The texts below are speeches, poems, and satires written by 10th grade students, all on their chosen global issue – all anonymous. Enjoy!

Speeches

Accessible and Quality Education Worldwide

I’m here today, my classmates, to discuss with you a critical issue that impacts millions of people worldwide, which is the education crisis in our world. Since we are able to receive an education without worry, we might not give it much thought and are not concerned about it. However, there is a global crisis here that needs attention.

All people should have access to education as it is a human right, regardless of their finances, languages spoken, or where they live. Education is the path to realizing each person’s potential. 

However, in many parts of the world, education is not a priority. Millions of children are out of school, not getting the opportunity to learn and grow. According to UNESCO data, 58.4 million children of primary school age are not in school. Many of those who do get the chance to attend school face poor quality teaching, lack of resources, and unsafe environments. 

The children who do not receive education face lots of consequences. Without education, people are more likely to remain trapped in poverty and illiteracy. Without education, people are more vulnerable to disease, violence, and exploitation. Without education, people are less likely to participate in society, respect human rights, and contribute to the common good. 

That’s why we need to act now. We need to ensure that every child has access to quality education, no matter where they are. We need to support the efforts of NGOs like Save The Children fighting to make a difference. We also need to raise awareness and start taking action among the public, the media, and the policymakers. We need to make them understand that education is not a luxury but a necessity. We need to make them see that education is not a charity but a right. 

Education is the most powerful tool we have to change the world for the better. Let us use it wisely and generously. Let us make sure that no one is left behind. Let us make quality education accessible to everyone, everywhere. Thank you.

Police brutality in the United States 

In 1962, Malcolm X spoke on police brutality, and now I stand before you 62 years later, still addressing this topic. We had 62 years to change our ways, and yet we chose to remain ignorant and docile, while so many died in silence till a man yelled out, “I can’t breathe”. It pains me that an innocent man had to die; it pains me that that is what took, the price of a change and the cost of a movement. George Floyd died four years ago at the hand of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, and yet it took a year to get his killer incarcerated. Alas, George Floyd wasn’t the first one to be killed or abused at the hands of our “Protectors” He wasn’t even the first one to scream. He was only one of the few who were heard.

The first time the words “Police brutality” were used was in 1872 when a civilian who was under arrest was beaten at the Harrison Street Police Station and was reported by the Chicago Tribune. And there is a clear pattern in all of the cases. The United States is made of a lot of people and Black people make up 13% of the population and they are 27% of the people who are killed by police officers, and 35% of the people in unarmed killings by police officers. Police brutality is a real issue not just in the United States. It can happen anywhere, And to stop it, we must understand it. 

Police brutality is when people who work to enforce the law, abuse their power and stature on the field to harm criminals or innocent civilians. But my question is why it happens. There have been many cases of police brutality over the years and these attacks often seem to land on the black community, and I believe this is because of the history of America. In the past, black people were sold and used as slaves; they were maltreated and abused by their masters and yet instead of shaming the people who owned slaves, we built statues of them and placed their faces on mountains which were stolen from native tribes. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both heroes of America, owned slaves. Because of those actions these two men and many more, have contributed to the besmirching of the black community. I am not overreacting, nor am I being untrue. Slavery and police brutality go hand in hand, for when you say that you own something you can do as you please with it and you determine its value; which is exactly what happened to the slaves in America, they were stripped of their humanity and they were reduced to objects. And now our actions are taking effect because that is how our “protectors” see them, as objects, and destroying and breaking an object which, in your opinion, has lost its value is meaningless, but it means everything. And you won’t know that it means everything till you experience the fear that the black people of this nation live in, the fear that a mother feels when her child is out late, the fear you feel when you walk down the streets, this is not what they are supposed to feel. If America is the land of freedom then who does that courtesy extend to? Black people are human, they are alive, and they deserve to live, so why treat them like objects? Why treat them like animals and prisoners? I urge you all to take action, to help the people who are being attacked by the police. We can’t be the United States without unity.

Thank you for your time, God save America.

-Anonymous

Gender Equality

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am glad to have this opportunity to talk about Gender Equality. The topic of Gender and related concerns are largely discussed and continue to be talked about around the world. It is a topic of global concern and is also the fifth Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, primarily focusing on creating awareness and achieving gender equality, rights, and opportunities for males and females despite their biological differences. I hope by the end of this speech, you will all be persuaded to protect and promote human rights, particularly gender inequality.

