I was shopping in Tesco’s for some strawberry jam,
Some wafer-thin ham, standing by the Spam,
When up behind me comes security
Over my shoulder, looking straight at me. I was shopping in Tesco’s for some strawberry jam,
Some wafer-thin ham, standing by the Spam,
When up behind me comes security
Over my shoulder, looking straight at me.

I got hurt feelings, I got hurt feelings.
I don’t want to steal your stupid, salted Spam.
I got hurt feelings, I got hurt feelings.
I only came here for some Haribos.

I’m watching the news, up comes the headlines.
Another story about teenage crime,
But don’t judge me, the fault wasn’t mine.
Why’s it affecting our teenage lives?

I got hurt feelings, I got hurt feelings.
We’re not all stereotypes.
I got hurt feelings, I got hurt feelings.
Does it look like we’re carrying knives?

I turn the page of a magazine,
A size-zero model staring back at me.
Another super-skinny celebrity.
Is this how society wants us to be?

I got hurt feelings, I got hurt feelings.
What? Are you expecting us not to eat?
I got hurt feelings, I got hurt feelings.
Not all girls have boobs like on page three.

Have you ever been told that your ass is too big?
Can we be expected to look like a twig?
Have you ever crossed the road to avoid us?
Don’t want to sit next to us on the bus?
Just ’cause some teens give us a bad reputation
Doesn’t mean you should judge, affect our situation.
This prejudice is crazy, driving us to the brink.
Next time you see a teen – stop and think.

Written and performed by Adam Orme, Alasdair Spence, Amy Carmichael, Josh Backhouse, Lucy Evenden, Matt Brown, Paul Kerfoot, Rachael Carter and Zoe Carmichael of the Junior Young People’s Programme (aged 12-15) of Britain Yearly Meeting 2010 for their corporate witness encouraging people to not pre-judge teenagers.

Comments

• Posted by outreachcentre on June 11, 2010

  Well done - good for you. I felt exeactly the same as teenager and then student - and now as a 50 something albeit I look 25 - that other Quakers really value my yothfulness???!