Wear pink next Wednesday to stand up against bullying

I have a pink tie. I have a pink dress shirt. I’ll be wearing them on April 10. It is Pink Day. It is “the International day against bullying”, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia in schools and communities across our country.

It began as a simple gesture at Central Kings High School in Cambridge, Nova Scotia. A freshman student wore a pink polo shirt to school on his first day of class. School bullies verbally abused him for his choice of colours.

Two seniors Travis Price and David Shepherd heard the abuse and went and bought every pink top at a local store and then got on Facebook and asked their friends to also wear pink the next day. The pink tops were distributed and their friends found pink outfits to wear.

The next day the entire senior class showed up in pink and the bullies were riled at the seniors. The cause went viral on national and international television stations. The premier created a special day in the province to honour the stand taken by the two seniors.
From ensuing publicity, the cause of anti bullying became international.
Wearing pink is a symbol of strength in creating awareness about the battle against bullying. That simply acts by two senior high school students who said that they were going to confront bullying and stand up for the victim has become a huge cause.

One of the most common methods used by young people today to bully is the Internet. Connected by smart phones and computers, using Facebook, texting, and twitter, bullies are able to creep into the most private areas of people’s lives. Even in the privacy and sanctuary of their homes and their bedrooms, victims can be accosted.

The Internet as I was reminded last week, never seems to give up its information, and the writings of bullies begin their own lives. The things that are said in harm take on their own lives and can follow their victims forever.
Wearing pink next Wednesday is a symbol that says, we won’t tolerate people who are bullies or who discriminate against others. The statement is silent, but the message is strong. Join in wearing pink on April 10. Let’s shout out across the district that we are standing up by wearing pink.

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher