Rachel+D.+H’s+Final+AmEx+2015+Speech


 * Afraid of Fear **

I have a dream. You have a dream. We all have dreams, but some people are so afraid of taking the steps towards their dreams for many different reasons. I want to grow up in the world and I want my kids to live in a world where dreams do come true because people aren't AFRAID to take a stand and try something new. Hi my name is Rachel and I have a passion for music and a dream of being a singer. But I am terrified of people. I am afraid of what people will think of me. Of the way I look of, the way I dress, of the way I act. In fact standing up here right now is terrifying. I am afraid of everyone in this room, except for Mrs. Kindred. All the worst possible things any of you could be thinking is running through my mind. Example. Why is she wearing a dress. That color is ugly on her. Oh my god her speech is so boring. Since I was little I've always been afraid of what people will think of me. That is what stopped me from singing in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade talent shows. Fear. Every year I would practice a different song and every year I would fail to audition. I let that fear build up inside of me and every year it was easier and easier for me to not audition. It was easier for me to step back and hide in the shadows. To let someone else take the stage. Today we live in a world where people hide behind computer screens And the screens of their phones and they type nasty comments, hurtful things that cause a lot of people to stop following their dreams. To stop following their hearts. To stop expressing themselves. Today we have bullies, children who say hurtful things to that person in person. People who start rumors. This causes kids to skip school, afraid of what will happen that day. To hurt themselves physically, only to bring more hurtful words upon themselves when peie see the cuts. In some cases, it causes death. Yes this is a more extreme action, but it happens. Now let's talk about something recent. Caitlin Jenner. Why didn't Bruce Jenner become Caitlin sooner? Why was he forced to hide Caitlin from his family. Why did he have to stay up late to dress as a girl and be himself while his family slept? And why did he feel the need to "run from her, literally." Because of Fear. Why is it that people feel the need to pretend and be someone they aren't? Whether it be gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender. Why do they feel the need to hide themselves from others? Because the are afraid. They are afraid of what their friends will think. Of what their parents will think. Of what society will think. Why are some people so mean to them? Why do they not accept them? Because they are afraid of change. They are afraid of anything that is different from how they grew up, of what they believe in. Fear is what runs this world, fear is what keeps our world from moving forward. People are afraid to make mistakes. Are afraid to put themselves out there. Why? To be honest I don't know why. For me? I'm afraid of what people will think of me, of what they will think of my decisions. But why? Why do I care? Why does it matter if someone thinks I'm a good singer or a bad singer. If I'm pretty or ugly, all of it is a matter of opinion. So why does it bother me? Why do I say I will do something and then not, in fear of what people's reactions will be? I can't answer those questions. Maybe it's because I grew up in a world of fear. Maybe it's because what people think of me is more important than what I think of myself? Maybe, I'm just a coward. I'm not sure. But I am sure of the type of world I want to live in. I want to live in a world free of fear, in a world where you feel safe in expressing themselves for who they truly are. And not see subtweets about them on twitter that night. i want to live in a world where you can "say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly, I want to see you be brave"


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