“When asked during an interview about my most life changing experience, I replied through choked back tears, that being bullied for most of my life is what made me who I am today. The struggles of my school years have been my inspiration for my developed platform of, “Cowboy Up!” Taking a Stand Against Bullying. The impact bullying has on a person is one so real, that we can no longer tell ourselves and the people we love to cowboy up, toughen up, or to get over it. The reality is, the intention of these words puts a problem to silence. By changing the meaning of our well meant advice to standing up and speaking out against what is wrong, we can make a difference.
I believe my work with this platform will change the face of popularity. Equality and freedom are terms we should be constantly reevaluating and everyone should have the freedom to walk the halls of their schools without fear. Teen suicide rates are a disturbing truth, which haunt our nation and bullying is a common catalyst. I am taking a stand to restore equality in the schools and workplaces of our neighbors, friends and family. It is my mission to give people the courage to be proud of who they are and what they stand for, as well as inspire them to join my campaign of equal rights.”
Why Bullying is a Problem
Bullying is a reoccurring power struggle, which limits itself to no boundaries of gender, age, race or economic status. In one way or another, we are all affected by bullying, and each of us is responsible for putting an end to it. Whether we are the victim, the bystander or the bully, we each hold the power to put an end to it.
Types of Bullying
Verbal- the use of harsh words to put peers down. This can even include threats.
Social- often takes the form of rumor-spreading and is the form of bullying that allows peers to isolate each other
Physical- the most obvious form of bullying and occurs when constant intimidation by physical means are present.
Technology’s fuel to Bullying
Cyberbullying is the use of the internet or mobile phones to bully peers. This has become a very popular way for bullying to grow because it bypasses the intimidation of face-to-face contact.
The harm in just walking away..
We’ve all heard the advice of just walking away from a bad situation. By constantly standing by and letting this happen, we put silent to a growing problem, leaving a victim alone and abandoned.
Recognizing a problem
THE BULLIED
- Hurts themselves
- Loses interest in school work or begins to do poorly in school
- Loses interest or shows fear of social situations
- Talks about suicide
- Feels helpless
- Often feels like they are not good enough
THE BULLY
- Becomes violent with others
- Gets sent to the principal’s office or detention a lot
- Has extra money or new Is quick to blame others
- Will not accept responsibility for their actions
- Has friends who bully others
- Needs to win or be best at everything
Play your part. . .
Cowboy Up:
If you witness bullying, take a stand against it.
Lend a Hand:
Be a good listener to a friend in need.
Be a POSITIVE role model-
Make a difference in someone else’s day.
. . . Speak up for what is right and speak out against what is wrong
