They say be the change you wish to see in the world... well, too many times "they" can speak the words but not be the action that so many of us needed. I was a normal kid growing up - had friends and was liked by the kids in my class... until middle school. 5 elementary schools combined on the first day to introduce us to new friends and new torturers... not exactly what a meet and great should be, but what it was. That day began the obstacle course of avoiding the cliques, harassers, bruise-makers and hair pullers that would leave small areas on my scalp bald and welts on my arm from science class, where the teacher told us to "get over it" and could he "move on with the lesson" now that I had interrupted him... for 3 years I bided my time. Friends formed alliances against the cruel jokes and pranks, became more than pals but allies against the school bullies. Bullies smart enough to be in our same classes, but too cruel to care about our emotions or skin cells... 540 days of torture that we trudged through... just to get to high school and have some distance... just to have a gasp of freedom from their mocking eyes and demeaning laughter ... just to be stuck in the same classes but with more kids... even a few feet more was better by that time. 

I now am a middle school teacher and will not put up with the very things that made my days a living hell. Every person has a voice and a right to respect. I will challenge the child that thinks harassment is funny, I will confront the parent who blames another child for not standing up to their own, and I will not go quietly into that good night which threatens to be dismissive of the hurt and ache of so many. 

Small school or not... I will be the change I once needed and that my students may one day need.

We are all a change in progress, what will cause you to change and make one happen?

My brother and I are 9 years apart, which is a pretty large gap but it never stopped us from being extremely close. We are all each other has. As an older sister I learned how to be a motherly supportive figure in my younger brother's life early on but realized later that there are some things that even I cannot protect him from. I started noticing changes in my brother starting in the fifth grade. For a person who is always positive and smiling, a dark cloud hung over my brother's head that began sending red flags up in the air. I tried asking him if there was something he wanted to discuss or if there was something bothering him at school but he just gave me a halfway smile and claimed there was nothing wrong. So I listened to him and believed he was fine. Then I started noticing he never really talked about friends anymore or anything interesting that was happening at school. He used to tell me everything from how the birds were chirping so loudly in the morning to what the teacher's socks were that day. But all the cheerfulness was gone, all the energy and life of my baby brother drained. And as a sister, I was more concerned than ever. I started noticing an apathy that was hard to describe and finally after a few months, I saw it with my own eyes. A huge bruise on his arm and I could not help but burst into tears. Someone was hurting my brother and I did not even know. He told me about the daily tormenting at school and the other boys calling him fat and a fag for joining chorus. He told me they would push him in the bathroom and make his friends not talk to him because he was a faggot. He said he doesn't have friends anymore and that it was okay because his best friend was me and that was all he needed to be happy. He told me he didn't want me to worry and that if he kept quiet it would eventually go away. I was furious that anyone could do that to my brother but let alone a child. I knew that during my childhood, it was a different kind of verbal bullying that damaged my self esteem until mid-high school but never in my life was I ever touched or physically hurt. And so I pulled my brother in close and held him the tightest I could and told him that I would always be his friend but first I am his sister. I know there are people out there going through the same thing. I know there are siblings, children, neighbors, friends that have to go through this everyday and it hurts. If someone you love is going through this, don't ever back down from the cause. We can fight bullying and we can prevent it. There are ways to discuss this in a healthy way and make sure it does not happen again. I am joining this cause to defend my brother and to defend all those loved ones out there that have to go this pain. We can do this together, for my brother, for you, for all of us. I am grateful for the things the Bully Project does and I will continue to support this cause!

I'm 24 now, in college, working and I'm about to graduate from Nursing school. I have a loving boyfriend and a close circle or friends who I trust, admire and love. But, when I was in 7-10th grade... I didn't think any of that was possible. I was skinnier then and quieter too. I was that shy, sensitive girl in the class who drew weird things and didn't really know what to say when someone tried to talk to me. A lot of girls thought I was weird because I didn't talk to them, as i'm sure some people think that today as well. All I wanted was to be bubbly and outgoing like all of the cute little asian girls at my school. Maybe so that a boy would notice me. Maybe so i'd just have some more friends. But girls can be mean, and girls would spread rumors about me. They'd say that I didn't talk out loud because all I knew how to do was talk shit behind people's backs. I was also darker than the other girls, as I have a natural tan. For some reason, it's the number one thing people point out and/or make fun of. "why are you so dark? aren't you ASIAN? HA HA HA." They hurt me and because I was so shy, I didn't know how to defend myself. A group of girls started a xanga about me (which is now deleted): called xanga.com/krystle_sucks. They called me "cry baby" and told me that I suck. That i'll never have any friends and "no one even likes you." They didn't even bother to make themselves anonymous when they talked shit and to this day, I remember all of their names. For a while, I had trouble trusting anyone, had such low self esteem and felt no self worth. I hated anyone who looked like, acted, associated or even reminded me of all the people that hurt me.

