Stand up to bullying

By Steven Greene Times Contributor

I remember when I was a kid, there was the old saying: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I remember it being used a lot, especially in school. Honestly though, it’s far from the truth, because words are more powerful than one might think, and they can definitely hurt, especially if they’re used to hurt someone.
Whether it’s in the workplace or even in school, we all have been bullied at some point in our lives and it comes in many forms. The most common one (especially in today’s society) is cyberbullying which for those who don’t know, is a form of bullying through electronic devices, such as a computer or a mobile phone.
Unfortunately, due to the wide spread of various social media outlets, cyberbullying has been one of the main leading causes of multiple suicides which is horrifying. Nobody should have to lose their lives because they didn’t live up to someone else’s standards, and no parent should ever have to grieve over their child because someone decided to push them too far.
For example, I remember being in school one day, I was trying to focus on my studying and someone was picking on me (for what, I have no idea). At first, I brushed it off and ignored him. But as he continued to tease me, I began to wonder to myself, why am I being picked on, which I’m sure many bully victims often question. Was it because I was different from everyone else? Was it because they thought I was weak? I can honestly say that to this day. But thankfully, my experience wasn’t overly severe, mainly because it was verbal, but they did indeed hurt.
I’ll admit, I don’t really know if either parents or school staff are fully aware of the severity of bullying in today’s youth, but the term “kids will be kids” simply doesn’t cut it. So, in saying that, I highly recommend that both parents and teachers please be open-minded, be aware of the situation at hand and also ask questions. Communication is key and it’s important to have an open relationship because those questions may save you or your child’s life.
Lastly, my advice to those being bullied. Trust me when I say this, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Things are going to get better. But don’t be afraid to stand up to your bully, show them that you’re the better person. And if that doesn’t work, always talk to someone you can trust, whether it be a family member or even a close friend. There’s always someone that will listen, and no matter what you go through, always remember to never ever give up.