Bullying

 

Hey everyone! Today was a really important day for me. I finally had alone time to speak with my brother on the topic of bullying. It is a subject I take very seriously. Middle School is generally where bullying begins {although, it does happen a lot before then too.} Since my brother is now in middle school I've really been wanting to bring up this subject with him. It was really great to be able to tell him about bullying and the seriousness behind it, and for him to actually be really engaged in the conversation. I told him about the bullying that I've been forced to fight through. He never knew about it, so it was kind of a big deal for both of us. I told him about the different kinds of bullying, like cyber bullying, physical bullying, and verbal abuse. I, also, told him how it is more common among girls to be verbally abused like myself, but it does also happen a lot to boys. Although, physical bullying, such as beating some one up, tends to be more common amongst males. He was very interested, and asked many questions. My biggest goal of this conversation for me was to be able to let him know that if he is ever bullied that he should speak up. He doesn't have to tell me, but as long as he speaks out and tells someone is all that matters. Bullying should never be kept a secret. I made that mistake, and I don't want others to have to feel what I felt and still continue to feel. The words that were said, and the teasing that was done just in middle school still sticks with me everyday. It's very important to speak up, because well, if you don't say anything, you will never be heard. And as long as you continue to stay quiet, the bullying will continue as well. If you speak up, something will be done about the bullying, and just by you speaking up, you could not only be saving yourself but a future target.
If any of you readers are being bullied, or you know someone that is being bullied you can email me, or contact me in some way. Please, please do. No one deserves to have to go through it. If you ever need someone to talk to, or just need some way to get help please contact me. You do not need to fight through this alone. I'm here for you guys no matter what I am going through, so please keep that in mind. And if any of you have any younger sibling, I ask you to please talk to them about bullying. When being bullied you can feel very alone, and just letting your little brother or sister know that you're there will go very far. I promise you that.
lovelovelove,
Melissa