions
in-depth formulate and educated opinions
in-depth formulate and educated opinions on all the world’s greatest problems but
on all the world’s greatest problems but
on all the world’s greatest problems but at school we are told that conversations
at school we are told that conversations
at school we are told that conversations are for adults and at home we are shot
are for adults and at home we are shot
are for adults and at home we are shot into the basement while our parents
into the basement while our parents
into the basement while our parents engage in political discourse over wine
engage in political discourse over wine
engage in political discourse over wine and cheese this continued the little men
and cheese this continued the little men
and cheese this continued the little men of teenage intellectual thought has led
of teenage intellectual thought has led
of teenage intellectual thought has led to a mindset amongst a lot of you that
to a mindset amongst a lot of you that
to a mindset amongst a lot of you that is about parties relationships and
is about parties relationships and
is about parties relationships and grades but just like all human beings we
grades but just like all human beings we
grades but just like all human beings we are multifaceted it cannot continue to
are multifaceted it cannot continue to
are multifaceted it cannot continue to be put into this
be put into this
be put into this box we have voices and I’ve personally
box we have voices and I’ve personally
box we have voices and I’ve personally seen the good positivity and power they
seen the good positivity and power they
seen the good positivity and power they can inspire I would now like to offer
can inspire I would now like to offer
can inspire I would now like to offer three story that I think demonstrate
three story that I think demonstrate
three story that I think demonstrate this positivity perfectly the first is
this positivity perfectly the first is
this positivity perfectly the first is at the pan the second is of locks and
at the pan the second is of locks and
at the pan the second is of locks and the third is of a mirror I think this
the third is of a mirror I think this
the third is of a mirror I think this first story is one that many of you
first story is one that many of you
first story is one that many of you might be familiar with but when it never
might be familiar with but when it never
might be familiar with but when it never ceases to amaze me on October 9th of
ceases to amaze me on October 9th of
ceases to amaze me on October 9th of 2012 a bowl a girl’s boarded her school
2012 a bowl a girl’s boarded her school
2012 a bowl a girl’s boarded her school bus in the Swat Valley of Pakistan and
bus in the Swat Valley of Pakistan and
bus in the Swat Valley of Pakistan and it was met by bullet to her face at the
it was met by bullet to her face at the
it was met by bullet to her face at the hands of the Taliban that girl is Malala
hands of the Taliban that girl is Malala
hands of the Taliban that girl is Malala yousufzai born into a household that
yousufzai born into a household that
yousufzai born into a household that valued her education she began to speak
valued her education she began to speak
valued her education she began to speak out as early as at the age of 12
out as early as at the age of 12
out as early as at the age of 12 asserting that battalion had no right to
asserting that battalion had no right to
asserting that battalion had no right to take the right of education away from
take the right of education away from
take the right of education away from her she began to blog anonymously for
her she began to blog anonymously for
her she began to blog anonymously for BBC or ado chronicling the atrocities
BBC or ado chronicling the atrocities
BBC or ado chronicling the atrocities committed by the Taliban including the
committed by the Taliban including the
committed by the Taliban including the including the clothes in her burying
including the clothes in her burying
including the clothes in her burying school in 2009 and their subsequent
school in 2009 and their subsequent
school in 2009 and their subsequent bombings of over a hundred girls schools
bombings of over a hundred girls schools
bombings of over a hundred girls schools the schools eventually reopened in the
the schools eventually reopened in the
the schools eventually reopened in the blog ended her activism was only
blog ended her activism was only
blog ended her activism was only starting after the New York Times leased
starting after the New York Times leased
starting after the New York Times leased a documentary about her she began to
a documentary about her she began to
a documentary about her she began to receive attention from international
receive attention from international
receive attention from international media winning a host of extremely
media winning a host of extremely
media winning a host of extremely prestigious awards she continued to
prestigious awards she continued to
prestigious awards she continued to speak out despite the fact that it made
speak out despite the fact that it made
speak out despite the fact that it made her life in danger Malala was shot in
her life in danger Malala was shot in
her life in danger Malala was shot in the face on that fateful day because of
the face on that fateful day because of
the face on that fateful day because of the power of her activism and after a
the power of her activism and after a
the power of her activism and after a long medical rehabilitation process she
long medical rehabilitation process she
long medical rehabilitation process she continued to trail blades in a truly
