Last week I posted about anti-bullying legislation. This week I’m posting about anti-bullying activism. Today is a Day of Silence. A day when students across the country will exercise their right to free speech and remain silent in objection to bullying.
“The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.†— DayofSilence.org
Students from middle school to college will hold their tongue in an effort to hold the line against verbal abuse in school.
“Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.†— DayofSilence.org
The princesses encourage you to discuss bullying with your children and friends and help them understand the long-term damage it can cause to individuals and families. If your children are mature enough, you may want to take them to see Bully. Just be prepared to talk with them about the film and help them process the stories shared in that narrative.
We also ask that you share your stories of bullying in the comments. Were you ever bullied by a peer or by an adult? Please share your story!
2 comments
GG says:
Apr 20, 2012
I was a bully. In middle school. In high school. In college. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s what I was. I thought I was a class clown, always ready with a quip that would get some laughs. But my quips were always sharp and painful for at least one person. And that person didn’t think I was funny.
I wasn’t considered a bully by my peers (to my knowledge). I didn’t make fun of people all of the time. I didn’t threaten anyone (outside of the normal tween girl posturing). I didn’t get into fights. I didn’t pick on people because of their sexuality or race or economic status. (I was an equal opportunity little snot.) And I had plenty of friends who gave me as much sh*t as I dished out. But that doesn’t change who I was and what I did. I wasn’t…nice. I was mean. Really mean. And I didn’t really grow out of it until college. Until I was surrounded by people who could make a choice to spend time with me or choose not to when I was a jerk. My friends nicknamed me “The Bitch†and even my mom called me an “Ice Princess.†And though I was happy to be considered royal early on, eventually I understood that wasn’t a compliment.
It wasn’t until I started learning about education issues that I began to fully understand bullying. And began to fully understand that’s what I had been, even into my early 20s. I often apologize to people when I say stupid or thoughtless things now (because sometimes I still do). But I can’t go back and apologize to everyone I was mean to when I was young. I have to live with that and try to make amends by setting a good example now.
I share this as a reminder to everyone bullying isn’t something that happens to someone else or is done by someone else. Sometimes we are the bully and only we can change our behavior. Being a bullying is a (negative) state of mind as much as it is a (negative) pattern of behavior. Sticks and stones may break bones, but words can break your spirit. Sometimes the unfiltered words we use to be funny are just hurtful and damaging. I learned this the hard way. So choose kindness over wit. Choose friendship over funny. And be a royal crusader against bullying!
Claire says:
Apr 20, 2012
I was bullied. In 5th grade, my parents moved us from Austin to Marble Falls. In Austin, I was a carefree, creative free spirit. I wore ribbons around my neck. I played rough sports with boys. My art was shown around town even at that young age. When we moved to Marble Falls, that sort of independence was not celebrated. I had one tormentor who would call me all kinds of names as I walked home from school. I felt very isolated. I was popular in high school but it wasn’t until after I returned to Austin to UT that I felt completely free again.
Much later, as a young adult, my tormentor approached me at a restaurant in Marble Falls and apologized. I later discovered he had a very unhappy life, getting his high school sweetheart pregnant. I felt sorry for him.
To this day, I still feel I am overly sensitive, but that’s okay. I’m happy to be an emotional creature. I’m always on the alert to speak to young people who feel like they are being singled out and quick to remind them of their gorgeousness and unique place in the universe.