Pink Shirt Day

Let's all wear pink on February 23rd and again on April 4 (and any other day)to recognize Pink Shirt Day and boost awareness of the harms of bullying. (http://www.pinkshirtday.ca/) Because this idea has spread far and wide, different days are now emerging in recognition of the need for anti bullying awareness and action. Bullying is abuse; simple as that. It cannot and must not be tolerated. We do know that the reasons behind the making of a bully are complex as are the reasons "victims" too often do not tell. Sadly, many are not even aware that bullying is wrong!

The original idea for Pink Shirt Day was the brain child of two teenage students in Nova Scotia who took a stand against bullies in their school. CBC News, September 19, 2007, reported that David Shepherd and Travis Price, after hearing a student was called a homosexual and threatened for wearing pink, "went to a nearby discount store and bought 50 pink shirts, including tank tops, to wear to school the next day." Since that powerful act of solidarity, Pink Shirt Day has made its way across Canada and is now internationally recognized.

Read more at Suite101: Anti-Bullying Campaign in Canada: Pink Shirt Day Increases Awareness and Media Attention on Bullying http://www.suite101.com/content/anti-bullying-campaign-in-canada-a219531#ixzz1Eiwqvccc

I am proud to say that my now 10 year old grandson "got it" immediately that first year and picked out his own pink shirt to wear. He has been on the receiving end of bullying both in day care and school. He does his best to name it and stand up to it, "but it's hard Grandma". He and all children need the example and support of all the adults around them to recognize and stop bullying.

Bullying is not confined to the class room. Bullies can be found everywhere in the roles of instructors, parents, employers, landlords, medical professionals, police officers, co-workers, professors, teachers, social workers, day care providers, sales people, board members, lawyers and on and on the list could go. No occupation is spared.

I would love to hear your stories about strategies to keep children safe and strong in the face of bullying and for ways we could all be part of the solution.

Carol