continued to trail blades in a truly
continued to trail blades in a truly unprecedented way bringing her before
unprecedented way bringing her before
unprecedented way bringing her before the United Nations to state that I am
the United Nations to state that I am
the United Nations to state that I am not against anyone neither am i here in
not against anyone neither am i here in
not against anyone neither am i here in terms of personal revenge against the
terms of personal revenge against the
terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any terrorist group I am here
Taliban or any terrorist group I am here
Taliban or any terrorist group I am here to stand up for the right of education
to stand up for the right of education
to stand up for the right of education for every child I wanted to catch into
for every child I wanted to catch into
for every child I wanted to catch into the sons and daughters of attalia bond
the sons and daughters of attalia bond
the sons and daughters of attalia bond and any terrorist at any other terrorist
and any terrorist at any other terrorist
and any terrorist at any other terrorist or extremist group at the age of 17
or extremist group at the age of 17
or extremist group at the age of 17 Malala became the youngest Nobel Laura
Malala became the youngest Nobel Laura
Malala became the youngest Nobel Laura but in the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Malala
but in the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Malala
but in the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Malala and her pen are heroes
and her pen are heroes
and her pen are heroes the demonstrate the efficacy one can
the demonstrate the efficacy one can
the demonstrate the efficacy one can have irrespective of one’s age hashtag I
have irrespective of one’s age hashtag I
have irrespective of one’s age hashtag I am Malala has insured over 1 million
am Malala has insured over 1 million
am Malala has insured over 1 million times in social media her story has
times in social media her story has
times in social media her story has largely been shared as a result of tea
largely been shared as a result of tea
largely been shared as a result of tea and eating moved by her story and a blue
and eating moved by her story and a blue
and eating moved by her story and a blue ding her narrative using their cloud on
ding her narrative using their cloud on
ding her narrative using their cloud on social media a study of IB of our
social media a study of IB of our
social media a study of IB of our reports it’s 74 percent of Twitter users
reports it’s 74 percent of Twitter users
reports it’s 74 percent of Twitter users are between the age of 15 and 25 Malala
are between the age of 15 and 25 Malala
are between the age of 15 and 25 Malala is emblematic of the efficacy a teenager
is emblematic of the efficacy a teenager
is emblematic of the efficacy a teenager can have and her rise to prominence is
can have and her rise to prominence is
can have and her rise to prominence is indicative of the power connectors wield
indicative of the power connectors wield
indicative of the power connectors wield with the hashtag in our Arsenal the
with the hashtag in our Arsenal the
with the hashtag in our Arsenal the second story I would now like to share
second story I would now like to share
second story I would now like to share is one of some of you might be familiar
is one of some of you might be familiar
is one of some of you might be familiar with and it is a flocks last spring a
with and it is a flocks last spring a
with and it is a flocks last spring a versatile accomplished and talented
versatile accomplished and talented
versatile accomplished and talented teenager walked the Oscar red carpet
teenager walked the Oscar red carpet
teenager walked the Oscar red carpet it’s putting a new hairstyle gorgeous
it’s putting a new hairstyle gorgeous
it’s putting a new hairstyle gorgeous Brown locks her fans social media and
Brown locks her fans social media and
Brown locks her fans social media and many gushed over the way her beautiful
many gushed over the way her beautiful
many gushed over the way her beautiful hair complemented her white gown
hair complemented her white gown
hair complemented her white gown however giuliana rancic who was then
however giuliana rancic who was then
however giuliana rancic who was then part of east fashion please wasn’t so
part of east fashion please wasn’t so
part of east fashion please wasn’t so kind stating that is India’s locks made
kind stating that is India’s locks made
kind stating that is India’s locks made her feel like Cynthia smelled like weed
her feel like Cynthia smelled like weed
her feel like Cynthia smelled like weed the dyers founded eloquently with a
the dyers founded eloquently with a
the dyers founded eloquently with a statement attached to a tweet that reads
statement attached to a tweet that reads
statement attached to a tweet that reads there is a fine line between what is
there is a fine line between what is
there is a fine line between what is funny
funny
funny and disrespectful someone said something
and disrespectful someone said something
and disrespectful someone said something about my hair at the Oscars that left me
about my hair at the Oscars that left me
about my hair at the Oscars that left me in awe not because I was relishing the
in awe not because I was relishing the
in awe not because I was relishing the rave outfit reviews but because I was
rave outfit reviews but because I was
rave outfit reviews but because I was hit with pura d’Or suspect and in an
hit with pura d’Or suspect and in an
hit with pura d’Or suspect and in an ignorant slurs to say that an eighteen
