People in society often think of the stereotypical lazy teen portrayed by the media that is selfish and rude, but many people end up overlooking the extraordinary teens that have made a major impact in society. Not all teens are lazy, selfish, and rude and there are several teens that are standing up and campaigning for a change in society. There are many inspirational teens in the world that are going against what is wrong and inspiring others to do the same. Many people do not look past the media’s interpretation of the teen and they miss the amazing teens that are impacting society today with a passion for change.
Malala Yousafzai is an inspirational sixteen year-old from Mingora, Pakistan that has risen above the stereotypical teen and has made an impact in society. She was shot in the head by the Taliban because of her campaigning for allowing girls to have education in Pakistan. In a public appearance, she spoke about her feelings about the shooting when she said, “They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed” (Johnston, “Malala Yousafzai: Being Shot by Taliban Made Me Stronger – NBC News”). Malala is a very ambitious teenager that follows her beliefs and lets nothing get in the way of what she thinks is right. She has inspired many people and girls and showed others that teens are not like there stereotypes when she said, “Terrorists thought that they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this – weakness, fear and hopelessness died, strength, power and courage was born” (Johnston, “Malala Yousafzai: Being Shot by Taliban Made Me Stronger – NBC News”). Despite the tragic event of her shooting, she is not letting this stop her from fighting for an education. She is not only fighting for herself, but she is fighting for everyone wanting an education in Pakistan. Thousands of people have been killed trying to make a change and she was almost killed. She is an outstanding person that has taken a great risk to speak her beliefs. She is also a very mature teenager that has learned forgiveness from her parents and she does not think revenge is necessary for what has been done to her. Malala’s dream of education will soon come true by 2015 by the Youth Assembly. Many adults in society fail to see the courageous, brave, and resilient teens that are out in the world. Many adults do not look past the media and fail to see the truth about teens. The media crowds the judgments and perceptions of teens. The media fails to display how extraordinary teens are and how some teens have made a major impact in society. Not all teens are stereotypical and some are amazing and have shown no fear in standing up for their beliefs. Malala is one of the several teens that have proven the teenage stereotype of lazy wrong and is an extremely brave, mature person that is determined to make the wrong in the world right.
Works Cited:
ABC News. “Diane Sawyer Sits Down With the Inspirational Malala Yousafzai.” YouTube.
YouTube, 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 May 2014.
Johnston, Ian. “Malala Yousafzai: Being Shot by Taliban Made Me Stronger – NBC News.”
NBC News. NBC News, 12 July 2013. Web. 15 May 2014.
ABC News. “Diane Sawyer Sits Down With the Inspirational Malala Yousafzai.” YouTube.
YouTube, 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 May 2014.
Johnston, Ian. “Malala Yousafzai: Being Shot by Taliban Made Me Stronger – NBC News.”
NBC News. NBC News, 12 July 2013. Web. 15 May 2014.