We all face times in life where we feel we need to stand up for someone who doesn't have a voice. This might mean children who have become the victims of abuse, animals who are being hurt or mistreated by their owners, or that relative who is undocumented and wants nothing more than for you to leave them alone.
It was the ninth grade and my friends and I were put in a physical education class with sophomores, juniors and seniors. This was a recipe for disaster but nonetheless, we were going to attempt to get along. It was obvious who the freshmen were and who the seniors were and we freshmen were the ones trying to stay out of everyone's way.
One day while changing before our physical activities my friend (let's call him Eke) accidently stepped on a pair of Nike Air Jordans that belonged to a senior. The senior got angry and started to cuss out my friend Eke.
Eke was always a shy and timid guy - he didn't even know what he'd done. All I could see that he was about to get beaten up, so I jumped in between Eke and the senior. I remember exactly what followed: I told him plainly that it was just an accident, and that I wouldn't let my friend get hurt. We exchanged a few words and a few shoves, but he quickly backed off. He might have said some threatening words to Eke, but he realized that if he was going to mess with Eke, he also had to mess with me.
Lesson learned: Stand up for people who don't have a voice. This is how politicians get noticed and eventually get appointed into office. This is also how a leader gets followers. Today, Eke will tell you that I am like his personal hero for standing up for him that day. It just so happens that after that day, nobody ever messed with me and if they tried, I had ten to fifteen people ready to lay a smack down on my behalf.
Being picked on during the middle school years ultimately built my confidence in myself and what I was capable of. I never wanted others to go through the same thing. Just make sure that when you stand up for others who can't stand up for themselves, you always look after yourself too. Ask permission from adults to make sure it's alright to make this kind of stand.
It was the ninth grade and my friends and I were put in a physical education class with sophomores, juniors and seniors. This was a recipe for disaster but nonetheless, we were going to attempt to get along. It was obvious who the freshmen were and who the seniors were and we freshmen were the ones trying to stay out of everyone's way.
One day while changing before our physical activities my friend (let's call him Eke) accidently stepped on a pair of Nike Air Jordans that belonged to a senior. The senior got angry and started to cuss out my friend Eke.
Eke was always a shy and timid guy - he didn't even know what he'd done. All I could see that he was about to get beaten up, so I jumped in between Eke and the senior. I remember exactly what followed: I told him plainly that it was just an accident, and that I wouldn't let my friend get hurt. We exchanged a few words and a few shoves, but he quickly backed off. He might have said some threatening words to Eke, but he realized that if he was going to mess with Eke, he also had to mess with me.
Lesson learned: Stand up for people who don't have a voice. This is how politicians get noticed and eventually get appointed into office. This is also how a leader gets followers. Today, Eke will tell you that I am like his personal hero for standing up for him that day. It just so happens that after that day, nobody ever messed with me and if they tried, I had ten to fifteen people ready to lay a smack down on my behalf.
Being picked on during the middle school years ultimately built my confidence in myself and what I was capable of. I never wanted others to go through the same thing. Just make sure that when you stand up for others who can't stand up for themselves, you always look after yourself too. Ask permission from adults to make sure it's alright to make this kind of stand.
About the Author:
Students at middle and high schools need to hear from a school assembly speaker who can talk to them about the consequences of school bullying and standing up for one another. A school bullying video can inspire schools to put an end to bullying on campus. Young people should feel safe when they attend their classes.
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