(ESL) Adora Svitak #1 (CAPTIONS & SUBTITLES)

TRANSCRIPT
ADORA SVITAK #1 (2:31)

1. Now, I want to start with a question: When was the last time you were called childish?

2. For kids like me, being called childish can be a frequent occurrence.

3. Every time we make irrational demands, exhibit irresponsible behavior or display any other signs of being normal American citizens, we are called childish. Which really bothers me.

4. After all, take a look at these events: Imperialism and colonization, world wars, George W. Bush. Ask yourself, who's responsible? Adults.

5. Now, what have kids done? Well, Anne Frank touched millions with her powerful account of the Holocaust, Ruby Bridges helped to end segregation in the United States, and, most recently, Charlie Simpson helped to raise 120,000 pounds for Haiti on his little bike.

6. So, as you can see evidenced by such examples, age has absolutely nothing to do with it.

7. The traits the word childish addresses are seen so often in adults that we should abolish this age-discriminatory word when it comes to criticizing behavior associated with irresponsibility and irrational thinking.

8. (Applause)

9. Thank you.

10. Then again, who's to say that certain types of irrational thinking aren't exactly what the world needs?

11. Maybe you've had grand plans before but stopped yourself, thinking, "That's impossible," or, "That costs too much," or, "That won't benefit me."

12. For better or worse, we kids aren't hampered as much when it comes to thinking about reasons why not to do things. Kids can be full of inspiring aspirations and hopeful thinking.

13. Like my wish that no one went hungry or that everything were a free kind of utopia.

14. How many of you still dream like that and believe in the possibilities? Sometimes a knowledge of history and the past failures of utopian ideals can be a burden because you know that if everything were free, then the food stocks would become depleted and scarce and lead to chaos.

15. On the other hand, we kids still dream about perfection. And that's a good thing because in order to make anything a reality, you have to dream about it first.