“You ain’t shit” seems to be the most common go-to attack for bullies. ‘Want to know why they tell you this? Here are the most common motives behind the statement and how you should re-frame it to buffer your self-esteem.
Any time you show some confidence, it will make your bullies feel uncomfortable. Why? Because it will threaten their power over you. Moreover, if you score a win or accomplish an achievement, your bullies won’t like it. Therefore, your bullies will say something to cut you down to size.
Their favorite go to attack is to tell you that “you ain’t shit.”
Therefore, in this post, you will learn exactly why your bullies use this phrase. You’ll also learn how to use context to buffer your self-esteem against it and how to counter it.
Once you learn all about this important information, you will better be able to brush it off when bullies use this statement.
This post is all about why bullies like to tell you that “you ain’t shit,” so that you can re-frame it and use it to raise your confidence.
“You Ain’t Shit!”
Introducing Rev. Aldtric Johnson
This post was inspired by Minister Aldtric Johnson of the “Be Blesstified” blog. He is a talented blogger and this is a must read for anyone who is a target of bullying.
Not only is his post packed with truths that we don’t often think about, but it’s also loaded with good humor! I can tell you that not only did I learn a few things, but I was in stitches as I read it! So please take the time to read the post below, you’ll be so glad you did!
In the words of Pastor Aldtric Johnson:
“This is a much too common insult in our culture, and yes, the bad grammar is always intentional…
“You ain’t worth s**t! Of course, implying that someone doesn’t have the value of feces, crap, refuse, doo-doo, dung, ‘ish’. It can be very hurtful if you allow it, especially if you are insecure or struggle with self-esteem. Or, if it’s told to a child by a parent, authority figure or peer.
It’s damage can last well into adulthood. So, let me give you a little ammunition with biblical support in case someone ever tells you, “You ain’t worth shiggity!”
Even Sh*t has value.
God created everything with value. Everything! Even doo-doo! We all know that there’s an industry built around the use of animal dung to make mulch and fertilizer.
Why? Because God put purpose and power, even in poop. Not only does it have value, but great value. People pay good money for a sack of s**t at Home Depot and Lowe’s.
God, in His wisdom gave waste the power to make things grow…so even waste doesn’t have to be wasted.
But, let’s look at the bible. There, we find the ‘S’-word was used for two ‘F’-words…both FERTILIZER and FUEL. Not only did they use it to grow their food, but they used it as fuel/coal to heat their food too.
When Bullies Tell You, “You ain’t Shit,” Look up these Bible verses on the value of crap:
Luke 13:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
Ezekiel 4:15 (NKJV)
15 Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.”
So, don’t get it twisted. God has value for dung. He has a purpose for poo, and He has a purpose for you.
Feces is used to diagnose illnesses, research for cures for disease, and do scientific research. There’s value in doo doo!
So, if anybody ever tells you that “You aren’t worth s**t,” tell them thank you! Tell them of it’s value. And then, remind them that if they ‘ain’t’ working God’s purpose for their life, tell them “S**t is worth more than you!”
Aldtric Johnson’s Blog – Be Blesstified
Now, here’s my take on it.
So, Why do Bullies Make the “You Ain’t Shit” Statement?
As mentioned earlier, bullies use this statement to cut you down to size. And they do it anytime you win at something and others either announce it or tell them. Also, they may tell you this anytime you show pride in yourself. Also, they do it anytime they overhear you sharing your successes with others.
So, why do bullies spew this ratchet statement?
1. They’re threatened By Your Confidence
Realize that your confidence will always threaten your bullies. Moreover, your bullies will only see your confidence as arrogance. And they will call you arrogant for the sole purpose of shaming you for it to get you to tone it down.
Moreover, they may even call you this to tear down your confidence and demoralize you. Realize that confidence is your first line of defense against bullying. And this is why bullies want to destroy it.
2. To Erode Your Self-Esteem
If you have healthy self-esteem, your bullies won’t be able to tear you down as easily. Therefore, they throw subtle digs and zingers to chip away at your self-esteem.