ignorant slurs to say that an eighteen
ignorant slurs to say that an eighteen year old woman with locs must not like
year old woman with locs must not like
year old woman with locs must not like Petrucci oil or weed is not only a large
Petrucci oil or weed is not only a large
Petrucci oil or weed is not only a large theater but also outrageously offensive
theater but also outrageously offensive
theater but also outrageously offensive i don’t usually feel the need to respond
i don’t usually feel the need to respond
i don’t usually feel the need to respond to negative things but certain remarks
to negative things but certain remarks
to negative things but certain remarks cannot go unchecked she then continued
cannot go unchecked she then continued
cannot go unchecked she then continued by declaring that many of her family
by declaring that many of her family
by declaring that many of her family members of combat individuals and
members of combat individuals and
members of combat individuals and historical figures all have lots in
historical figures all have lots in
historical figures all have lots in common none of which smell like
common none of which smell like
common none of which smell like marijuana she concluded by saying
marijuana she concluded by saying
marijuana she concluded by saying there is already a harsh criticism of
there is already a harsh criticism of
there is already a harsh criticism of african-american hair and society
african-american hair and society
african-american hair and society without the help of ignorant individuals
without the help of ignorant individuals
without the help of ignorant individuals who choose to judge people based on the
who choose to judge people based on the
who choose to judge people based on the coral of their hair my wearing of hair
coral of their hair my wearing of hair
coral of their hair my wearing of hair and lox the Oscars was to showcase them
and lox the Oscars was to showcase them
and lox the Oscars was to showcase them in a positive light and to remind people
in a positive light and to remind people
in a positive light and to remind people of color that our hair is good enough to
of color that our hair is good enough to
of color that our hair is good enough to me
me
me LOX are a symbol of strength and beauty
LOX are a symbol of strength and beauty
LOX are a symbol of strength and beauty almost like a lion’s mane finishing by
almost like a lion’s mane finishing by
almost like a lion’s mane finishing by suggesting that people not judged so
suggesting that people not judged so
suggesting that people not judged so quickly her words have been shared over
quickly her words have been shared over
quickly her words have been shared over 80,000 times drunk widespread a
80,000 times drunk widespread a
80,000 times drunk widespread a widespread attention inspiring pride or
widespread attention inspiring pride or
widespread attention inspiring pride or in support of many she demonstrated to
in support of many she demonstrated to
in support of many she demonstrated to the world the beauty of black culture
the world the beauty of black culture
the world the beauty of black culture and that raises ignorance cannot go
and that raises ignorance cannot go
and that raises ignorance cannot go unchallenged
unchallenged
unchallenged she flawlessly demonstrated that she did
she flawlessly demonstrated that she did
she flawlessly demonstrated that she did not have to fit a stereotype to be
not have to fit a stereotype to be
not have to fit a stereotype to be perceived seem or feel beautiful she is
perceived seem or feel beautiful she is
perceived seem or feel beautiful she is furthered that same commitment to social
furthered that same commitment to social
furthered that same commitment to social justice – recently speaking out on the
justice – recently speaking out on the
justice – recently speaking out on the difference between cultural
difference between cultural
difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation and
appropriation and appreciation and
appropriation and appreciation and famously recently calling out modernized
famously recently calling out modernized
famously recently calling out modernized magazine for publishing a retouched
magazine for publishing a retouched
magazine for publishing a retouched image of her with a post on Instagram
image of her with a post on Instagram
image of her with a post on Instagram that reads this is what makes women feel
that reads this is what makes women feel
that reads this is what makes women feel self-conscious the create the
self-conscious the create the
self-conscious the create the unrealistic ideals of beauty that we
unrealistic ideals of beauty that we
unrealistic ideals of beauty that we have anyone who knows me knows that I
have anyone who knows me knows that I
have anyone who knows me knows that I stand for honest and pure self-love
stand for honest and pure self-love
stand for honest and pure self-love motto lies the magazine men took down
motto lies the magazine men took down
motto lies the magazine men took down the retouched image and replaced that
the retouched image and replaced that
the retouched image and replaced that with the original her bravery has
with the original her bravery has
with the original her bravery has transformed public perception discourse
transformed public perception discourse
transformed public perception discourse and activism in a truly positive way
and activism in a truly positive way
and activism in a truly positive way Cynthia is only 19 years old the change
Cynthia is only 19 years old the change
Cynthia is only 19 years old the change either been able to impact on society is