Globally, the world average of women in the workforce in 2022 was at 39.49%, as per the ‘Qualtrics’ research. This showcases biases that policies by organizations and gender preferences could have occasioned. The dream of perfect equality is not far-fetched. Picture a world where employment opportunities are not tied to one’s gender. We need to embrace all genders and share opportunities available equally between genders in all sectors. Emma Watson, a British actor and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN, famously insinuated on September 20, 2014, that yes, equality would be a far-fetched dream if only 30% of those who are given opportunities were women. She drew this analogy from Hilary Clinton’s speech in Beijing on empowering women, where the audience was made of 70% males, even though it was a conference largely addressing the plight of women. This strongly points out the biases deeply rooted in our policies and opportunities shared between the genders.

Furthermore, the gender pay gap in many workplaces persists globally. Recent statistics as per the commonslibrary.parliament.uk reveals that, on average, women earn about 82% of what their male counterparts earn. This disparity is even more pronounced for women of color, as per forbes.com, with Black women earning 63% and Latina women earning 55% of what white men earn. These percentages underscore the urgent need for help. Closing the gender pay gap is not only a good imperative but also a strategic move towards a more equitable and economically thriving society where talent is acknowledged and rewarded, regardless of gender.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is why I strongly believe that with conviction, we can achieve a more equitable society if we all decide to take the initiative. Career discrimination has been another serious concern that has negatively affected the professional dreams of people from different genders. Many people around the world have wished to pursue a certain career, but reconsidered it just because it was male or female-dominated. For example, medicine and nursing have been dominated by males and females, respectively, it is said so? Even though we have started to close this gap, there is still a need to extend it to other careers like child care, automotive mechanics, and firefighting, just to mention a few. I encourage you to go beyond stereotypes! Help create a diverse and inclusive workplace by making a place where everyone’s unique contributions are valued. In conclusion, it is obvious that gender discrimination remains a huge concern in our society, affecting the full potential of individuals. Therefore, we must proceed to challenge and destroy stereotypes, biases, and unjust policies that promote inequality. We must work toward a future where everybody is valued and has equal opportunities irrespective of gender. By promoting a culture of respect, understanding, and empowerment, we can model a more equitable society for today and the future. Let us stand together to promote equality and justice for all. Thank you.

-Anonymous

Inequality That Comes With Global Warming

Dear friends, activists and residents of this planet,

I have come here today not to place blame but to tell a story. Global warming is like a fire, devouring and indiscriminate, but the burdens of it are unequal. While the leaders of our countries are busy negotiating, persuading, and making deals, the global temperature is rising daily and minute by minute. It is a story of inequality as well as unpredictability. As Sir David Attenborough so eloquently puts it, “Today those who’ve done the least to cause this problem are being the hardest hit. Ultimately all of us will feel the impact, some of which are now unavoidable.“ 

Let me tell a story, one that starts in Madagascar. A country so biodiverse that more than 90% of its wildlife can not be found anywhere else on earth. A country so beautiful with its lush rainforests and mountainous plateau. A country where the majority of its land is used for agriculture. But Madagascar is also a country where more than 70% of the population is living under the poverty line. Madagascar is also a country with very little infrastructure, with only 11% of its roads being paved. Madagascar is also a country with many cyclones, floods and the worst drought seen in 40 years. Madagascar is also a country that is extremely vulnerable because of all of these reasons. But it is the first country going through the world’s first-ever climate change famine.

There is also another side to this story, which is the European Union—giving money to African countries to be used to reduce carbon emissions and to be used as aid. But my question is, why? Why would African countries need money to reduce their carbon emissions when they emit less CO2 than countries in the EU? Why would African countries need to reduce their carbon emissions when countries in the EU are opening up oil and coal lines? My question is, why? On average, in Africa, 1 ton of CO2 is emitted per person in one year. Yet, in Europe, 7.1 tons of CO2 are emitted per person, more than seven times as much as people in Africa. 

Stop for a moment. Just consider what I am about to say next. Why are African countries suffering the most and contributing the least to climate change? Why are European and more wealthy countries harming the environment and giving money to African countries to offset their carbon emissions? To many, the answer is different depending on where you come from. But I would like you to take something from this speech. The message is that we should all be doing our part to reduce carbon emissions and help the people suffering from climate change. 

Thank you.

-Anonymous

Plastic Pollution

-Anonymous

Other Writings

“Don’t Get Sick!”

