Link Crew members talked to Grade 8 students about bullying during a special event on national “Pink Shirt Day” February 27. Shown standing up for the cause are, from left, Jimmy Moreno, Prabhjot Gill, Marlan Hall and Cameron Cia.
Lyonel Doherty photo
If Matt Campen had his wish, he would make Southern Okanagan Secondary School a “no-bully” zone.
But he can’t do it alone.
That’s why the member of Link Crew called on Grade 8 students to band together to help stop bullying.
“You guys have a chance to stop it,” Campen told the students in the gymnasium on February 27, which was “Pink Shirt Day” in Canada. Students wore pink shirts to signify their opposition to bullying.
Campen, along with other Link Crew members, discussed hurtful behaviour with the younger students and involved them in group activities.
“Many people think they are poking fun at someone, but a lot of people take it to heart and it affects them personally,” Campen said.
He stated there are many types of bullying, such as telling lies about someone, gossiping and “messing with their heads.”
Campen encouraged victims of bullying to talk to an adult or a member of the school staff. “They are all there to help you and will find a way to stop it.”
Campen acknowledged the fact that many people are afraid to tell others about being bullied. But if more people had the courage to speak out, it will encourage others to come forward, like a chain reaction, which will grow strong and help stop bullying, Campen said.
“Bullying hurts a lot of people’s feelings,” he said.
Link Crew coordinator Alison Podmorow told the Grade 8s that it’s not okay to be bullied and not okay to be a bully. She acknowledged that some Grade 8 students have suffered from bullying.
“Bullying stops with you; you’re the ones who can stop it,” she said.
Podmorow told the students not to respond to hurtful messages on Facebook and not to post anything nasty about other people.
She learned of one upsetting story about a young boy who was “pantsed” in class (someone thought it was a joke to pull down the student’s pants).
“While the boy stood there embarrassed in his underpants, the others laughed while the boy cried,” Podmorow said.
The Link Crew empathized with the boy and talked about how cruel the act was.
Other incidents brought to light included name calling on social media sites. For example, someone would post a picture and so-called friends would post, “You’re fat” or “You’re so ugly.”
Again, the advice here was to not respond to the post and try to de-power the bully.
“It starts with each person saying that they will treat others with kindness, empathy and compassion,” Podmorow said.
