The Scene staff
“She’s stupid!”
That’s what a student yelled after I gave an incorrect answer in my middle-school math class. It was embarrassing.
Later that day, I was walking down the hall with an armload of books, and another student shoved me into a locker. It hurt.
My school counselor told me I was a victim of bullying.
I didn’t realize that’s what was happening at the time, but kids picked on me throughout middle school. Some days I felt hopeless, and other days I was sad.
I could have bottled up my emotions, became outraged or even given up on life. But I used the experience as a tool to thrive. I became a more empathetic person.
I’ve had friends whose lives were ruined by bullying. They turned to drugs, alcohol, sex and even gang-related violence.
Watching their self-destruction, I knew that I wasn’t going to let that happen to me. I began to do research and seek help to overcome obstacles.
But not every child can take the pressure. Some go so far as to commit suicide because of bullying.
Scottish student Nicola Raphael, 15, overdosed in 2001 after classmates bullied her for wearing Gothic makeup and clothing. Other students accused her of being a witch and threw stones at her.
Missouri student Meagan Meier, 13, hanged herself in 2006 after an adult neighbor pretending to be a teenage boy sent mean messages to her on MySpace. The woman wasn’t convicted for the crime.
Ohio student Eric Mohat, 17, shot himself in 2007 after a classmate said, “Why don’t you go home and shoot yourself? No one will miss you.”
These are prime examples of how bullying can become deadly. Harsh words can lead to the most unimaginable situations.
It should be acknowledged that many teenagers who have committed suicide after being bulled were dealing with other emotional and social issues, but the extra pressure didn’t help.
People need to educate themselves on bullying and speak out against it.
Bullying usually relates to race, gender, religion or other differences among people in society. It can be physical, verbal, sexual or Internet-based.
The most commonly reported form of “cyberbullying” is insulting someone online to make other people laugh (23.1 percent), according to the Cyberbullying and Suicide Research Center. Next in line is sending nasty emails (18.3 percent).
Cyberbullying is most common among youths. Some 93 percent of ages 12 to 17 use the Internet, according to Purch Research; 63 percent get online every day and 29 percent have posted mean comments or photos of someone they know.
More than 70 percent of American students describe bullying as a problem, according to bullyingstatistics.com. One out of every 10 students drops out or changes schools because of it.
The media’s treatment of celebrities sets a bad example for teenagers. They call Beyonce “self-centered” and “fat.” They claim Kanye West married Kim Kardasian for the money. They make fun of Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
Bullying also affects college students. Scott Queener, an assistant counselor at Forest Park, notes that one case of bullying has been reported on campus this summer.
“Many students fear that their offender will find out that they told, which is why a lot of cases go unknown,” he said.
Counselors urge students to tell authorities about bullying, but few do.
I refused to become a victim of bullying. I channeled my feelings and reported the abuse. I kept an optimistic mindset and empathy for those who bullied me.
If you see someone being bullied, do something! If you are a victim of bullying, do something! Write, dance, exercise or do anything that releases natural endorphins. Instead of sitting at home, be productive.
I dare you to tear down the wall that you’ve built and speak up.