"This is the duty of our generation as we enter the twenty-first century -- solidarity with the weak, the persecuted, the lonely, the sick, and those in despair. It is expressed by the desire to give a noble and humanizing meaning to a community in which all members will define themselves not by their own identity but by that of others." - Elie Wiesel
At the age of 18 I decided it was right to step up to the system within my school, and speak out for justice. It was when I took the platform I realize I was fighting for justice alone, but the strength inside me came from the fact I knew the action I commenced in was right.
The following is how the speech was written in front of me, but because I was so passionate, I spoke it word for word from memory.
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Good morning, judges, teachers, and students. I’d first like to point out that what I am about to say is exercising my freedom of speech, whilst remaining constructive and precise.
As senior members of the school, we are obliged to ensure that a good impression is given to those lower down in the school. It is a fact.
However, although it is a good initiative to take, I personally feel that we are taking too much of this ‘responsibility’.
Today I am here to talk to you all about, how I feel, as a senior member of the school, that not enough is being done elsewhere.
I wish to speak to you on a few areas I believe are important to all those concerned: Zero tolerance within the school, serious issues within the school, and a third point that will be addressed when we come to it in this speech.
I hope that by the end of the speech, the evidence I present will convince you that the school needs to improve its structure.
Zero tolerance within the school: Quoted from the school’s student planner about hair:
‘For boys, it must be clean around the ears and off the collar. No grade 2 or below. They are expected to be clean-shaven.’
‘For girls, long hair must be kept tidy with a minimum of accessories.’
It then states ‘Please note that should you refuse to co-operate with the requests of staff concerning the state of your hair, strict sanctions such as suspension from school may apply.’
I believe it is good to be neat and tidy, and the school makes it clear here that if you do not comply, you will be suspended until you take action.
We have been told in an end of year assembly upper-six last year, that if we are to come back this year with shirts hanging out, untidy hair, we do not have a place in the school. I quote: ‘Go to the reception at the front of the school, and state you are not coming back.'
Perhaps when I show you some of the more serious issues within the school that have occurred, you may see the previous example as being ‘a bit of a joke’.
Although this point is quite short, I shall be making many references back to ‘Zero tolerance’ throughout this speech.
Serious issues within the school: What would you class as a serious issue? The previous example seems to be taken very seriously by the school, with the possible outcome of suspension being present.
Personally, I believe serious issues are not about the way you look, but about the way you are treated. “Bullying”, to me is a serious issue!
Looking back in the Senior Student Planner, I have found that is explains the different types of bullying, and what should be done if it occurs.
The rule on hair has a section highlighted in bold stating the possibility of suspension. However, in the section about bullying, the only word in bold is SHARED, which shows you how the issue is seen by the school.
Although it states (not in bold I must add), ‘Any pupil responsible for bullying will not be welcome at the school’, I can show you of examples of where bullying has occurred, and very little, if anything has been done to enforce the quotation I have just stated.
The following incident that I present to you has occurred within the school. Spitting in another pupil’s eye would be considered ‘physical bullying’. Allegedly, when reported, all that was said is that the bully of concern is in a family that contributes a lot to the school, and therefore no action will be taken to remove such a disgrace.
Yes, bullying is dealt with, in this school….Yes sometimes the victim does not want action to be taken due to the possibility of the bully seeking revenge…But ladies and gentlemen, this victim called for action, and nothing was done.
Remember the three C’s mentioned in the Student Planner: Courtesy, consideration, and common sense? Where is the courtesy and consideration of not taking any action for the victim? Where is the common sense in letting the bully get away with it?
Verbal bullying such as name calling has occurred many times, and some of which have been ‘serious issues’. Have those of concern been removed from the school? Have any been punished significantly? Of course not!
We are being told not to come back to the school if we are not prepared to dress tidily, yet when people have been caught with dealing illegal substances within the school, it is kept all quiet and suspension is given for just a couple of days.
Bullying like any evil, can start off small and then like a virus, multiplies over time into a much bigger and more serious problem; that is when it is too late to do anything. So when people report small problems, we would be told ‘see how it goes’ or ‘don’t make such a big deal out of it’.
In the time I have been here in the school since 1998, at least 2 pupils have left due to bullying. This is due to the fact they could take no more. So what impression are we giving here? That those being bullied should be forced to leave and not those who bully? I rest my case.
‘So where is this going?’ I hear some of you ask. What has the comment I made about us being obliged to display an example to a lower school got to do with these minor and serious issues?
Well, my third point is about reputation, which I believe is what the school is constructed of, and how reputation affects the minds of 6th formers.
Reputation and how 6th formers are affected: Now don’t get me wrong, this is a good school. It has great teaching and good facilities etc. We are currently 30th best school on the independent league table. That’s great! Achievements are being made. I agree that this speech is very critical, but that doesn’t mean I do not think the school is a good one
It is when you look at the great surroundings; lots and lots of potted plants being put up everywhere, newly laid grass, and the school cress sown onto the seats of gym equipment… you may ask like I do; are such material achievements important? It has been said that it is what’s on the inside that counts right?
The point of this speech has been to inform you that there are many issues within the school that are being neglected…Is this only because people from outside school looking in won’t see the large problems such a bullying. What they will see however, is scruffy shirts and less than conventional hairstyles. But on that matter, if you look back at the time when you visited the school and looked around, if you saw someone with long hair, a neat beard, or a collar undone, would you have chosen to go elsewhere? Obviously this is a ‘risk’ the school does not think it worth taking.
‘Laws are like spiders’ webs which, if anything small falls into them they ensnare it, but large things break through and escape.’
That is a quote from the philosopher Solon.
It is also an issue of, are we pawns in this reputation game? Are we being treated like adults?
In general the 6th form don’t feel like they are been treated like adults. We will be told, ‘Act like adults and we will treat you like adults.’ Well that hasn’t worked! So let’s do it this way, the way I think will work; ‘Treat us like adults and we will act like adults.’
This speech isn’t about how action should have been taken, it is about, how can we be expected to stick to petty zero tolerant rules, when much more serious issues are not even been dealt with fully. There are many examples of rules that have frustrated member of the 6th form, and the following are just a few:
Example ‘a’: Pupils much shave and teachers do not have to.
Example ‘b’: You cannot leave school premises during free period. We are told the reason for this is, this is a school, not a college….I’ll leave that for you to decide whether or not this is a ‘half decent reason’.
Example ‘c’: Smoking – Yes…the reason we are told not to smoke in school, is because it is a bad example to those lower down in the school. Well, those who take the time to walk out of the school grounds for a smoke are still punished! But taking the effort to leave the grounds is allowing both sides of the coin to be satisfied. The smokers have the ability to satisfy their addiction, while at the same time not
influencing lower members of the school. I mean surely there is no 1st year with a pair of binoculars looking out of the school!
This speech is not about hypocrisy. It is about equality. I am speaking on behalf of the 6th form that many have stated their frustrations with how the system works, and how the school’s priorities are not right.
Why do I stand here some of you ask? Well firstly you cannot get about 150 members of the 6th form on stage can you? And also, if you were to bring up any of these issues with members of the school council, can you honestly tell me you think it would be dealt with?
I represent the true voice of the 6th form, and I leave you with this, from the Greek philosopher Socrates:
‘What you cannot enforce, do not command.’
Thank you.
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