Teasing, taunting, name calling—bullying is a form of violence that is often overlooked as being “normal.”
Bullying is a serious problem, and it isn’t just a problem for elementary and high school students. After graduation, many bullies and some bully-victims go on to bully others throughout college and beyond.
This month is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and today, Oct. 9, is Stop Bullying Day, because no one deserves to be bullied and no one should have to face a bully alone.
“Bullying builds character like nuclear waste creates superheroes. It’s a rare occurrence and often does much more damage than endowment,” writes author of “Inanimate Heroes,” Zack W. Van.
Whether it’s physical, verbal or cyber, bullying is unacceptable behavior. Yet, in America, we tend to expect it, but all secretly hope it doesn’t turn violent.
This is where we could stand to change.
Together, one day at a time and one person at a time, we can choose to no longer overlook the issue of bullying. We can choose to not mistreat others and to help those who are being mistreated. We can choose to build a safe environment.
Salt Lake Community College strives for such change.
“The college is committed to maintaining the campus community as a place of work and study free from abuse, intimidation and harassment, where everyone is treated with respect and courtesy,” found in SLCC Student Code of Conduct.
In particular, the SLCC Public Safety Department’s main goal is to maintain a safe environment on campus.
If the problem is not such an emergency, SLCC’s Health and Wellness Services offers counseling to student for $10 per session.
While the issue has many sides and angles, today is about stopping bullying, and the best you can do is to be a model for young people everywhere. Show them what kindness looks like. Show them altruism. Show them goodwill.
With all the indifference in the world, just show someone you care today and every day.
