Titus Single Parent Mentoring

 

About Bullying
Every one of us are different. Some of us are short, tall, overweight, underweight, gay, straight, transgender, have special needs … we’re all various races, we dress and look differently. Bullying knows no boundaries. Popular kids can be bullied as easily as others. Just look at some of the celebrities who’ve been targeted. We can STOP Bullying by being tolerant, kind and respectful and stand up for each other. We all dance to a different drummer – but the reality is we are ALL the same because we are ALL people. No one deserves to be bullied for any reason!! NO MATTER!

Meet Nandi
“Bullying is a vicious cycle that causes so many horrible things to happen to the kindest and gentlest of people.” - Nandi Weziwe Hildebrand
Nandi was born in Maryland to an African mother and a Caucasian father but moved to South Africa when she was 2 months to live with her grandparents. She returned to the US from South Africa when she was 7 years old and attended a school in Southern California.  Nandi’s accent, puffy hair, lack of knowledge about the popular culture resulted in her being identified as “different” by her peers, and she became a target of bullying. Many students didn't want to associate with her. During lunch break, hardly anyone would sit next to her because they were afraid that she might "contaminate" them with an "African disease."

Nandi’s Anti-Bullying Pledge Club
Nandi’s Anti-Bullying Pledge Club is the charity that started last year under the mentorship of Terolyn Phinsee from Titus Single Parent Mentoring. The club is drawn from Nandi’s experience and her life story.  These experiences motivated Nandi to unite with as many kids as she can so that together they can protect others by stopping the torment. The club’s responsibility is to spread awareness by bringing the message to a larger audience. Its vision is to combat bullying with love by looking at the person next to you and try to understand their story and by inviting peers to be the generation that can change the world in unison, one step at a time.

What is Bullying?
Bullying is any deliberate action that inflicts physical or psychological harm. The behavior must be unwanted, severe or pervasive, and interfere with access to education.  Bullying includes:
VERBAL
Making derogatory comments, teasing, or name calling 
CYBERBULLYING
Sending or posting hurtful or embarrassing e-mails, images, on the internet, via text, or other electronic device or on social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
PHYSICAL
Hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, or shoving
SEXUAL
Humiliating someone because of their sex, gender or sexual orientation (gay, lesbian, questioning, transgender)
SOCIAL
Spreading rumors, isolation, social exclusion, leaving people out, or forcing people to do things they don’t want to do.

Stand up to bullies

• FIGHT BACK Don’t let them control you.
• If you are bullied
  • Tell the person who is bullying you to STOP
  • Get HELP immediately. Tell your parents, teacher, counselor, or principal. Reporting is not tattling or snitching.
  • Do not fight back physically 
  • Be proud of who you are
  • Be strong. Do not show anger or fear. Students that bully like to see that they can upset you.
  • Keep safe. Avoid the situations and people where bullying happens
  • Avoid areas where there are not many students or teachers around
  • Sit with a group of friends at lunch
  • Take different routes through hallways and walk with friends to your classes
  • Get involved. Join clubs, organizations, student groups that promote safety and respect
  • Start a club or anti-bullying campaign to promote peace and tolerance
  • Never share your personal information or give your password to friends

Speak UP!

• IF YOU WITNESS BULLYING …
• If safe, stand up. It only takes one person to make a difference. You can say, “Stop, don’t bother him or her.” Or you could redirect the situation by saying, “Let’s go, the teacher is coming.”
• If you see someone being bullied, don’t join in. If the bully tries to get your help, say no, and walk-away.
• Stop the rumors. Don’t spread rumors. You don’t want anyone talking about you, so don’t do it to someone else! If someone gossips to you, let it end with you - don’t pass it on to others. You can even tell that person you are not interested.
• Tell an adult. Don’t be a bystander and watch while someone is being hurt. Tell an adult about the situations.  It’s not tattling or snitching to keep someone safe.  You can ask the adult to keep your identity private.
• Be a friend. Help the person who was bullied and make sure he or she is okay. Encourage him or her to talk to an adult. You can also invite that person to join you for lunch or other things.

Did You Know?

• These interesting facts, some that you may already know, along with some that will be new and informative!
• Did you know the word bully originated in the 16th century and originally meant “sweetheart”?
• It was in the 17th century that the word’s meaning changed to “fine fellow” and then to “harasser of the weak”.
• Did you know if you search the term “bully,” you will get over 101 million results?
• Many teens want to do something about bullying, but aren’t sure how to take action
• Did you know that nearly 60 percent of bullying situations end when a peer intervenes?
• You can take action by telling the student being bullied they are not alone, inviting them to join you in an activity, or helping them tell someone.
• Did you know that almost 20 percent of high school students reported being bullied at school in the past year?
• If you are being bullied, it’s important to know that no one deserves to be bullied and that you are not alone.
• Did you know that hurtful behavior doesn’t have to be repeated to be considered bullying?
• Anytime a person is intentionally hurt, harmed, or humiliated with words or behaviors, even if it’s a single incident, it is considered bullying.
• Did you know that 70 percent of students report seeing frequent bullying online?
• If you see someone being bullied online you can report it or respond with positive support. Imagine how different the Internet would be if it was filled with positive comments instead of mean ones!
• Did you know that you have the right be safe at school?
• Every state in the nation has a law that prevents bullying in schools, and often includes your school posting and sharing its policy. If you don’t know yours, ask your teacher about it.
• Did you know that you can -and should- develop new skills to have address and prevent bullying?
• Why is this skill important to address bullying? Self-advocacy helps you:
• Gain confidence to take action to stop the bullying
• Identify what help you need
• Ask others to get involved
• Make choices that make a positive difference for you

What you need to know
-You are SMART
-You MATTER
-You are LOVED
-You are WANTED
-You are WORTH it
-You INSPIRE
-You are CELEBRATED
-You are BEAUTIFUL
-You are PERFECT
-You are BRAVE