either been able to impact on society is
either been able to impact on society is truly remarkable she has proven the
truly remarkable she has proven the
truly remarkable she has proven the power one can have by using social media
power one can have by using social media
power one can have by using social media to advance the cause of justice she’s
to advance the cause of justice she’s
to advance the cause of justice she’s over 15 million followers on Instagram
over 15 million followers on Instagram
over 15 million followers on Instagram and over 6 million followers on Twitter
and over 6 million followers on Twitter
and over 6 million followers on Twitter many of which are teenagers and she used
many of which are teenagers and she used
many of which are teenagers and she used that for positivity a study by the Pew
that for positivity a study by the Pew
that for positivity a study by the Pew Research Center found that 71 percent of
Research Center found that 71 percent of
Research Center found that 71 percent of teenagers are active on more than one
teenagers are active on more than one
teenagers are active on more than one social media site and men’s adaiah
social media site and men’s adaiah
social media site and men’s adaiah influentially capitalized on
influentially capitalized on
influentially capitalized on that fact to make this world a better
that fact to make this world a better
that fact to make this world a better place the last story I will now share is
place the last story I will now share is
place the last story I will now share is one that isn’t at global in its impact
one that isn’t at global in its impact
one that isn’t at global in its impact nor is the one that many of you be
nor is the one that many of you be
nor is the one that many of you be familiar with but it’s one that
familiar with but it’s one that
familiar with but it’s one that definitely hits close to home I will now
definitely hits close to home I will now
definitely hits close to home I will now share my story my name is the odd Ahmed
share my story my name is the odd Ahmed
share my story my name is the odd Ahmed and I stand before you today because of
and I stand before you today because of
and I stand before you today because of my passion for social justice a 14 years
my passion for social justice a 14 years
my passion for social justice a 14 years old moved by the injustice I saw around
old moved by the injustice I saw around
old moved by the injustice I saw around me I found that an organization for
me I found that an organization for
me I found that an organization for teens called redefine with our mission
teens called redefine with our mission
teens called redefine with our mission being to defy stereotypes redefine
being to defy stereotypes redefine
being to defy stereotypes redefine perspectives positively embrace
perspectives positively embrace
perspectives positively embrace acceptance in part and to embrace
acceptance in part and to embrace
acceptance in part and to embrace acceptance and to raise acceptance and
acceptance and to raise acceptance and
acceptance and to raise acceptance and tolerance and to create an active
tolerance and to create an active
tolerance and to create an active community my activism is rooted in my
community my activism is rooted in my
community my activism is rooted in my belief that all and justices are one
belief that all and justices are one
belief that all and justices are one injustice and I and I advocate for
injustice and I and I advocate for
injustice and I and I advocate for equality because I recognize the fact
equality because I recognize the fact
equality because I recognize the fact that we cannot selectively advocate for
that we cannot selectively advocate for
that we cannot selectively advocate for equality because by definition it is for
equality because by definition it is for
equality because by definition it is for all far too many people are being
all far too many people are being
all far too many people are being marginalized belittled and ostracized I
marginalized belittled and ostracized I
marginalized belittled and ostracized I use my voice to advance the cause of
use my voice to advance the cause of
use my voice to advance the cause of justice whether it be in speeches like
justice whether it be in speeches like
justice whether it be in speeches like this on Twitter or at school I do not
this on Twitter or at school I do not
this on Twitter or at school I do not believe I’m limited by my age in any way
believe I’m limited by my age in any way
believe I’m limited by my age in any way shape or form and I am tired of the
shape or form and I am tired of the
shape or form and I am tired of the perception from an activism political
perception from an activism political
perception from an activism political engagement or social changes for later
engagement or social changes for later
engagement or social changes for later Brida Phi has grown to a team of nearly
Brida Phi has grown to a team of nearly
Brida Phi has grown to a team of nearly a hundred 50 students from 10 different
a hundred 50 students from 10 different
a hundred 50 students from 10 different countries to amass Oh Tomas over in two
countries to amass Oh Tomas over in two
countries to amass Oh Tomas over in two thousand likes on Facebook and nearly 40
thousand likes on Facebook and nearly 40
thousand likes on Facebook and nearly 40 thousand hits on our website our work
thousand hits on our website our work
thousand hits on our website our work has been commanded by PBS MTV and even
has been commanded by PBS MTV and even
has been commanded by PBS MTV and even President Barack Obama personally last
