It’s Time to End Bullying
By: Darri Stephens
Tags: Sports, Education, Wellness, Learning, Bullying

It’s Time to End Bullying

This past week has been fraught with anxiety and tensions during the US election, underscoring the wide divide in much of the country. And while opinions are, by definition, meant to be diverse and unique and individual, we, as a society, continue to not model the best tolerance for our kids. As we wrap up National Bullying Prevention Month in October, we wanted to compile resources, tips, and some positive inspiration for you. We wanted to shine a spotlight on the need for empathy, compassion, and a culture of kindness. As adults, we should remember that an inclusive mindset needs to be developed early and reinforced continually in our youth.

What is bullying?

Bullying encompasses a broad spectrum of unwanted, negative behavior towards another. Bullying can be physical, emotional, or verbal. Cyberbullying is similar repetitive aggressive behavior that happens online, and often cyberbullying can be more insidious as it can happen 24/7, be more public, and often is hard to detect. National Bullying Prevention Month aims to bring awareness to this bullying epidemic.

“Let’s not tease each other, let’s not bully each other because you see someone different than you … let’s be kind, let’s be nice, you guys, let’s go!” — Markeith Price

Who is involved?

Bullying and cyberbullying truly are community-based issues. Often the incidents are not just between two individuals, but affect networks of kids (or adults). There are the perpetrators — the bullies; those being bullied — the targets; those who know of the harassment but don’t do anything or tell anyone — the bystanders; and those who stand up and support the targets — the upstanders.

How to combat?

SEL (social and emotional learning) programs like Classroom Champions SEL Foundations Curriculum encourage kids to revel in their individuality, to think of and have empathy for others, and to be active participants in their communities. We need to encourage kids and their friends to lean on others and to speak up in order to help end a bullying or cyberbullying situation. We need to develop them to be team players and leaders. As community members, we all need to celebrate our differences, not shun or dismiss them. By sharing personal stories, we can help kids understand that they are not alone, and that there are tried and true strategies for combatting bullying.

Take a couple of minutes today to listen to Markeith Price, a silver medal Paralympian in track and field. Markeith shares his own story from when he was younger and was bullied for his difference, his visual impairment caused by optic nerve atrophy at the age of three. As someone who has been a target of bullying and yet has overcome to become a world-renown athlete, Markeith’s insights are personal and poignant. Let’s continue to empower kids to be agents of change to end bullying and cyberbullying once and for all.

Learn more about Markeith in his Classroom Champions Athlete Profile Kit that teachers can share with their students.

Spread the word!

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