5th Place Winner, 2017 National Public Speaking Competition, Serena Kaur, Tanjong Katong Girls'

Summary

In this powerful speech, Serena Jacqueline Car addresses the pervasive issue of bullying in schools, highlighting that Singapore ranks third globally in reported cases. She challenges the misconception that bullies can be identified by appearance, emphasizing that anyone—even the seemingly kind or popular—can harm others. Serena explores the concept of the 'inner bully,' the hidden mean streak in all of us that can manifest in teasing, public humiliation, or cyberbullying. She urges self-awareness, empathy, and moral responsibility, reminding us that standing up to our inner bully and considering the impact of our actions can help create a kinder, more respectful society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bullying can come in many forms, including verbal insults and public humiliation.
• 😀 Singapore is ranked third globally for the highest number of school bullying cases, despite being known for its tough school discipline systems.
• 😀 Bullying is often not obvious in its perpetrators; even friendly or seemingly innocent people can be bullies.
• 😀 Our society needs to recognize the 'inner bully' within all of us, as we all have a potential to belittle others or harm them emotionally.
• 😀 Appearance or behavior does not determine whether someone is a bully; it's their actions towards others that define them.
• 😀 Bullying can take many forms beyond schoolyards, including online through cyberbullying on social media.
• 😀 Cyberbullies often hide behind fake identities, making it easier for malicious behavior to be masked and propagated.
• 😀 Being insensitive or publicly humiliating someone through things like unflattering pictures or online comments is a form of bullying.
• 😀 To stop bullying, we need to be more mindful of our actions and how they affect others, considering the consequences and the feelings of the victim.
• 😀 Fighting the inner bully within requires empathy—putting ourselves in the shoes of the victim and checking our motives before acting.
• 😀 A key message is that putting others down doesn’t elevate us; instead, we should build each other up without attempting to shine by dimming someone else’s light.

Q & A

What is the central topic of the script?

The central topic of the script is bullying, both in schools and in the online world, and how everyone has an 'inner bully' they need to recognize and combat.

What is the significance of Singapore being ranked third in the world for school bullying cases?

The significance highlights a disconnect between the perceived safety of Singapore's schools and the actual prevalence of bullying. It suggests that bullying is underreported and not always addressed effectively.

What role does appearance play in identifying a bully, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that bullying cannot be judged based on someone's appearance. A person may look like a typical 'bully' but may not engage in bullying behavior. It's the actions that define whether someone is a bully or not.

What is the core message the speaker conveys about how bullying manifests in society?

The speaker argues that bullying is often invisible because those who are bullies may appear innocent or even friendly. The message stresses the importance of recognizing harmful behavior regardless of how it is masked.

Why does the speaker mention that there is an 'inner bully' in all of us?

The speaker believes that everyone has a potential to act in harmful ways, such as belittling or humiliating others, and it’s important to acknowledge this 'inner bully' to prevent it from manifesting in harmful actions.

How does the speaker suggest we can eliminate bullying in society?

The speaker suggests that we can eliminate bullying by recognizing our own harmful motives, considering the consequences of our actions, and putting ourselves in the shoes of the victim before acting.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate how bullying can be disguised?

The speaker mentions that a friendly, innocent-looking person, like a prefect, could secretly be a bully, highlighting that bullying is not always visible and can often go unnoticed.

How has social media contributed to the problem of bullying, according to the speaker?

Social media has made it easier to bully others anonymously. People can hide behind fake identities or post rude comments and hurtful images without facing the consequences, giving rise to cyberbullying.

What does the phrase 'blowing out someone else's candle does not make your shine brighter' mean in the context of this speech?

This phrase means that belittling or humiliating others doesn't make you better or more successful. It’s a metaphor for the harmful act of bullying, suggesting that one’s success should not come at the expense of others.

What action does the speaker encourage the audience to take regarding their 'inner bullies'?

The speaker encourages the audience to recognize and stand up to their inner bullies by checking their motives, thinking about the consequences of their actions, and practicing empathy towards others.