Around half of the world’s population is bankrupt due to healthcare bills they can’t pay. But hey, it’s not the hospital’s fault they got sick. If anything, people should be more careful to avoid sickness. Oh? People with diabetes are dying from rationing their insulin? Well, why are they rationing it? That’s stupid and extremely fatal, in some cases leading to death since they go into diabetic ketoacidosis 24-48 hours after going without their proper dose of insulin. Why would they speed up their inevitable death? Oh, they’re not insured and can’t afford more insulin. That’s their problem for not getting a proper job. Also, it’s not expensive as long as you have a steady income and can set aside around…1000 dollars per month. Of course, if you have type 1 diabetes, you will never be cured, so that would have to be your economic plan for the rest of your life. If you can’t afford it, then maybe you shouldn’t have gotten diabetes! 

And you need an inhaler because of asthma, but you can’t afford it? Maybe you should just breathe less! 

Your father has Alzheimer’s, and you need a way to pay 20,000 dollars annually but don’t have the money? Maybe your dad should learn how to use his brain correctly!  

Don’t get sick if you can’t afford it!

Statistics

• On average, it costs 2-4 dollars to produce one vial of insulin, while the cost (uninsured) is above 300 dollars/vial. If you are type 1 diabetic, you need 2-3 vials per month for the rest of your life.  
• 80% of the 420 million diabetic people live in middle and low-income countries and have trouble accessing insulin. Half the people with diabetes can’t afford it (WHO).
• 1.6 million people die of diabetic-related causes each year (WHO). 
• 1/3 of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s are uninsured and have to find ways to pay (around) 20,000 dollars annually from their pockets. 
• Medication aid for Alzheimer’s usually only covers 2-3 drugs, while most patients are prescribed 10 or 11. A woman in Texas almost died from cardiac arrest after choosing to take her Alzheimer’s pills over blood pressure-balancing drugs since she couldn’t afford them.

My Dreams, My Nightmares

I place your face in my palms 

My hands are shaking 

My eyes are blurred

I tell you I miss you

You tell me you can’t 

I say goodbye 

I whisper the thoughts past my teeth 

My heart breaks beneath my hands 

You take me by the hand and pull me in 

You hug me goodbye 

I tell you I can’t do it 

I can’t live without you 

I sob into your shoulder

I can’t do it 

I can’t do it 

I can’t do it 

I tell you, I’m sorry 

Our last conversation was an argument 

Over a boy who wouldn’t even be in my life months later 

I tell you I miss you

You don’t say a thing back 

Your mouth is stitched shut 

A faded bear on my floor 

Your edges blend 

And your eyes glass over 

Your touch is a breeze on a summer morning 

Your hands are pale 

I can see through your heart 

You tell me you’re sorry 

There’s nothing I can do 

I crumple into the ground 

There has to be something 

I’ve never believed in god 

But I sit there begging for him to take me instead 

I can’t live like this 

I can’t do it 

My body caves, and my heart gives out 

Tears stream down my face 

blood from my mouth 

My tongue is gone 

I can’t get the words out 

I can’t tell you I love you

I’m drowning in my own blood 

Trying to tell you I love you 

I hand you my broken, pathetic heart instead

I won’t need it anyway

I won’t love like this ever again 

I swear by it 

I wake up a broken, crumpled mess 

Tears stain my pillow 

My tongue sits in my mouth

Dry and swollen 

My heart is still beating 

It’s been a year,

And every night, you appear before me 

Like some persistent ghost 

I have only minutes before I get up for school 

But I sit in my bed with my head in my hands 

Wondering why you left me 

On the way to school, I fantasize about you appearing before me 

In a crowd of people 

I imagine your face 

Your smile 

I imagine the way I would run to you

How we would fall to the ground 

A mess of tears and laughter 

But you don’t 

I walk through school a ghost of the person I was when you were alive 

I wait anxiously for the sleep that leaves me in tears 

Because it means I can hear you, see you again, 

I tell myself you would be proud of me 

Proud that I made it so far without you

You would take me by the hand and promise me over and over that it was going to be okay.

Cup the tears from my face 

The sadness from my heart 

It gets better 

My mind whispers when the dreams fade 

It gets better 

I tell myself on nights when I’m too tired to dream 

But I wake with my heart heavy 

And my eyes sad 

And you’re still there every night 

I place your face between my palms 

My hands still shake 

I tell you I miss you 

You tell me you can’t 

You tell me you’re happy 

And who am I to argue with that? 

What sane-minded person would dispute that? 

What should I say? 

I don’t care?

Come back to me anyway?

I still miss you?

