Bullying - Don't do it
bully noun
bul·ly | \ ˈbu̇-lē , ˈbə- \
plural bullies
1: a blustering, browbeating person
especially : one who is habitually cruel, insulting, or threatening to others who are weaker, smaller, or in some way vulnerable
bully verb
bullied; bullying
1: to treat (someone) in a cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive fashion : to act like a bully toward
bullied her younger brother
2: to cause (someone) to do something by means of force or coercion
was bullied into accepting their offer
In Our Story
In parts of our Story, Dear Readers, there is Bullying.
Did you notice it as it was happening? When the animals meet Roz? What was their behavior towards her? How did they treat her?
They judge her before getting to know her. They bully her. The animals bully Roz because she’s different from all of them.
If you could talk to the animals, what would you say to them about their behavior towards Roz?
Luckily, Roz is a robot and she has no emotions.
But Peter Brown, our author, is hoping that us as readers - and as humans - have feelings. He hopes we feel the hurt Roz should be feeling.
Us feeling Roz's hurt is called Empathy.
What would you say to Roz to help her feel better? (If she could feel, of course)
What is Bullying really?
Why do Bully's do the Bullying?
Bullying is when someone is picked on by a person or group. Bullies might make fun of people who they think don't fit in.
What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider? Who decides who is an Outsider?
Bullies might make fun of others for many things, including:
*appearance (how someone looks)
*behavior (how someone acts)
*race or religion
*social status (whether someone is popular)
*sexual identity (like being gay, lesbian, or transgender)
Kinds of Bullying
Bullying can come in different types:
*Physical bullying is when bullies hurt their targets physically. This might be shoving, tripping, punching, or hitting. Any form of touching that a person does not want can be bullying and is inappropriate.
*Verbal bullying is taunting or teasing someone.
*Psychological bullying is gossiping about or excluding people to make them feel bad about themselves.
*Cyberbullying is when bullies use the internet and social media and say things that they might not say in person. This can include sending mean texts, posting insults about someone on Twitter, or making rude comments on their Instagram pictures. Cyberbullies also might post personal information, pictures, or videos designed to hurt or embarrass someone else.
Effects on Others
What Are the Effects of Bullying?
Bullies often pick on people over and over again. This can make teens:
*feel afraid, stressed, depressed, or anxious
*have thoughts about suicide or hurting themselves
*have trouble with their schoolwork
*have problems with mood, energy level, sleep, and appetite
What if you are being Bullied?
There are many things that you can do if you're being bullied or know someone who is. You can:
Tell a trusted adult. Adults in positions of authority, like parents, teachers, or coaches, often can deal with bullying without the bully ever learning how they found out about it.
Ignore the bully and walk away. Bullies like getting a reaction. If you walk away or ignore them, you're telling them that you don't care.
Walk tall and hold your head high. Using this type of body language sends a message that you're not vulnerable.
Don't get physical. You're more likely to be hurt and get into trouble if you try to fight a bully. Work out your anger in another way, such as exercising or writing it down (make sure you delete or tear up any emails, posts, letters, or notes you write in anger).
Try to talk to the bully. Try to point out that his or her behavior is serious and harmful. This can work well if you notice that a member of your own group has started to pick on or shun another member.
Practice confidence. Practice ways to respond to the bully verbally or through your behavior. Practice feeling good about yourself (even if you have to fake it at first).
Talk about it. It may help to talk to a guidance counselor, teacher, or friend — anyone who can give you the support you need. Talking can be a good outlet for the fears and frustrations that can build when you're being bullied.
Find your (true) friends. If you've been bullied with rumors or gossip, tell your friends so that they can help you feel safe and secure. Avoid being alone, especially when the bullying is happening a lot.
Stand up for friends and others you see being bullied. Your actions help the victim feel supported and may stop the bullying.
Join your school's bullying or violence prevention programs. Peer mediation is another way you may be able to work things out with a bully. If your school doesn't have these programs, start one of your own.
What if you ARE the Bully?
Some people bully to deal with their own feelings of stress, anger, or frustration. Bullies might also have been bullied and now want to show their power by bullying someone else.
If you have bullied someone:
*Try talking to a trusted adult to talk about why you have become a bully. Ask them for some advice on how you could change.
*Try thinking of how the person being bullied feels. Imagine how you would feel if you were the target. Consider apologizing and making things right.
Even though people are different, it's important to treat everyone with respect.
Make a Mindful Choice
Before making any decision, or engaging in any behavior, mindful individuals take time to pause and reflect and listen to their inner selves assessing their own values and objectives. Decision-makers who fail to link decisions with their major goals may find their choice takes them somewhere they don't necessarily want to be.
The most important lesson Roz learns is that kindness can be a survival skill.