By Francis Emukule
Francis here again! I want to talk to you today about bullying. Bullying may be much more complicated than being forced into lockers or having one’s head flashed in the bathroom, despite what most people believe when they hear the word.
Bullies exploit their position of authority to harm or oppress others. They may make you feel frightened in a place where you ought to feel safe.
This is unacceptable! Everyone needs to feel comfortable at school, in their sports team and during the extra-curricular activities.
My story
There are times that I did not feel welcome at school because some boys whom I thought were my friends, decided that I was not good enough for them. They would either make fun of me, laugh at me or ignore me. When it came to football, sometimes, I would never train with my peers because some of the boys would play hard tricks on me. Unfortunately, no one noticed, including the coach. He was always busy concentrating on the whole team.
Talk To Someone
No one has the right to bully you or make you feel unsafe. Unfortunately, the vice is hard to stop because the first reaction is usually to ignore it. However, the problem with ignoring it is that it will not stop.
Most times, we are embarrassed or fear that if we tell, it might get worse or that whoever you tell will not understand. But trust me, I have been there. If you are being bullied, there is only one way to deal with it.
Stop, walk away and tell an adult or someone you trust. Do not take the abuse; tell them everything. Parents, teachers and counsellors have your interests at heart, and they want to help.
Bullies might scare you out of telling, but if you tell an adult, the bullying is more likely to stop. We have to stand up for one another other.
Never ignore bullying; never stay silent. You will help yourself and your bullies more by speaking out. Do it for yourself and your friends.
Bullies Are Cowards
A friend told me her experience of how her niece would return home with fresh wounds almost daily. When she inquired, she discovered that there was a big boy in her class who was bullying her and beating her up. My friend went with her niece to the school, looked for the big bully and she had a talk with him. That was the last time the little girl returned home with wounds. So my dear friends, never fear to open up to someone about your problem.