Look at self-esteem as an invisible fortress. In order for an enemy to invade and take over, they must destroy the fortress first. It’s the same with bullies. They must destroy your self-esteem before they can invade you and take over your life.
Therefore, they begin by subtle verbal taunts to soften you up.
3. Why Bullies tell you, “You Ain’t Shit”
To Assert Superiority over you
To assert domination over you, your bullies must first cut you down to size. Bullies want to be superior to you. Therefore, they will make this statement to feel more powerful and to make you feel powerless.
4. To Humiliate you in front of others
Have you noticed that bullies will usually tell you this in front of an audience? Understand that they do this to humiliate you and to entertain others at your expense.
Bullying is hurtful enough in private. However, it’s several times worse in public, when there are others around to see it.
5. To Put you in your place
When you succeed at something, bullies consider it an affront to their power over you. Moreover, your win only reminds them of all the things they failed at.
There are reasons why bullies discourage you. And they do it deliberately. Realize that your bullies are more aware of your potential than you are and they are jealous of that potential.
Moreover, these people are scared to death that you’re going to make it in life later on. Therefore, they ridicule your confidence and try their hardest to make you ashamed of it so that you’ll tone it down a little.
Bullies know that if they can convince you that having pride in your win is arrogance, they can fool you into suppressing your confidence. In that, they can steer you away from success. So, see this for what it is.
It’s a sneaky form of sabotage!
Understand that these people see you as inferior to them. Therefore, any accomplishments you make will threaten their power. Moreover, it would crush their egos.
Understand that these people aren’t happy. Why do you think they go out of their way to bring you down, rain on your parade, trash your dreams?
Think about it. How many happy people do you see sitting or standing around putting others down? Therefore, realize that when they tell you, “you ain’t shit,” they just might be projecting their own feelings of inadequacy onto you.
And they tell you these things because they want you to believe it! Moreover, they want you to live up to it!
Realize that this phrase usually comes from jealousy.
So, how do you counter your bullies when they tell you, “you ain’t shit?”
Simple, you let it go in one ear and out the other. Or, you can do as Rev. Aldtric Johnson suggested, you can tell them, “thank you.”
Also, look at the context of it. Did you win at something? For example, did you finally accomplish a goal that you’ve worked hard to attain? Did someone give you recognition for a job well done? If so, feel good about it and laugh at your bullies.
Why? Because they’re only saying these things out of jealousy and to keep from feeling inferior to you.
Are you a confident person? Maybe your bullies are jealous of your confidence.
Again, just look at them, smile, and say, “thank you.” Then watch your bullies seethe, knowing they didn’t get the reaction they wanted from you.
This post was all about why bullies tell you, “You ain’t shit,” so that you’ll know where it comes from and buffer your confidence against it.
Related posts you’ll enjoy:
1. Bullying and Self Confidence: 7 Steps to Keeping Your Confidence Up When People Bully You
2. Knowing Yourself: Why it’s the First Step in Building Confidence
3. Things School Bullies Try to Hide: 13 Things They’re Ashamed Of
4. How to Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
5. Jealousy and Bullying: 7 Proven Signs Your Bullies are Jealous
I used to hear this phrase banded around quite a bit when I was in the service. My comeback would be, “No, I ain’t shit, I’m a human being. That would stun them sometimes.
Great comeback, Michael! Way to shut them down!
Ahhh yes! The “You Ain’t Shit” Comment takes on many different forms. It can be an attack worded about someone’s intellect, etc. If they know they are interested in a guy/girl, they will say things to the person trying to hold them back from expressing interest or telling them they aren’t good enough. Also many times they will tell someone they are unattractive or inadequate. All of those things are basically the same as the “You Ain’t Shit” comment. In addition, they are also basically seeing if you will stand up or back down. It is a challenge and they are banking on the victim not standing up for themselves and sadly more often than not they are right. Never ever back down!
Absolutely right, Bradley! That statement is designed to put it’s victim in their place and keep them there.