Sticks and stones
There were a cavalcade of letters (Mostly political) in today’s NW Herald, but this one jumped out. Hats off to the Equality Club for addressing this issue.
To the Editor:
“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” If only that were true. Bullying in one form or another probably will exist as long as there are human beings on this earth. What is it about human nature that makes people believe that by stepping on another person, they can enhance their own sense of self worth? We don’t have to stand by helplessly, wringing our hands in despair. Students tell me that school bathrooms and locker rooms are the two most common locations for bullying. I challenge our McHenry County schools to investigate ways of monitoring these two places so that students, especially gay students or those perceived to be gay, will feel safe. I challenge parents to lead by example, omitting derogatory remarks about people who are different than they. I challenge young people to recognize the dignity and worth of their peers.
I challenge our faith communities to speak about bullying from the pulpit. Finally, if you’re a gay young person who is being bullied, take hope from Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better” campaign on YouTube.
Toni Weaver
Adviser to the Equality Club, MCC
McHenry
October 27 2010 03:08 pm | In the news and Programs