The Fine Brothers’ YouTube videos usually aim for fun topics like grandparents reacting to viral videos and kids reacting to outdated technology. Sometimes, though, the content is more serious, like this video of American teenagers reacting to videos of Malala Yousafzai.
Yousafzai, a 17-year old Pakistani human rights advocate, was almost killed in 2012 when a Taliban gunman shot her three times for promoting the education of girls in her country. She recently won the Nobel Peace Prize for advocacy work. At first, Yousafzai’s story shocks these young people, but that shock soon gives way to inspiration. In the videos that they watch, Yousafzai describes herself as a normal teenager, but most of these American high school students are not so sure. How does she find the strength and courage to carry on?
“We need so many more people like her,” said one girl. “To say the things she’s saying, because it hits people like me! Her amount of courageousness carries over, to make me feel like I could be that courageous.”
Other teenagers found themselves feeling more grateful for their education. They were suddenly aware that they were lucky to be safe at their schools.
After they discussed Yousafzai’s experiences, the conversation turned to the way Islam is portrayed in the American media, including the prejudice that Muslim Americans face in their daily lives.
After watching this video, you won’t just feel inspired by Yousafzai; you may also be impressed by the teenagers who took something away from her struggle. The YouTube generation is nowhere near as thoughtless and superficial as many adults seem to think.
Photo via TheFineBros/YouTube