Spreading Like Wildfire:
Take a Stand Against Bullying
by Payton Sherwood | Class of 2019 | April 30, 2018
Bullying is like a wildfire that leaves a wake of devastation behind it. It starts with a spark, something small, like a glare in the hallway. Over time, those dirty looks begin to feed the fire. Soon it grows into something much bigger, something that becomes out of control.
Just as it takes more than one firefighter to stop a wildfire, it takes more than one person to stop bullying.
The Bully
We all have those days, weeks, or even months where life just doesn’t seem to be going our way. How we handle those circumstances tells a lot about our character, and the type of person we are going to become. Stop using your circumstances as an excuse and treat others with respect.
The Victim
If you have jumped through the hoops of letting an adult know about your bully and nothing seems to be changing, kill that bully with kindness. I know that this might seem like a seemingly impossible task, you can, and should, do it. By seeing that the continuous name-calling, teasing, or taunting has no effect on you, you instantly strip the bully of the power that he or she has against you.
The Upstanders
You are the ones who make the real difference in our fight against bullying. By standing up for others against a bully, you become the victim’s shield. Standing up isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but that’s what makes your job so important. That’s why we need more people like you. You’re doing the right thing. Be selfless and ceaseless.
The Administration
Bullying does not just occur in high school. It could be happening in any grade. In creating a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, you have set rules to prevent such actions from happening. This, however, is not a permanent solution. In every policy, there seems to be loopholes and exceptions. That is why I implore you to consistently take a deeper look into any report of name-calling, taunting, and teasing, and to not be tempted to write them off as “typical adolescent cruelty”.
With time all fires eventually burn out. In taking these necessary steps, we can all play a part in putting out this devastating wildfire.