President Barack Obama personally last
President Barack Obama personally last summer
in the face of malicious bigotry hateful
in the face of malicious bigotry hateful ignorance and heartbreaking prejudice
ignorance and heartbreaking prejudice
ignorance and heartbreaking prejudice I’ve questioned my legitimacy efficacy
I’ve questioned my legitimacy efficacy
I’ve questioned my legitimacy efficacy and integrity but when I look in the
and integrity but when I look in the
and integrity but when I look in the mirror I am proud of how far I’ve come
mirror I am proud of how far I’ve come
mirror I am proud of how far I’ve come and a change that I’ve been able to
and a change that I’ve been able to
and a change that I’ve been able to influence when I look in the mirror I
influence when I look in the mirror I
influence when I look in the mirror I pray that people see me not for my
pray that people see me not for my
pray that people see me not for my pigment my body type or any of my
pigment my body type or any of my
pigment my body type or any of my arbitrary idiosyncrasies
arbitrary idiosyncrasies
arbitrary idiosyncrasies but for Who I am and I pray that I can
but for Who I am and I pray that I can
but for Who I am and I pray that I can be part of the solution that ensures
be part of the solution that ensures
be part of the solution that ensures that reality for all I would be foolish
that reality for all I would be foolish
that reality for all I would be foolish to believe that redefine successes all
to believe that redefine successes all
to believe that redefine successes all things to mean or that my work is
things to mean or that my work is
things to mean or that my work is remotely over so I aspire to be better
remotely over so I aspire to be better
remotely over so I aspire to be better to think smarter to dream bigger to
to think smarter to dream bigger to
to think smarter to dream bigger to advocate louder because of the people
advocate louder because of the people
advocate louder because of the people I’ve met the story that’s even moved by
I’ve met the story that’s even moved by
I’ve met the story that’s even moved by because the role models I have because
because the role models I have because
because the role models I have because of the support I’ve been blessed to
of the support I’ve been blessed to
of the support I’ve been blessed to receive because of the reality I’ve
receive because of the reality I’ve
receive because of the reality I’ve chosen to confront i sat at a table
chosen to confront i sat at a table
chosen to confront i sat at a table across and the President of the United
across and the President of the United
across and the President of the United States of America Barack Obama for
States of America Barack Obama for
States of America Barack Obama for nearly two hours in disgust world
nearly two hours in disgust world
nearly two hours in disgust world affairs ranging from education to
affairs ranging from education to
affairs ranging from education to discrimination to foreign policy I had
discrimination to foreign policy I had
discrimination to foreign policy I had the opportunity for him to validate my
the opportunity for him to validate my
the opportunity for him to validate my existence by telling me he was proud of
existence by telling me he was proud of
existence by telling me he was proud of me in a speech with chilling genuineness
me in a speech with chilling genuineness
me in a speech with chilling genuineness I wish every day that every person every
I wish every day that every person every
I wish every day that every person every teenager could experience that same
teenager could experience that same
teenager could experience that same validation I am that much more motivated
validation I am that much more motivated
validation I am that much more motivated to pursue my journey of activism
to pursue my journey of activism
to pursue my journey of activism as a result of being never having dreamt
as a result of being never having dreamt
as a result of being never having dreamt that read if I were taking anywhere let
that read if I were taking anywhere let
that read if I were taking anywhere let alone legally I sit at that table but I
alone legally I sit at that table but I
alone legally I sit at that table but I am here today to tell you that it can be
am here today to tell you that it can be
am here today to tell you that it can be you but it could happen it happened to
you but it could happen it happened to
you but it could happen it happened to me and I am so confident that if
me and I am so confident that if
me and I am so confident that if everyone in this room takes the time to
everyone in this room takes the time to
everyone in this room takes the time to initiate a positive change in this world
initiate a positive change in this world
initiate a positive change in this world that all of you will experience a moment
that all of you will experience a moment
that all of you will experience a moment of validation that precious I want to
of validation that precious I want to
of validation that precious I want to say though that it’s hard I’ve lost
say though that it’s hard I’ve lost
say though that it’s hard I’ve lost friends I’ve been called names I’ve had
friends I’ve been called names I’ve had
friends I’ve been called names I’ve had to miss out on all I’ve sacrificed
it’s not easy to oppose the status quo
it’s not easy to oppose the status quo but it’s essential the shift the
but it’s essential the shift the
but it’s essential the shift the paradigms of society I think it’s often
paradigms of society I think it’s often
paradigms of society I think it’s often easy to forget but today’s world issues
