Sticks and Stones

Has anyone ever heard the phrase "sticks and stones may break but bones, but words can never hurt me."?????

BIGGEST CROCK OF SHIT EVVVERRRR!!!

One thing we learn while growing up is to be kind to one another, respectful, and to "treat others like we want to be treated!" I know everyone has heard that from a parent or teacher at least once in their life. One thing schools attempt to crack down on is bullying.  I assume most of my readers have gone to some form of public schooling, and while attending school most may have witnessed, been a victim of, or even committed acts of bullying. 

Bullying happens in many forms: text messages, cyber bullying, verbal harassment, name calling, the list goes on. Any form that it comes in is 100% wrong. Many people that bully pick on those who are weaker, and they do not understand the seriousness of what they are doing. Bully's may choose to be mean in order to get a good laugh, to seem cooler to others, or they may not even think they are being mean. One thing people fail to understand is the toll it can take on someone who may not have a stable mind or self esteem. Many teens commit suicide from being bullied about their appearance, their sexuality, their abilities, or even their social status. Regardless of the reason it's never something that will be taken lightly, especially when it's tearing someone apart. 

Being told you're ugly, fat, stupid, or any other negative word, really affects a person. Victims begin to hear things so much they can start to develop a low self esteem as well as take on those thoughts about themselves. This results in feeling like a failure and becoming very withdrawn from the world. 

When someone picks on a person, for whatever reason, they may be picking on someone that is a ticking time bomb! Someone who will start to take every negative word to heart, and may act on it in the wrong way. Words are serious weapons, they can do so much to a person. 

There are two movies I would recommend to readers, both can be found on Netflix. The first is a documentary called Bully, and the other is a made for TV movie called Cyberbully. Both have great information and outlook on the issue. The documentary focuses on how kids have been bullied, why it's negative, and other real world issues. The movie is a good depiction of what bullying looks and feels like to the person in the victims shoes.

It's super important to choose our words carefully, as well as stick up for those who aren't strong enough to do so themselves. Believe it or not, many people do not take well when someone calls them out for being a jerk, trust me I know! Be a voice, especially when in a school setting.

One last thing to remember, any kind of negativity can be interpreted as hurtful or threatening. Even just a one word comment, an exasperating sigh, ANYTHING. My boyfriend constantly reminds me that "perception is reality!" So if you roll your eyes at a classmate while they give a presentation, say something mean about something that defines them (gay rights, religion, etc), or point out their flaws in a way you might see as helpful or constructive; just remember they may not see it as a friendly gesture or take your rolling of the eyes as an involuntary reflex. These actions can be perceived as threatening and negative. 

During my freshman year in high school there was a kid who was bullied for being different. He was in some special classes, and wasn't very good at socializing in a way most would define as "normal." He was strange to many, and picked on by most. One day he brought a knife to school, he pulled it on the bus after getting made fun of. I wasn't on the bus, but we all heard about it; and I went to a school of over 4,000. I never saw him again, I assume he was detained and evaluated, but it's too bad it had to go to that extent. The things that were said to him drove him over the edge, he may not have hurt anyone with that knife, but he was hurt enough for everyone. 

Think before you speak! 

Words are some of the strongest weapons around, we have to use them wisely. Lives have ended over the exchange of hurtful words; hundreds of gay teens commit suicide from lack of acceptance. As cliché as it sounds, life is precious. Imagine your child, or future child, being the one hurt; it would be painful for you to watch someone you love struggle with the hurt and frustration that comes from bullying. Don't even get me started on how you would feel if you lost that child due to someone's ignorance. 

Be a friend, and a voice! But most of all don't be a bully. You never know what might happen if you say something hurtful to someone who isn't emotionally stable. 

Stopbullying.gov