Bullying is a pervasive problem that knows no social, racial, or economic boundaries and takes many forms.
It is just as likely to occur on the job as on the playground.
Today, we invite you to share your story: let's kick bullying to the curb.
Bullying can happen to anyone - anyone can be a bully.
It can happen at work, school, on the street, online, in your family, with people you think of as friends, or anywhere. Maybe you are a bully, or have bullied someone in the past, and are ready to speak out. In the news recently, we have seen so many tragic stories of young children who have taken their own lives because they were incessantly teased, mocked, and assaulted by classmates both in school and online.
Our daughter attends a public school and has dealt with bullies since she was in Kindergarten. She's a bright, cute, outgoing girl who hates to see anyone not be friends. Unfortunately, this means she's a target for those who feel the urge to divide and conquer.
In Kindergarten, a girl in her class made constant derisive comments to her and made fun of the clothes she had chosen to wear. The bully would tell her she looked stupid and wouldn't be friends with her unless she wore black every day, unless she ate this for lunch, unless she stopped being friends with her best friend, unless she _______. Fill in the blank.
This made her so miserable. She couldn't understand why she should have to change who she is just to please the one person who was out to separate her from all the things that made her happy at school.
Fast forward to Second Grade. Just this week, a boy was digging a hole under the fence in the playground yard. She went over to investigate and he pushed her down. He kept screaming at her and getting in her face, pushing her down every time she tried to get up. Eventually, the playground monitor came over and rescued her, forcing the boy to apologize.
He's threatened her since then, but the school doesn't have proof, so they do nothing.
It's time to take a stand.
We, The Band, need to join together here today and say enough is enough. Submit your story, or link up on your own blog. Alone, we are small; together, we are mighty.
