Why is it not good enough to JUST BE YOURSELF?
"Social attitudes manifest themselves in a very basic way within the school environment,"
said study researcher Ian Rivers, "so if the school really upholds sports, kids who are not good at sport are going to be victimized because they are not living up to the expectations of others."
***
"Social attitudes manifest themselves in a very basic way within the school environment,"
said study researcher Ian Rivers, "so if the school really upholds sports, kids who are not good at sport are going to be victimized because they are not living up to the expectations of others."
***
It was a gray day in Boston. There was a chill that seemed to go straight through to my bones. The steady mist of rain was slowly destroying my knit hat and my bottom lip trembled. I stood with some of my team discussing the next steps of logistics. As I spoke, I sensed someone approaching. I turned to find a father with his daughter. He asked, "Are you in charge?" I explained that I was part of a team running the event and asked him how I could be of help. He put his arm lovingly on his daughters shoulder. "She really wants to meet her," he said. I looked at his daughter. She was probably around 16. She wore a red jacket and glasses. She was clutching something in her hand. She spoke excitedly, "I wrote a letter and I want to give it to her."
I smiled and explained that 'everyone wants to see her' and I 'couldn't promise' but 'could try.' As I went on, her eyes welled up with tears. I immediately leaned in to hug her - feeling badly. "What did I say?" I thought. After the hug, I looked in this young girls eyes and then I understood. She was crying because she wanted so badly to meet the person who wrote the words that made her feel that it was okay to just BE.
It was the lyrics of the song that spoke to her (and the thousands of teens that came through that day). The lyrics that let them know it was okay to BE. That it is okay to BE yourself. That one has the right to simply BE who they are. To just BE.
Later, I came back and found my new young friend. "Did you get to see her?" I asked. "Yes!" she exclaimed. She went on to tell me that she gave her letter to a security guard and she hopes that her idol will read it. I assured her that she would. As we spoke, the television crews were interviewing a group of young kids behind us. I turned and grabbed my young friend and introduced her to an available anchorman.
As I watched her answer questions, I realized I was crying. You see, while her father thanked me, what he doesn't know, it was I who should have been saying thank you. In fact, more important to me that day than meeting Oprah, was my interaction with this young girl.
She touched my heart.
She reminded me of how important it is that we, as a society, do what we need to do to protect our youngest citizens. To empower them. To let them know it is okay to be who they are. To not impose on them restrictions and definitions that stop them from reaching their full potential. To break down the walls of fear that result in bullying and intimidation. To break down the walls of prejudice and pride.
She touched my heart.
She reminded me that for us to achieve advancement in this area, that we - as adults - must learn to love ourselves and each other more. That we must work to be a stronger example. That we must set a better model.
She touched my heart.
This month, I dedicate my work to Samantha and promise to work tirelessly to find ways to empower, encourage and inspire our youth. Will you join me?
I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Born this Way (Lady Gaga)
As the radio call came with a request for me to run off and help elsewhere, I turned to my partner and said, "Do what you can." I squeezed this girls hand and told her that she was beautiful and special. Later, I came back and found my new young friend. "Did you get to see her?" I asked. "Yes!" she exclaimed. She went on to tell me that she gave her letter to a security guard and she hopes that her idol will read it. I assured her that she would. As we spoke, the television crews were interviewing a group of young kids behind us. I turned and grabbed my young friend and introduced her to an available anchorman.
As I watched her answer questions, I realized I was crying. You see, while her father thanked me, what he doesn't know, it was I who should have been saying thank you. In fact, more important to me that day than meeting Oprah, was my interaction with this young girl.
She touched my heart.
She reminded me of how important it is that we, as a society, do what we need to do to protect our youngest citizens. To empower them. To let them know it is okay to be who they are. To not impose on them restrictions and definitions that stop them from reaching their full potential. To break down the walls of fear that result in bullying and intimidation. To break down the walls of prejudice and pride.
She touched my heart.
She reminded me that for us to achieve advancement in this area, that we - as adults - must learn to love ourselves and each other more. That we must work to be a stronger example. That we must set a better model.
She touched my heart.
This month, I dedicate my work to Samantha and promise to work tirelessly to find ways to empower, encourage and inspire our youth. Will you join me?
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