Celebrities Help Prevent Bullying by Sharing Their Stories
Bullying is a hot topic these days, and stories of celebrities who have been bullied are even hotter. Olympic champ Michael Phelps talked about his experiences being bullied his story generated international interest.
Victoria Beckham(aka Posh Spice, one-fifth of hit pop music group The Spice Girls) has talked openly about being bullied in school. Recently she said, "People would push me around, say they were going to beat me up after school, chase me. It was miserable, my whole schooling, miserable. I tried to be friends with people, but I didn't fit in. So I kept myself to myself." There is value to these conversations because it shows that even a beautiful, famous and talented celebrity was tormented in school. If she can be bullied, anyone can.
And even Presidential candidate Barak Obama talked about bullying in his presidential nominee acceptance speech, elevating bullying education to a national platform.
Why are people fascinated with discovering that celebrities were victims of school bullying? Is it comforting for bullying victims to know that someone else (and a celebrity, no less!) shared their fate, i.e., misery loves company? Or maybe it's nice to know that someone successful had been beaten down and yet rose beyond the experience. In other words, maybe bullying victims really can have the last laugh.
Actress Rosario Dawson said that one of her worst memories was getting all dressed up for a school activity and having the girls "pick on me because I was flat chested." Her admission about her experiences with school teasing brings more awareness to the issues of how to stop bullying and social aggression.
Discussions about formerly unmentioned topics can result in major cultural changes. For instance, weeks after Betty Fordbecame First Lady, she underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer - and discussed it publicly. Later, she talked about her alcoholism and drug addictions. In the 1970s and 80s, sharing these issues with the public was considered very risky. Her openness about previously taboo topics made headlines, and the public decided that she was incredibly brave and heroic. As the First Lady, she demonstrated that she was as vulnerable as the rest of us. Because of her openness, it became acceptable for "average people" to discuss these issues and get help.
Years later, Oprah Winfrey talked openly about being sexually abused as a child. She even discussed being impregnated by an abuser when she was fourteen (the child died shortly after birth). People admired her for bringing these once-shameful admissions out in the open to help others avoid the same fate. Child abuse, sexual and otherwise, is now discussed openly and honestly, and victims of abuse now know where to seek the support they need.
A few years ago, baseball great Joe Torre talked to reporters about his experience with domestic violence. His father, a respected NYC police detective, was a physically abusive husband and an emotionally abusive father. Fans and non-fans were fascinated with this aspect of this athlete's life. Joe wasn't the first athlete to experience such abuse but it was Joe who used his status and resources to create the Safe At Home Foundation whose mission is to end the cycle of domestic violence. The public was interested in this sports legend's experience with bullying (domestic violence is a type of bullying), and Joe was instrumental in publicizing the issue and working to end it.
So when we hear about Chester Bennington of the rock group Linkin Park say he was, "knocked around like a rag doll at school for being skinny and looking different, " we know that his message will resonate with many kids, who may be bullying or being bullied themselves. It's another reminder that bullying hurts and it's not cool.
Supermodel Tyra Banks has publicly addressed the issue of bullying and reminds young people that gossiping, deceiving, taunting and manipulating are very unfashionable. She tells people that "If you're pretty but you're ugly inside, you're ugly outside too."
Schools and parents need to impart many bully prevention strategies to stop kids from abusing others, including looking to today's celebrities to help deliver key messages about bullying. Pop culture heroes have incredible influence over young people, so when these celebrities talk about the effects of bullying, it's an opportunity for adults to reiterate the importance of respect and tolerance for all.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
|
Can I sue for emotional distress to a child?
My child is 12 years old and we moved to this place 2 years ago. We've settled in alright, but I just found out that she was severely bullied during the first year at her new school. She is still constantly being bullied by this one student. He spits on her, sexually harasses her, etc. The student body & teachers consists of majority of Blacks. My child is not Black. She is constantly bullied for being of a different race. I found out that her teacher even said 'do you think you're some sort of princess?'
When she had just arrived, she didn't know the difference between one race and another. She didn't understand why she was considered different. This is beyond ridiculous. Nobody should have to suffer any kind of consequence because of their race.
But please, if you are going to comment: this issue is NOT about racism. It is about the emotional distress that my child has had to endure as a result of bullying. Their reason for bullying and tormenting my child is not my problem. My problem is that she has been affected by whatever it is they've done to her.
I have contacted the principal. She's warned the bullies and have spoken to their parents. The bullying stopped for a while but then it continued.
My child has gone from being a happy go lucky, cheery and always-smiling child to one that is socially withdrawn, sad, a loner and spends a lot of time in her room.
