Bullying must be stopped. It is the cause of silent suffering and untold pain to its’ victims. It can be responsible for everything from a loss of self-esteem to sowing the seeds for violence later in life, as in the cases of Colombine and Newtown. The time has come for parents and educators to become aware of bullying, and it should be given the same attention as sex education and this education must begin the very first day a child enters school.
Parents and teachers, please, please observe your children/students and notice if their behavior has changed since beginning school. Have they become loners, seem anxious or depressed? Do they ask why they don’t have any friends? Have they become withdrawn?
I know all this firsthand, because I, too, was a victim of bullying.
Before attending school, I was a happy, joyful child, full of exuberance for life. However, in kindergarten, I was verbally bullied by the most popular girl in class, and not allowed to be a member of her “clique”. This naturally had a profound affect on my self-image, which had never been a problem until then. I didn’t fit in, and was very unhappy. The road back to high self-esteem was a long one, beginning with discovering my unique talents – by engaging in activities such as music which allowed me to meet some very special friends – true friends, the kind of friends one has for a lifetime. I also came to realize that more often than not, the most popular people are not necessarily the nicest. A side benefit was that I developed a strong moral compass and sense of independence. I was not easily swayed by the actions or opinions of others. Through my music, I understood the hard work and dedication it takes to achieve a high level of skill. Through my writing, I tell my story of triumph over adversity. Using rhyme and metaphor I relate my experience, seen through the eyes of an adorable little dog, in the children’s book “Beau, a Puppy’s Tale”.
The Puppy's Tale 
Leave a Reply