Makenzie and Susan Taylor
My niece Mackenzie Kerry wrote and gave the following speech. She is very insightful for a high school freshman and did a great job on it. In the picture, she is with Susan Taylor, the former editor of Essence Magazine. When I was about Mackenzie’s age, I started reading Essence monthly because guys should learn about cool women from cool women.
Mackenzie Kerry: Charlotte Cares Event
If I were a predictable person I would write a speech about the typical drugs, violence and sex. But you can tell us teens to quit these things all day long and it will go in one ear and out the other. So I had to dig deeper way down to the roots of these problems. What did I find? Better yet who did I find? Insecurity. Insecurity walks on stilts and wobbles wherever she goes. Her nails have been bitten down to stubs and her eyes are glued to the ground. Insecurity may be small and unconfident but don’t let that fool you. She can cast a very big shadow. She can get under your skin and mess your brain.
Insecurity is what has the youth of today messed up. Nobody wants to be that one kid who is bullied and destined to spend every lunch at that empty lunch table and their Friday nights at home alone. Everyone wants to fit in.
But you know there can’t be fitting in without peer pressure. Those two are best friends. Peer Pressure only knows one way and that is the way of the world and Peer Pressure will do anything to get you to conform to it. Peer Pressure has the mesmerizing eyes of a snake and a voice a smooth as silk. He will slither like a serpent and whisper right into your ear.
Peer Pressure is the one who will convince you to join gangs; the gangs that will provide you with protection, a family, a superior title and plenty of money. The same gangs that will get you injured, put your family in harm’s way, land you in prison. The same gangs that could end your life.
Peer Pressure will persuade you to try drugs, because it’s the cool thing to do. They let you escape reality for a period of time. The same drugs that can cause hangovers, depression, seizures, diseases and even death.
Speaking of depression, did you know peer pressure can do that too? Peer Pressure a jack of all trades can create violence, gossip and bullying. These are all things that cause you to feel stressed and isolated. Stress and isolation can lead to depression and depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse and yes even suicide.
Do you see the theme here? All of these things Peer Pressure does can lead to death. If all of the youth die out then there is no future because we kids are the world of tomorrow.
So how can we build self-confidence and blow insecurity and peer pressure out of the water?
Parents you all play a huge role in our future. Although we may not show it all the time we need you. There are many things you do to help us build self-confidence. Recognize our achievements. When we finally reach that goal or get an A on that test any accomplishment, big or small, show us that you care and that you are proud.
Secondly, believe in us. It is a lot easier for us to believe in ourselves if we know our parents believe in us. Let us know that you expect us to do everything to the best of our ability and make us believe that failure in not an option.
Thirdly be a good role model. Not just for your own child but for any child you come in contact with. There is a shortage of good role models in our communities. Us youth are always going to be looking for role models and if we can’t look to you then we turn to look up upon celebrities. And imagine where the world would be if all of the youth copied celebrities.
Yes it would be a mess.
Now youth we of course have to do our part. When we are trying to reach a goal, we should strive for an accomplishment rather than perfection. Nobody is perfect except God. When we do make mistakes we should think of them as lessons and opportunities to learn. We should be proud of ourselves for attempting and then let it go because if you hold on to those mistakes they will stay in your head and torment you which will not help build self-confidence at all.
Next, take pride in your opinions. If your friends engage in something that you know is wrong, don’t hesitate to say no. Do not lower yourself to their level. We are children of God and he would expect much more of us.
Lastly, stop thinking those negative thoughts. The dance teacher at my church taught me there is a way to compliment yourself without being arrogant. Replace those thoughts of “You are ugly, and dumb and you could never do that” with “You are beautiful, you are smart and you can do that”.
I used to be the shy kid in the corner who constantly worried about what people thought of me. But then something in me changed. Insecurity and Peer Pressure were thrown to the curb and something else took residence in my soul. An explorer committed to following her own direction. The one who exceeds everyone expectations and writes out stereotypes. The one that doesn’t need people to tell her she is pretty and isn’t hurt when people call her ugly because she is perfectly content with herself just the way she is. The one who is strong enough to resist being crushed and molded to fit into what the world thinks she should be. The one we walks down the street with her head up because she is proud to be a child a God. And her name is Confidence.
Project Logic Ga 
GREAT SPEECH Makenzie!!! I printed it out for my daughter to read because she is experiencing the same situation. Keep God first!!
MacKenzie, this is beautiful…thank you for sharing. Keep writing, you have a gift. Love you.
Cousin Sabreen
This is befitting for teens AND adults. I wish all women could realize their worth and not worry about what others feel or say about them. Even into adulthood, without that confidence women find themselves in non-productive relationships and careers, or just making bad choices all around. But definitely in our teen years is when we need to build and nurture that confidence. Well said, McKenzie!! Stay positive, stay focused, and be blessed!! Continue to be encouraged and encouraging.
A lovely written speech it really motivated me. I learnt that I must always keep my head held high as nothing and no-one can persuade me to do something wrong! I think teenagers that are entering high school should be aware of the peer pressure as there will be a lot of tough times and peer pressure will easily get in they way! They will not have self confidence and they won’t believe in their self that they can do it if they have self-confidence and they try! I think all the teenagers out there should read this as it will make a big change in their life as it did in mine! You deserve an A + for this well written speech…
thank u u inspired me to do my tropicana speech on peer pressure and i got third
best in my class but i did not make it to the school’s finals but someone in my class did
mackenzi keep up the good work your speech inspired me
I love mackenzie kerry u are AWSOME #muchlove please u have the talennt to write and international bestseller
thanks girl for rytin this speech abt peer pressure I cn evn do dis at skol bcz thy wnt us to do a speech I really thank u 4rom angelinah molefe
THAT WAS INCCREDIBLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FROM
Durban , South Africa.
Oh my goodness,
This speech is absolutely amazing. God bless you and your family. I love the end and the beginning of this speech. The way with your words!
As we say in Maori, Te Aroha (much love)