I don't know what to do anymore. Can I sue for what they've put her through? I'm related to a lawyer, so if I can come up with a solid case then he'll do this pro bono. But I don't want to approach him yet. I would like to know if you guys think it's the wrong approach?
Thank you.
Get the answers...
|
|
Why is everyone always nasty on forum sites?
I'm not accusing anyone here so don't worry, I'm on about actual forum sites in general.
I like talking about topics and discussing things to do with my favourite hobbies & interests etc.
I sign up and stay for a while then I meet a couple of jerks on there and then I end up deleting my account or getting banned.
Every forum site I join, I'm the site's punch bag or joke, I'm their prey or toy.
Why does this always happening?
The only forum sites where I'm actually gonna get respect of is probably a 'Christian' forum.
Not that there's anything wrong with that it's just I would like to talk about other stuff like video games, anime, movies and jokes and lots of other stuff as well, ya know?
I know it's only the internet and that's what trolls do but it doesn't give them the right to treat people that way when all they want is to just chill out and talk not be humiliated publicly.
They maybe a whole bunch of strangers but what if someone on there actually lives near me or knows me in person and sees all that?
Please can someone actually give me an answer to all this and a serious one? Sorry for complaining.
@ sewrobb
Fair point.
Get the answers...
|
|
How to beat up someone way bigger and stronger than you?
This kid is pissing me off, he constantly is calling me names and picking on me and trying to intimidate me by staring at me and saying he's going to beat my ass and stuff. He's a jock and a lot bigger than me but I can't take this for much longer I want to just mess him up, he needs to get his ass kicked too. There would be a lot of consequences like his friends would probably fight me if I did and he would try to get me when I'm not paying attention. He's a bully and I need to stand up to him.
Get the answers...
|
|
Don't kids bring guns to school so they can defend themselves from bullies?
Forget calling the Police since the Public school system is a private entity so the Police will only tell the student to talk to a teacher. Teachers don't want to get involved because then it becomes their problem. Besides there is always that other teacher who can take on that responsibility. So what can the student do? Stay home!
Oh that is right I totally forgot we have child services and truancy officers out there making sure that the student goes back to school. So the only way for that student to be safe is to bring a gun to school and unload on the bullies.
WHEN EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE THEN NO ONE IS RESPONSIBLE!
Look at Eric O'connor's answer. Typical Liberal defend the bully and attack the victim. Isn't that what these Liberals said about women. They liked it which is why they get raped. You Liberals make me sick.
Get the answers...
|
|
How can I make my school uniform cute and unique?
I'm in middle school and my school uniform is a red polo/collar shirt and khaki bottoms...Please Help Me :-)
Get the answers...
|
|
I got into a fight at school with a girl who has been bullying me for a few weeks with her mates?
Basically, she hit me first and I got angry and hit her a lot and pinned her against a wall and hit her(didn't hit her face) and then stopped because she looked like she had given up, then when I let go she went to hit me again so I kicked her and then threw her to the ground.
Who do you think will get the excluded/worse punishment?
Her-for starting the fight
Or
Me-for hitting her a lot more and very hard(even though it was through self defense!!)
Get the answers...
|
|
Get called gay often in School?
I get bullied in school really often 3 times a week the most . they call me faggot , gay queer , and stuff like that . Although i might be joking with a couple buddies of mine . Others call me gay with no joke .
I do have a lot of friends that girls , and a good amount of friends that are guys . I dress like the guys that like bands and stuff , but dont get bullied . Little help on how to prevent bullying ?
Get the answers...
|
|
How can teachers help with bullying?
Hi, I'm doing an 8-10 page essay on bullying in middle school, and my thesis is how teachers can help prevent bullying in middle school, so I was wondering, What do you guys think are some ways teachers can prevent bullying? Or maybe some past experiences ?
Yeah That's not my fool thesis, just giving you guys a quick look at it, I know it has to be about ways that teachers can help prevent bullying, but that's why I'm asking you! :)
Get the answers...
|
|
What should I say to her?
I like this girl at school, and she seems nice. She always talks to the new people and hangs around almost everyone. She is always nice to basically everyone, and she is almost always happy and upbeat. She cares for all of her friends because she always tries to stop fights and prevent bullying. She is somewhat bullied herself from what I can tell, though. She is nice to me, though; but I hear people calling her a h*e since she has a lot of friends. I don't think she likes me all like that since she barely is around me unless I need a pencil or something. She is pretty, sweet, and kind, though. What should I say to her if I don't want to be rejected?
Get the answers...
|
