If you’re like me, then you’ve probably noticed that there seems to be a pretty clear difference between Millennials and Generation Z: No matter what crap is thrown their way, Gen Z has proven that they won’t go down without a fight.
This isn’t meant to bash Millennials in any way though.
Rather, this is to point out how attitudes of confidence, self-preservation, and societal beliefs seem to evolve as generations age. Whether it’s tackling climate change, gun laws, or integrating scathing phrases like “Okay Boomer” into our cultural consciousness, the kids of Generation Z dominate news cycles with superhero-Esque finesse.
I’m from the generation that ate Tide Pods guys. Tide Pods.
One Junior at LaPorte High School in Indiana recently proved that he isn’t afraid to fight for what he believes in—literally.
Since coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community in seventh grade, Jordan Steffy has faced a seemingly endless barrage of hate and bullying from his peers.
One recent homophobic Snapchat post from a fellow classmate was the last straw.
“He made an anti-gay post with a picture of me on it saying how he hated gays and a bunch of throwing up emojis all over it,” Steffy explained to Insider , “I walked up to him and said ‘Why did you post this?’ He said ‘It was just a post.'”
The boy began to use slurs and goad Steffy on.
“He was like ‘What are you going to do about it, f****t?’ And that’s when I was like ‘No, I’m not doing this.'”
That’s when another student took out their phone and started filming the altercation.
“Well, it’s not just a post. It’s a post about me, saying how you dislike who I am, and I don’t appreciate that.”
“He went on to say ‘Okay, but what are you going to do about it?'” Steffy continued, “I said ‘I’m not going to deal with this, this is the last time I’m called anything.'”
The video shows the two boys push one another before Steffy hits the other student.
“I just got sick of it,” Steffy said, “It’s crazy the amount of hatred I received just for liking who I like and being me.”
Since the video was posted to Twitter , it has garnered over 2.1 Million views.
Thousands of Twitter users have shown their support for Steffy.
“When my junior high bully pushed me against the wall early in my freshman year of high school, I saw red and pushed back – not nearly as effective as you!” one person writes.
“And he never bothered me again.”
“I hope the word gets out to give you your space,” the Twitter user continued, “I wish I had your guts 40 years ago!”
“Sending love your way, ” another person writes, “Standing up for ourselves is the hardest thing, sorry you had to endure this.”
Some people even brought up a fair point about how Steffy’s classmates did nothing to defend him.
“I stand with you,” one user writes, “Every single person sitting there in complacency in that classroom should be ASHAMED of themselves.”
Unfortunately, the school administration didn’t show the same support.
“It seemed like I was getting in more trouble for reporting it than I was if I didn’t say anything at all,” says Steffy, who was consequently suspended and barred from a school dance for the fight.
“It was doing me more harm than it was good.”
The high school has yet to comment on the video, nor their subsequent punishment of Steffy.
Watch the viral video for yourself.
Was this an important act of bravery, or just more needless violence? Though Steffy regrets his actions, he doesn’t regret standing up for what he believes in:
“If I could take it back, personally, I would,” he said, “But I’m glad I stood up for myself. If you were in my shoes, you’d probably get sick of it and you’d want to stand up for yourself.”
h/t: Business Insider
