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Together, we can make a difference |
I look back on my ninth grade year with mixed feelings. To be honest, I view much of my school year
with disdain intermingled with the occasional fond memory. Usually, those memories occurred when I
wasn’t serving as the punching bag for teenage boys with too much testosterone
and something to prove. Other than the
fact that they could bruise my scrawny frame, I’m not sure exactly what they
were proving, but they did it with great zeal and it left a lasting impression.
Bullying is a real problem.
It was back then and it still is today.
According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 20% of
students in grades 9-12 experienced bullying.
That’s an astronomical number that needs to be erased. Even one is too many.
Bloggers against Bullies is a way for writers and artists to
join together and take a stand. It is
our desire to raise awareness through essays, stories, book excerpts, and art,
bringing attention to what has too often been overlooked. Some have said that bullying is a part of
growing up, sort of a rite of passage.
Of course, this probably is only said by those who were bullies when
they were younger, because someone who has suffered at the hands of others
would never say anything as asinine. No
one should have to go to school afraid.
Bullying can have severe effects. Not only does it threaten a student’s physical
and emotional safety, but bullying can lead to depression and anxiety. The child suffering from bullying sometimes
experiences changes in sleeping and eating habits. Their stomach is in knots, worrying about
what abuse the next day will bring. They
also have increased feelings of loneliness, especially if no one will intervene
for them. It can also have a negative
impact on their learning ability, They lose interest in school, not wanting to
participate in order to avoid a confrontation.
This could lead to them skipping for specific classes if not for the
whole day. Their grades suffer, which
damages their future. In extreme cases,
a small percentage of those bullied may strike back in fatal ways. “In 12 of 15 school shooting cases in the
1990s, the shooters had a history of being bullied.” It affects more than the bully and the
bullied. Even the bystanders are at
risk.
I remember those gut-churning feelings. I dreaded gym class because that’s when Aaron
and Rueben would use me as their recreational device instead of picking up a basketball. Instead of a normal game of catch, they would
toss me back and forth between them. You
can only go to the clinic so many times to avoid being a punching bag. Sometimes, even those who were supposed to be
my friends were no help, thankful just to be out of the bullies’ line of
sight. I dreaded walking the halls and
chose my seats in class very carefully.
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Stephanie Neighbour from Chucklespace |
When it comes to bullies, many of us have our stories to
share. Bloggers against Bullies is the
place, so that together we can not only bring awareness, but perhaps offer some
hope to those who may be going through it at present. We’ll not only be sharing stories, but also some
great information and help on what you can do to take a stand. In the days and weeks to come, you’ll see
tips on what to look for as well as where to turn from writers who have been
there and made it through.
However, we won’t be stopping there, because bullying is not
just a school yard tragedy. It happens
in the work place and in homes; it can happen anywhere and to anyone. It can even happen online. It doesn’t know race, gender, sexual
orientation or age. Bullying is about an
imbalance of power, whether real or perceived, between individuals. I’ve known of work places where that
imbalance was rampant and used in detrimental ways. It is unwanted, aggressive behavior that
continues to occur and can be verbal or physical in nature. I’ve known managers who only managed in these
ways, creating an healthy work environment.
There were days that I went to school sick to my stomach
because I knew what was coming the next day and there was nothing I could do
about it. I’m still sick to my stomach,
but now it’s for an entirely different reason.
Now it’s because I know what it does to people and that it’s still going
on. It’s time to say no more. It’s time to band together and give a voice
to an issue that too many for too long have turned a blind eye to. Therefore, we’re asking bloggers to join us
in a worthy cause. We’re all busy with
deadlines and stories that we need to get on paper, but if enough of us join
together, we can make a real difference.
Stephanie Neighbour from Chucklepsace.com and I are going to
create a web page and blog and we want you to be a part of it. We’ll put a bio up of every participating writer
with links to your works and pages.
We
also have a Facebook page, Bloggers against Bullies that you can post things to
by sending them directly to us at bloggersagainstbullies@gmail.com. I’ll attach your name making sure you gain
the credit. We would also appreciate it
if you would add our button, Bloggers against Bullies, to your page, linking
back to the web page once we have it built with all of our participants. If you are willing to stand by us in this
cause and help us in bringing awareness to others, please contact either one of
us.
I hope you take this as seriously as we do, because we need
your help as do the children having to face each day knowing that at some point
someone is going to make their life a living Hell. We cannot all give everything, but we can all
do something, and with all of us making an effort to take a stand it may just
change someone’s life. Won’t you join
us?
* * * * *
Did you enjoy what you read? Leave me a comment and then join me at The Mess that Is Me on Facebook!
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Thanks for visiting The Mess!
Great intro post, Robbie and I am happy to be a part of the project. I think the more we speak up and bring awareness to the ongoing problem of bullying, the more people we can help. I join you in inviting everyone to join in and offer any help they can to help bring awareness to this serious issue. No one should go through their days afraid. Well done friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie. I look forward to joining you in this exciting endeavor!
DeleteI'm in Robbie. I started a post about this subject yesterday, so it's fresh for me. This is not what I expected when I clicked on your page, so...well, I'm just in. Let me know what you need.
DeleteThanks, Christina :) We have the fan page and are building a website/blog. I'll email you with what we're doing and you can choose where you want to help. I'll also add your post when you do it to the Facebook page. Thanks for joining us!
DeleteI'm here to help out it any way I can!! This is a subject I am all too familiar with and it is crucial to make sure that bullying is not socially acceptable!!
DeleteThanks, Victoria :)
DeleteRobbie and Stephanie, this is a brilliant idea. I'm thrilled that you're working to make it a reality. Bullying isn't new. It would be nice to be a part of making it more rare.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kenneth! It would be great to have you on board! Together, we can accomplish change.
DeleteRobbie & Stephanie, I take this seriously. Consider me all the way in. Thank you for this fantastic idea, helping with awareness, and hopefully causing change. I already know a story line I want to run. A friend of mine in Montana started Biker's Against Bullies about a year ago, and it has taken off. They speak at school's all over the United States. I am going to get in touch with him. THANK YOU! Leisa
ReplyDeleteFantastic! The more the merrier and the more people we can help. I'm proud to have you with us, Leisa :) Looking forward to it.
DeleteI am a middle school teacher, YA author, and Mom. I speak at secondary schools challenging students to S.T.O.P. Bullying and Suicide. I also speak to the teachers providing professional development for the prevention, identification, and intervention of bullying. My very own children have been bullied, we reported it, and the administrators deemed it "girl drama". Educators need to realize "drama" is a thing of the past. If it is a continued behavior toward the same child, then it is bullying!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful that you are uniting authors and bloggers to stand up against bullying. I am in 100%! The power to S.T.O.P. bullying is with the majority!
(I am emailing you now. Let's do this!)
:) Jana
Thanks, Jana :) It's good to have you on board. I answered your email and look forward to working with you!
Delete