Taylor Swift Case Used to Teach BrainWise
Posted On: November 23, 2023BrainWise students from Denver’s CEC Early College High School recently attended the Rotary International Zones 26 and 27 Institute in San Diego, where Rotary leaders from 30 Rotary Districts and 1700 clubs in the Western United States and Canada had gathered to obtain training, resources, and tools to implement and enhance projects in their clubs and districts.
The female students participated in a BrainWise keynote presentation to demonstrate how the 10 Wise Ways can be used to promote mental health, as well as to empower young girls. These topics are the initiatives of Rotary International President Gordon McInally, who has challenged Rotary to be a “safe place” for people who need such help.
While Rotarians may not be Taylor Swift’s typical fan base, they have daughters and granddaughters who are, and Swift’s personal handling of an unwanted sexual touching incident and a subsequent court trial involving the incident sent a powerful message to individuals of all ages, genders, and races. Her story is an example of how those who teach or are interested in teaching BrainWise, can use celebrities’ problems as teaching tools for the 10 Wise Ways, as well as reinforcing the first lesson that BrainWise teaches—Everyone Has Problems.
Assessing Taylor Swift’s Use of the 10 Wise Ways
To prepare for their Rotary presentation, the Interactors chose different situations related to the assault and trial, and asked Rotarians questions about the situations and the Wizard Brain thinking (prefrontal brain), or Lizard Brain reacting (limbic brain), that were used in these situations. The teens fielded answers from Rotarians and explained how the Wise Ways applied to the different actions. The Rotarians learned how stories like Taylor’s are teachable moments and can help people understand why Wizard Brain thinking prevents and solves problems.
Taylor Swift continues to use her fame and wealth to advocate for girls and others who are victims. Still, it remains difficult for these girls to overcome the fear of negative consequences and other reasons that prevent them from reporting such incidents.
This is why learning the 10 Wise Ways helps. The Wise Ways are teaching tools that give children, youth, and adults words to understand and explain complex behaviors and emotions. The skills that help them recognize when they need support and how to identify the best resources to use. Help lines like “988” 24-hour Lifeline number and contact organizations like Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and its hotline (800-656-HOPE) or website http://www.rainn.org are of no value if victims do not use them.
To see the complete BrainWise newsletter on this subject follow this link: https://conta.cc/3RgDNOV
