Another finding during the cleaning progress: my yearbooks. I had great years at CSD and I had my not-so-great ones. For some reason I was heavily bullied throughout my years by upperclassmen. I am not going to blame myself, or anyone but I just cannot fathom the reasoning of bullying itself. I remember my great moments at CSD: crowned as prom queen, going on a trip to Europe and Asia, finally making it to the cheerleading squad, and more. But I just cannot forget those somber times where I was picked on. It has left a dent on my mind- I have learned that it is very important to forgive others. But can I just forget?
It's quite amusing that most of my bullies are now friends with me, a friendly acquittal for them. We're all adults now and we're much more mature with respecting others. It's amazing that those who once bullied has outgrew their bullying days and participated in causes like take a stand together. This campaign enabled a social media movement using a print-out number sign for one to hold and take a picture with.
I think currently the school system has perceived bullying a lot differently, we are taking it way more serious. There has been numerous of suicide underpinned from bullying--its great that we're taking action now. But sometimes I wish they took it seriously back then. Because I still have this dent in my head, because my bullies have not taken the accountability. I'm not exactly sure how I feel when I see their facebook pictures with their assigned number from take a stand together campaign.
I again ask myself- why bully? What do you really get in return? Stories to tell your children? Something to be proud of? To one-up others? I still cannot figure. Should I have reported? Will I get called a 'snitch'? What about others around me who saw the whole incident? Oh, bystander effect. Let's not play this dangerous "should I have done this?" game. I appreciate the place I am in now but if I ever see anyone being bullied- I will not hold my voice. Because I know what it is like and because it should never be tolerated.
I love that last paragraph you wrote, it makes so much sense. Bullying can affect others in so many ways, sometimes people forget to be considerate about how they feel - it's madness! Oh, if only all the bullies in the world could stop and think about how they go about to others...
ReplyDeleteI agree. That's the only thing I remember from Middle School at CSD, being bullied. It's rather unfortunate, because I know I've had some amazing times but I can't remember them because those memories overtake everything else.
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