Pink Shirt Day

[Melody]

Still time to order your pink t-shirts for Pink Shirt Day on April 14th. Only $5 each, a perfect Easter gift!

www.PinkShirtDay.ca (http://www.PinkShirtDay.ca)

BULLYING
STOPS
HERE

[Melody]

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- Nine teens have been charged in the "unrelenting" bullying of a teenage girl from Ireland who killed herself after being raped and enduring months of torment by classmates in person and online, a prosecutor said Monday.
Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel said 15-year-old Phoebe Prince of South Hadley was stalked and harassed nearly constantly from September until she killed herself Jan. 14. The freshman had recently moved to western Massachusetts from Ireland. ~ Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/29/charged-bullying-massachusetts-teen-killed/)

NINE kids, and countless others knew about it. How can there be that many demented teens in one area?

Now I realize that every parent thinks their child wouldn't do this, but my Son can't even worry me accidentally without apologizing because he feels bad. When we discussed this incident because I was trying to make some sense of it, he said they'd have to go through him to get to her. This is the response I'd expect from from the majority, but apparently not in that town.

There is nothing this girl could have done to deserve that. It's heartbreaking.

I am pleased that they're being charged for this bullying, but I know they won't receive much for punishment. They're old enough to know better... a 5 year old is old enough to know better. It's just so enraging. I'll be wearing my pink t-shirt for Phoebe this year.

[Melody]

Tomorrow is the last day to order shirts to ensure delivery for the 14th! It seems London Drugs is selling out, but you may find some there too.

[Ursus sapien]

The up close and personal effects of bullying are horrific, whether it takes place at home or at school. I was with an lgbt youth organization here in BC for a number of years, and saw the impact of bullying every day. It really does steal lives.
Thank you so much for this post, Melody.

[CACAdmin]

Bullying can take a serious toll on one's self esteem. It appears that anything which can be used to single someone out as different seems to provide an excuse to bully (for example, as you saw up close and personal with the lgtb group, Ursus sapien). Pink Shirt Day reminds people of the issue but it's important to discuss with your kids whenever the opportunity arises. They may not be a bullies, nor victims of bullying, but if they are aware of a situation, they need to know to speak up about it. Silence simply condones it.

[Melody]

Bullies also grow up to be bullying adults quite often. I've seen it in the workplace before and although I made it very clear that the person wasn't going to intimidate me, others there were so harassed they hated to come to work. One even had nightmares about it constantly. They have it perfected as adults - butter wouldn't melt in this one's mouth around the boss. Luckily my boss saw right through it, but hers didn't.

Wednesday is the day! You don't have to have the t-shirt of course, you can just wear anything pink. Stand up!

And if you're in a bullying situation, don't let them win. We're all here to stand up with you and we'll find a way to rectify the situation together. They like to isolate people and make them feel like the whole world is against you but believe me, they're a minority. They're cowards and they will always lose if you reach out for help. No matter who you are, you'll never stand alone as long as I'm breathing... and I'm willing to bet there's many here who would say the same thing. :hugs: