Pink Shirt Day

Image via Wikipedia

Today, two friends told me about their recent experience with bullying.

One of my best friends, who I have known for 23 years told me about her son fearfully shaking this morning as he told her he was scared to go to school. Another friend told me about how her co-workers child is experiencing bullying with little help from the school principal.

Sadly, these stories are not unique and the fact is that bullying is rampant in our society.

From very small children, where it begins, to adults in public office.  Many people know live in the great state of Wisconsin. For over 50 years the state has held a long tradition of union negotiation, protecting the rights of workers. Now those rights are under attack by a newly elected Governor, ill-equipped to compromise, preferring strong-arm tactics.

Both sides of the argument are in the process of name calling and bullying tactics.  One side has sought to bully the other into changes and is shocked when the other has decided to push back, effectively playing the same game by refusing to allow a vote. Clearly, both sides are bullying the other, and failing to negotiate is a horrible example of how things should work.  Sadly, that the Governor is trying to eliminate the right to negotiate is the most tragic tactic to come out of this political dispute but both sides have behaved poorly in many respects.

I would like to remind people, bullying begins in a child’s formative years and all examples that adults provide are quickly internalized as proper behavior, regardless of whether those are appropriate or not.

When a child is bullied on the playground we often tell them to fight back, and we certainly wouldn’t expect them to lay down and take a beating when faced with a fight, but to defend themselves given the circumstances.  The solution is to learn how to treat each other with respect and learn to negotiate and compromise with a clear head, avoiding the power abuse that is bullying.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 is Pink Shirt Day, a day we stand together to fight against bullying by deciding we are no longer going to tolerate power abuse. We stand together silently to support the rights of children and people to be treated with respect. Remember to wear your PINK shirt, and remember that bullying begins with each of us and the examples we set for our children.

Here is a link for more information.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14, 2010 , is your chance to help

Tomorrow is Pink Shirt Day.

It may not seem like a lot, but tomorrow, when you wear your pink shirt, you will be making a difference.   How you ask? Just by wearing a pink shirt, you will tell others you think bullying is a serious issue. You will stand in solidarity with every bullied child.  

You will say you want violence, aggression, and abuse in our schools to stop. People might ask you why you are wearing pink, and you will tell them. They will realize you care and perhaps they will decide to care too.

Bullying is a serious issue. It requires a consistent effort among many people to make a difference.

I recently completed this map for an assignment in my Cartography class. I have to adjust the legend to denote victims in the thousands but otherwise I think it is an acceptable look at the bullying data, visually.  

Bullying Victims in thousands, source: Brenda High, Bully Police USA

Here is the PDF if you would like it  Bullying Victims-Contiguous United States

The numbers come from Brenda High’s research and work with Bully Police USA. They are based on a study by Olweus and the 2000 census.

At the time they were the only numbers I could find in one place for each state.  Please remember current numbers are likely to be much higher and if I can find them I will adjust the map. 

I will be doing another map later on in the semester, comparing victims to bullies, so stay tuned.

 I also hope to work on an International one. I cannot find data for South America, Africa or India, and a few other areas. If you know of statistics or research studies, please email me at kindergartenbully@att.net

Wednesday, April 14, is Pink Shirt Day

In Nova Scotia, Canada, two boys decided they were not going to let one of their peers be bullied in silence.  The boy had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school so his friends chose to wear pink as a way of supporting him and Pink Shirt Day was born.

Their community joined in and this year they are asking people to show their support by wearing pink. On Wednesday, April 14, 2010, you too, can show your support by wearing pink. When you put on pink you will be saying that bullying is something that should not be tolerated and you will show everyone who is a victim they are not alone.

Learn more about the boys, and their effort here.

Bullying is a serious issue, one that many people overlook as something children must live with as a part of childhood. Show your support, wear pink and say that together we can make a difference in a child’s life.