OCTOBER 2014
8
At a young age, I was introduced to the dangers of bullying. When I was in elementary school, there was a group of girls that constantly picked on me. They viewed me as their “project”, and sought to change the way I dressed, acted, even the way I breathed. They would exclude me from their activities, unless it gave them an opportunity for them to make fun of me.
Although this event occurred over ten years ago, I think about it often. I find myself questioning my recent change in fancier attire, wondering if it was a subconscious result of their bullying. I’d often be timid of sharing my opinion; for fear that I would look like an idiot.
The bottom line? Bullying has deep psychological, social, and emotional effects; and I’m pretty tired of it.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. You can make a difference against bullying by participating in The Sister Accord Challenge.
The Sister Accord is a groundbreaking movement with the goal of inspiring one billion girls from throughout the world. The movement consists of
three pillars – educating girls and women, enlightening girls and women about the power of the sister, and eradicating bullying and violence against girls and women.
You can take the Sister Accord challenge by promising to fulfill one of the points on the Sister Accord Resolution, listed at the official website here:
http://www.thesisteraccord.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=15.
After you complete one of the points, upload a video to your social media account with the hashtag #SisterAccordChallenge challenging your friends to do the same within 24 hours. Should they fail to comply, they would need to donate $50 to the Sister Accord Foundation. In addition, the completion of your entry qualifies you to win awesome prizes and be a part of a revolutionary movement that’s changing people’s lives for the better.
For more information, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M69TgTKD7TM.
SUPPORT
REPORT
DEFEND
by Julia Schemmer