Devin+B’s+Final+AmEx+Speech+2016


 * Be Different **

When I first received this assignment I thought a lot about the future I want to live in. I tried to narrow it down to just one big change but then I realized that I didn't want to change one big thing I wanted to change several small things instead.

The future world I want to grow old in is one where you don't have to worry about the future with college applications and the SAT and ACT. One where we have BBQs not DBQs. One where we aren't slaves to the college board. A future that doesn't involve thinking about the future but focusing on being 16 while I'm 16. Rather than being 16 and thinking about how I want to spend the next 70 years of my life.

One where sports teams are sacred and the internet doesn't call your favorite basketball team choklahoma and where a 3-1 series lead means the finals are a given. One where Steph Curry doesn't exist. One where Carson Palmer doesn't throw 4 interceptions costing your favorite football team the game.

One where not being able to ride a bike doesn't get you ridiculed and adult tricycles are the norm. Where your six year old cousin doesn't roast you because he can ride a bike and you can't. Where motorcycles aren't driven by madmen swerving in and out of lanes. One where our beloved Weldele isn't risking his life riding to school everyday.

A world where clothing doesn't matter, where casual Friday is everyday. Where you can wear basketball shorts and a t-shirt to a business meeting. Where men can wear short shorts and women can wear whatever they want because we don't have to dress uncomfortably in order to impress anyone else. Where I don't have to wear jeans and a polo shirt in order to look presentable when giving a speech.

A world where you can order a kids meal and the lady doesn't look at you like, what are you six? One where top ramen and toppers pizza are considered delicacies. Where the four major food groups include things like Hot Cheetohs, Gogurts, and Rice Crispy Treats. One where being a grown man doesn't mean you can't order your burger plain. Where your mom doesn't try to get you to eat your vegetables.

One where just because you don't want to go somewhere or do something doesn't make you antisocial. One where six close friends is more important than 500 followers. One where not wanting to go to parties doesn't make you weird, where it's ok to stay home and play board games with your family instead. One where the pressure of going to a school dance doesn't exist.

One where public speaking doesn't exist. Where teachers don't make you face your fears in front of the whole class. One where Socrates never created socratics making me share my opinions. One where just because you have thoughts talking with your seat partners doesn't mean you have thoughts speaking with the class. One where Fitz doesn't try to make you do your Weldele impression in front of everyone. One where the quality of my words are more important than the quantity.

The world I want to grow old in is one where being different doesn't make you weird, one where being different doesn't make you bad, it makes you you.