Preventative Awareness- Perceptions and Bullying

Perception is the act or faculty of apprehending by means of the senses or of the mind; cognition and understanding. Perceptions affect us everyday in different ways. Like opinion, everyone has their own perceptions. People can respectfully agree and disagree because of different perceptions, each explaining their rational to back their own perceptions. Imagine how life would be if everyone insisted that your perception did not hold any merit.

To be told that even though, you are experiencing unpleasant feelings and physical effects, it is only your perception and it does not count. This is a problem facing many of our children today. A problem that needs change! A problem that sparked director Lee Hirsch to write a movie about, called Bully. The intention of the film is to shed light on how children's feelings are disregarded on many levels. It focuses on different types of bullying and how the problem is exacerbated by a lack of concern in both our society and in our schools.

One scene from the movie is a perfect example of exactly how this can occur. The scene takes place on a playground. An Assistant Principal is trying to settle a conflict between two boys. Despite the fact that only one boy was the aggressor, the Principal insisted that they shake hands. The aggressor obliges, and the other boy resists. The Principal then scolds the boy for his noncooperation and let's the aggressor go. In result, perpetuating the injustice.

Too many times adults tend to minimize a child's feelings. Common phrases like "just get over it" and " it is just your imagination" are both cruel and damaging. Following along, children start to minimize their own feelings by saying things like " he/she did not mean it" or " they are just joking".  It is time to take a stand against this problem and help promote change! To stand by and do nothing is inexcusable! All children deserve to be heard and to be taken seriously!