Bullying can happen in many different forms. It is not just something physical but mental and emotional too. It is happening in our schools, homes, neighborhoods and workplace damaging the self esteem of the person being bullied.
I remember when I was growing up I was bullied. It wasn't the physical type but more of the emotional type. I wasn't your average third grader. I had big bucked teeth with big breast that ran in my family. It started out as a joke (which is how most bullying starts) but it then became consistant everyday by a group of kids that I thought were my friends. They would say things that I no child had any business saying. At the time I didn't know I was being bullied because bullying wasn't something that was discussed in school.
My attitude change DRASTICALLY. I was not only being bullied but I was turning into a bully myself. Whenever I was hurting I began hurting those around me. When that same group of kids would make fun of me, I would in turn be mean to my other friends, my brother and other family members. I felt that because I was hurting I need to hurt others too. I lost my group of friends so by the time I reached middle school I was all alone. I no friends because no one wanted to be around me. I was a ticking time bomb, they never knew when I would explode.
This is not something that I am proud of saying but I will say this has taught me a valuable lesson. When others hurt you, instead of hurting those around you talk to them and let them know what is going on. No one deserves to be talked about rather you are playing or not. Jokes can turn serious at any given moment and could damage that person's self-esteem. Continue to surround yourself with positive people and never be afraid to talk about what is going on with you.
Some of us never grow out of being bullies or being bullied. You don't have to let it consume you and take over your life.
Until next time
Trakelia Jimerson
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