I wanted to write a long, prophetic, intelligent post for today. I wanted to share personal stories of how I was bullied, the impact it’s had on me, and what I did to move on from it. I wanted to make statements that change perspectives and made a difference. I wanted to send words of wisdom that helped the suffering. I wanted to create a rallying cry that would go viral and start a campaign. But the harder I tried, the worse it got. So I’m going with simple:
Bullying sucks. It needs to stop. Now. And it needs to start with us.
Parents of bullies need to intervene and get their kids to change their behavior. Parents of the bullied need to intervene and let their kids know that it’s all going to be okay. Parents of kids in the middle need to intervene and teach their kids to stand up for those who can’t or won’t or don’t stand up for themselves (tell them they’ll be just like Katniss fighting The Capitol if they do). We need to teach the bullies that their actions are not a joke to their victims. Kids who are bullied need to know that life isn’t always like middle school and high school. We need to protect those kids and teach them that they will survive, that this is only a fraction of their lives, and that things really will get better.
We all need to work together to make it better for these kids. They deserve it, don’t they?
I don’t normally say “hey, go spend money!” But in this case, I’m advocating it. If you have a few hours and a few dollars to spare, and it’s playing near you, please go see the movie “Bully”. If you haven’t heard of it, check out the website. It’s a timely film that needs to be seen. By as many people as possible.
And, since I missed Money Tune Tuesday the last two weeks, I’m going to leave you with a fitting, appropriate video: “Bully” by Shinedown. My favorite lyrics? “We don’t have to take this, Back against the wall. We don’t have to take this, We can end it all”
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[…] Take a stand against bullying – I think that bullying is a natural animalistic behavior (animals do it to each other all the time), but why do we let kids behave like animals? Why isn’t it taken more seriously? Worse, what happens when adults become the bullies? What can kids do in that case? I loved this post by Jana. […]
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[…] A must read of the week is at Daily Money Shot. Head over there right now and read Take a stand against bullying. […]
No child should have to live in fear of going to school and risk getting harassed and beat up. That fear is crippling and can last a whole life time. Love the video.
Lisa @ Cents To Save recently posted…Food Waste Friday: Slimy is Yucky
I was a bullied kid back in the 1950s. Ugly experience that left scars I still carry to this day.
That I let it happen for as long as I did, is one of the few regrets in my life. That I managed to stop it is one of the great victories.
http://jlcollinsnh.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/stuff-i’ve-failed-at-the-early-years/
jlcollinsnh recently posted…How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part V: Sold! and the taxman cometh.
I really do want to go see this movie. The trailer makes me want to cry, it also makes me want to punch the woman who says, “They’re as good as gold on that bus.” Ughh.
Niki recently posted…Financial Lessons From Game of Thrones
I’ve been bullied a lot. I think because of that I, instead of accepting it and submitting to it, learned to stand up for myself and others. I hate bullying, it sets me off big time. Unfortunately, it is all around us. I think people love to exercise control over each other too much. No one should accept it. But I am not sure what can be done to stop it. Awareness is a big thing. I hope as long as people are aware, it will get better. Eventually.
Aloysa @ My Broken Coin recently posted…Some Jobs Pay More Than You Think But It Might Cost Your Sanity
And what parents shouldn’t do is laugh at you or bully you themselves, right? 🙂
Bullying has a lot to do with the parenting. It exists because those in authority turn the other way or don’t help their kids overcome it (whether their kid is the bullier or the bullied).
Invest It Wisely recently posted…Two Years of Blogging: My Thoughts, and an iPad 3 (The “New Ipad”) Giveaway + Other Great Prizes!
I plan to see the movie. Bullying is horrible and can be stopped if people are willing to intervene. Last night I had to transfer a client because her peers (also homeless mentally ill women) were bullying her and threatening to beat her up. My staff and I were so worried that we couldn’t keep her safe we had to send her to another shelter. Sadly bullying behavior happens among both children and adults 🙁
Kari@Small Budget Big Dreams recently posted…Do You Suffer From Multitask Mania?
I was bullied as a child. I am taller than most and I waas one of the ones first to grow facial hair in my grade. So I was called sideburns and magilla gorilla. Both needless to say hurt as a child but I have gone on to bigger and better things now and I look back and see some of those kids (men now) and laugh when I see their occupations. Karma is a beaaatch….
PS Shinedown Kicks a$$
Christopher @ This That and The MBA recently posted…Five For Friday: I am beat and need sleep edition!
As a parent it is quite difficult and challenging to teach your child to be the “better person” when your first instinct is to protect your child from harm physical, verbal and otherwise. As a mom I’ve encouraged my child to be the better person, stay away, ignore, tell them to stop and pretty much all the advice out there on how to handle bullies without retaliating but to no avail.