The Age of Breaking Social Norms | Shana Xia | TEDxAmericanHeritageSchool

Something Shana Xia gets asked a lot is, “You wanna be a doctor, right?” Not “What do you wanna be?” or “What are you interested in?” To many, it’s just a question worth correcting. But to Shana, it feels like she is being placed in a box and has to work extra hard to break out of that box. Stereotypes aren’t justifications for your ignorance-they’re generalizations. However, for many, things like gender or racial stereotypes are societal norms. In America, we can still see the lasting effects of racism, homophobia, and other prejudicial views, like sexism too, but we can also see increasing awareness on these issues and the movement towards equality. In her talk, Shana addresses this and how change in society is pushed for through activism and the use of social media. Asians don’t have to be doctors. Boys can wear makeup too. Women aren’t inferior to men. We’re living in an age where these are our social norms now; not placing limitations on people, but taking those limitations away. Shana is the secretary of American Heritage’s Key Club branch, a lieutenant in the Pre-Law Society, and is part of the fundraising committee for the AHS Climate Change club. Shana is also a member of the National English Honor Society, participates in Mock Trial and Varsity Swimming, and is a state winner for piano. Over the summer, Shana was an intern at the Legal Aid Service of Broward County, where she worked with the leading attorney in the juvenile law sector. She is interested in studying social sciences and the performing arts. Shana wants to give a TED Talk because it gives her the opportunity to speak about something she’s passionate about and share her ideas with a larger crowd. She wants to be an inspiration for change in society and social norms and sees this as a stepping-stone toward change for the better. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@suezhang1163]

You’re so brave to speak out and share your ideas, what an amazing speech!

[@UdodaTube]

Our sky is not even blue. It’s transparent.

[@untitledtitle_9228]

Water

[@cchimoy]

I don't really like this idea, since she says is good for people which is not critic, just to follow the right group...

[@ZorathekidLZ]

lmao this girl went to my school

[@cygnuscraft9544]

Lol

[@Dizeliun]

first?