easy to forget but today’s world issues
easy to forget but today’s world issues affect us teenagers as much as anyone
affect us teenagers as much as anyone
affect us teenagers as much as anyone but more than that it’s hard to remember
but more than that it’s hard to remember
but more than that it’s hard to remember the not only do they affect us as much
the not only do they affect us as much
the not only do they affect us as much as anyone but the begin of as much
as anyone but the begin of as much
as anyone but the begin of as much advocacy in solving them as much as
advocacy in solving them as much as
advocacy in solving them as much as anyone in so many different meaningful
anyone in so many different meaningful
anyone in so many different meaningful ways whether it be globally or locally
our time can be called your adulthood
our time can be called your adulthood but it doesn’t have to be poverty racism
but it doesn’t have to be poverty racism
but it doesn’t have to be poverty racism discrimination homophobia disease all of
discrimination homophobia disease all of
discrimination homophobia disease all of our world’s greatest problems are
our world’s greatest problems are
our world’s greatest problems are happening now and we can act now and
happening now and we can act now and
happening now and we can act now and make a real difference look at sandhaya
make a real difference look at sandhaya
make a real difference look at sandhaya Malala or even me and don’t view us as
Malala or even me and don’t view us as
Malala or even me and don’t view us as the exception but see yourself our age
the exception but see yourself our age
the exception but see yourself our age does not limit our activism we have the
does not limit our activism we have the
does not limit our activism we have the hashtag our perspectives and unique
hashtag our perspectives and unique
hashtag our perspectives and unique skills that position us to influence
skills that position us to influence
skills that position us to influence global change and to not only sit at the
global change and to not only sit at the
global change and to not only sit at the table but to be at the head I now want
table but to be at the head I now want
table but to be at the head I now want to leave you with a poem that I wrote in
to leave you with a poem that I wrote in
to leave you with a poem that I wrote in August 2014 that I think perfectly sums
August 2014 that I think perfectly sums
August 2014 that I think perfectly sums up a lot of the issues I’ve talked about
up a lot of the issues I’ve talked about
up a lot of the issues I’ve talked about today
we used to play that game Simon Says the
we used to play that game Simon Says the leader tells you what to do and you
leader tells you what to do and you
leader tells you what to do and you imitate exactly or you were our Simon
imitate exactly or you were our Simon
imitate exactly or you were our Simon Says Simon Says Simon Says the words
Says Simon Says Simon Says the words
Says Simon Says Simon Says the words almost never end the name of the game
almost never end the name of the game
almost never end the name of the game was to copy to conform to instructor
was to copy to conform to instructor
was to copy to conform to instructor because originality was a childhood
because originality was a childhood
because originality was a childhood felony society says and if we don’t
felony society says and if we don’t
felony society says and if we don’t follow our we out no because laymen’s
follow our we out no because laymen’s
follow our we out no because laymen’s that I gave me despite what some might
that I gave me despite what some might
that I gave me despite what some might say no one is our but society says and
say no one is our but society says and
say no one is our but society says and we follow or we feel that we were out
we follow or we feel that we were out
we follow or we feel that we were out winning has so quickly become equated
winning has so quickly become equated
winning has so quickly become equated with the idea of imitating the best
with the idea of imitating the best
with the idea of imitating the best instead of being the best being yourself
instead of being the best being yourself
instead of being the best being yourself maybe that ironic foreshadowing of the
maybe that ironic foreshadowing of the
maybe that ironic foreshadowing of the silly games the lesson that we elected
silly games the lesson that we elected
silly games the lesson that we elected to teach our kids by the force that is
to teach our kids by the force that is
to teach our kids by the force that is society maybe we’ve systematically
society maybe we’ve systematically
society maybe we’ve systematically taught that you do not oppose that Simon
taught that you do not oppose that Simon
taught that you do not oppose that Simon Says from what society says goes maybe
Says from what society says goes maybe
Says from what society says goes maybe there was our fatal flaw for what
there was our fatal flaw for what
there was our fatal flaw for what society says doesn’t just go maybe what
society says doesn’t just go maybe what
society says doesn’t just go maybe what we say goes who we are goes he wanted so
we say goes who we are goes he wanted so
we say goes who we are goes he wanted so much to win to stay in that stupid
much to win to stay in that stupid
much to win to stay in that stupid little game because Society says Society
little game because Society says Society
little game because Society says Society says Society screams but I say no I
says Society screams but I say no I
says Society screams but I say no I never liked Simon anyway
”
Be First to Comment