Let's End Bullying!

I'm not the most serious person in the world. I can usually find humor in just about any mundane thing.... and I'd much rather be laughing about something goofy rather than having a heated political debate any day of the week. In turn, I try to keep my blog light-hearted and fun, because that's how I like to be most of the time. However, this week has thrown my happy spirit for a loop. When I heard the horrible news about what happened to Tyler Clementi, the amazingly gifted Rutgers student who was betrayed and humiliated by his roommate and ultimately committed suicide, it not only broke my heart... it disgusted me! Now, I don't know whether the incomprehensible actions of Tyler's roommate were a hate crime, a horrible act of bullying, a ridiculous act of ignorance, a very mean prank, or a combination of all the above, but what I do know is the devastating outcome is all too familiar in our society... and it bothers me beyond words. It's truly tragic and heartbreaking!

I can't be silent about something I feel so passionately about. I have a public outlet through this blog, and I'd be doing my principles an injustice by not commenting on something so important to me. Teen bullying is a pandemic in our country that has to end! Everyone has differences, that's what makes this world such a wonderful place.... and it's about time that we as a society (and world) respect and celebrate our differences rather than stifle them with intolerance. It's about time we support and uplift our fellow classmates, colleagues and neighbors, however different they may be, rather than tear them down because of prejudice, jealousy, or ignorance. It's about time we stop turning a blind eye to injustice, cruelty and discrimination because of indifference, ambivalence, fear, or not wanting to get "involved". And it's about time we stand up to people who bully and hurt others out of callousness, spitefulness, unawareness, or the need to make themselves feel better about their own shortcomings and insecurities.

I know there are millions of people who feel the same as I do, but unfortunately to those being bullied, the voices of their bullies are louder than our voices of support and acceptance. Please unite with me to make our voices louder than the taunts of intolerance and hurt. Help our voices multiply and echo to drown out the callous voices of bullies all over the country (and world). Please take a moment to post your own anti-bullying message on your online outlet. And/or help me spread this message by adding the anti-bullying ribbon to your website or blog.

The only intolerance that should be accepted in our society is intolerance to bullying and cruelty.



*Ribbon image borrowed from www.stopbullyinginourschools.com*