No 

Those are the words of a snake 

The words of a python curling its tail into anger 

Selfishness 

Hatred 

I am not that person anymore 

I tell myself this over and over

I am different 

I can appreciate that you are happier 

Without me 

So why then

do I stand before you 

Why do I hand you my heart over and over 

Night by night 

Why does my voice break with the pressure 

My heart shattering 

A python worsening its grip 

Why do I take your face in my palms 

And beg you to come back to me? 

I’m happy for you

Happy that you’re finally happy 

I tell myself this 

Over and over and over

Until the blades rust against my skin 

And rivers dry against white sand 

I tell myself this when you appear before me in my nightmares 

Holding my body in your pale arms 

Gathering blood by the bucketful 

Pouring it back into me 

Why do I do this to myself 

Why don’t I use coping mechanisms 

Stop dreaming of you

Move on 

I sit in that office 

With a therapist i’ve only known for months 

She runs these questions through me like they’re nothing more than that 

She tells me to write my dreams down 

To regulate when the bad and good episodes are 

Spill my secrets to the half-forgotten gray journal I still own 

I can’t bear to tell her I can’t write anymore 

That my mind goes blank whenever I bring pen to paper 

I haven’t been able to write in 698 days 

I can’t bear to admit that my ability to write died with my best friend 

Instead, I tell her I’ve changed career paths 

I don’t want to be a journalist anymore 

I don’t want to write with feeling 

I don’t want to be personally connected to my writing anymore 

It’s not worth the risk 

She asks me why 

I tell her there’s no point writing about the people you care about 

If they’re just going to die 

I’m angry for months afterwards 

I’ll always be angry 

I kick and scream 

I yell at anyone who even dares to come as close to me as you did 

I push them all away 

It’s not worth it anymore 

I repeat it over and over 

That no friendship is worth it if I lost the only one I had adored so completely 

Six months pass by, and a year shortly after 

I sink myself deeper and deeper into your death 

My fault, my fault, my fault, my fault 

The words stain themselves onto my white shirt 

They burn themselves into my thighs 

I can’t bear it 

I tell people 

I pour the news into the hearts of anyone who’ll listen 

I tell them the same thing 

She.

Died. 

it’s my fault. 

But I snap shut 

A clam with no sense 

As soon as they linger for details 

What was she like 

How old was she 

Why did she do it 

No 

I keep those details clutched to my non-existent heart 

I hold them like a dying soldier holds the last letter from his wife 

I gather them up and stuff them in the corners of my brain 

An overflowing box of childhood toys 

I can’t 

I won’t share 

Those memories are mine alone 

Not yours, not hers 

Not his, not theirs 

Every night, I coax one detail from its place 

The way her eyes shined 

The schools we looked at for when I moved near 

I coax them out slowly 

Patiently 

I savor them the way an alcoholic savors his last drink 

A smoker his last cig 

Then, I place them back in their corner 

And reminisce on tiny details for the remainder of time 

I’m not going to tell you I’ll ever be over it 

I’m not going to sit here and pretend that my life is better now

Two years have inched their way past 

And yet, I still crave your touch 

I’m not going to lie to your face 

I’m better yes 

I don’t cry as much 

I’ve been clean for 232 days 

But I still sit there day after day 

Dreading and adoring the times you appear in my brain 

My heart 

I’m not over it 

I hate myself for letting you go 

Even more for living after it 

I hate that I’m writing again 

That I can spill words to paper again 

I hate that I can breathe 

I hate that my brain is moving on 

Leaving my heart to stutter behind 

I hate that some days i’m okay 

Some Days I forget 

Hate isn’t too strong 

Not in this case 

I place your face in my palms 

And I tell you I love you 

One last time 

I beg you to stay,

For the last time

My dreams fade 

And I know you won’t appear before me again 

I know I’m letting go 

And I hate myself a hundred times more for it 

But nonetheless, I wake,

My heart lightening day by day 

And the pain in my head easing 

I wake 

With a fraction of a smile on my face

I hold the hearts of my friends 

And promise myself over and over I won’t leave like that 

I can’t 

I wake

With my fingers bitter 

And scars aching

I wake with the remainder of her 

Carved into my arms

I wake with the knowledge 

That she is happy 

And I am allowed to be happy 

Even if every part of my body fights against it 

Even if I feel her fading 

A childhood memory 

A forgotten bear

I wake with the knowledge 

That I will love you forever 

That I will never stop talking about suicide awareness 

That I will never let your death fade from my mind 

That I will fight every day to show everyone 

Including myself 

That life is worth living