Until one day... I realized that those popular kids, the ones I hated but wanted so badly to be accepted by, wouldn't matter anymore. They wouldn't be popular once they hit college because no one will know who they are. College. A time to start over. When in college, I did encounter some of the same problems but at that point, I just didn't care anymore. I was on the way to finishing my degree and become an RN. I didn't have the time or the patience for anyone who'd tell me I was any less than who I KNOW I am. I'm strong, passionate and loved. I've grown to love my tan, even though there is the occasional nerve that gets touched when someone makes a snarky remark about how dark I am. I'm not exactly skinny, but I love my curves (sometimes lol) and I have an unwavering compassion for any kid or adult who's gone through what i've gone through (or worse). More importantly.. I've forgiven my bullies. Maybe not to their face, but I've put aside whatever reason they had for bullying me and told myself that life isn't worth dwelling on the past.

I am picked on by my so called friends because I am short. The tormenting started in 1st grade when I didn't think much of it. When I hit about 4th Grade the bulling started. I would always laugh or smirk at it because I didn't want to cry. What sucks I am starting Middle School next year in a new city on the other side of the country. I know I will be bullied next year. I hope I can stand up for myself or have someone else help me stand up for myself

Bullying at Mendocino K-8…Stand Up and Speak Out. 

I can't bear to hold this in any longer! The Mendocino K-8 school is not just heartless but also vindictive! My child was bullied so badly for 3 years (3^rd through 5^th grade) that we took her from the school and began homeschooling.  This, despite going through the school’s "zero tolerance for bulling" and getting zero results.  My daughter began therapy because the damage to her self esteem was so dangerously low.  

A year into homeschooling she built up enough courage to attend a school dance.  I contacted the principal at the time, Jason Morse, and he gave permission for my daughter to attend dances.  She went with her head held high. Her bravery brought me to tears. Fast forward 2 years and, having attended 8 dances, my daughter now has the desire to go back to a brick and mortar school - High School!

Let me just get to the point – At the April 26^th, 2013 dance, my daughter was assaulted by another student due to my daughter’s religious views. I felt it necessary to make an incident report with the Mendocino K-8 Principal Kim Humrichouse.  I spoke with Kim on May 10^th 2013.  Instead of responding with “Is she OK?”, “I’m sorry this happened…” To my surprise, Kim responded with "Your daughter can no longer come to school dances because she is home schooled.”  What?! I told her that this call was regarding an assault on my daughter.  Kim’s response was to ban my daughter from her 8^th grade Graduation Dance - the last dance at Mendocino K-8.  

Hoping to have Kim’s decision reversed, we made phone calls to Jason Morse (now the Superintendent of the K-8 school) pleading for permission.  I was told by Mr Morse, he spoke with their “Legal Department” and their decision was that my daughter could not attend the Graduation Dance!!!  I'm not sure about you but my heart hurts!

I stand with my daughter in the fight against bullying. 

Lynette Short

Caspar, California

www.facebook.com/BullyingAtMendocinoK8

When I was in the 6th grade 4 grades all chanted "we hate shelly" witch is my nickname. People say words can't hurt you but that not true at all I'm in 10th grade now and the words that were said to me about 5 years ago still affect me today... 

However we all have to stand up for each other bullying is not okay and we have to try and put an end to it! If you or someone you know is sad and feels like they have no friends or no one who understands go to Fizzyfamily.com an online family who accepts everyone for who they are, share the love <3 -Michelle 

 Frig those " FRIENDS " who left you .

Frig that asshole who hurt you .

Frig that bitch who can't keep her mouth shut about you,

Frig that bully you hurt you .

Frig that person who lied to you.

Frig those people who broke their promises.

Frig two-faced people.

Frig people who spread rumors.

Frig those people who make you cry .

Frig those bullys who won't back off ..

Frig those bullys who don't know who you really are.. you never judge someone by their looks  if you really get to know them you might like them ..

Hi, I'm Casey Washington. I am 13 year old 7th grade student. I have been a victim of bullying ever since the beginning of 7th grade year. I am a little underweight. I weigh 87lbs when I should weigh about 95 or 100lbs. Since the beginning, people have been calling me anorexic, ugly, etc. The first Monday of spring break a rumor was started that I sent naked pictures to my ex. I never did, and I wouldn't do that. It got around on facebook and instagram. When I came back to school, I got called a whore, slut, hoe, bitch every single day. I only had one friend, Michelle. Michelle had helped me through everything. Eventually, people started believing me and talking to me again. After a while, this guy posted a status about me on facebook and people started believing the rumor again. I then lost every single one of my friends, even Michelle. I would come home from school everyday crying. I cried 24/7 at school. Sometimes I skipped classes because I couldn't face the people who were in them. I sat alone at lunch, or sometimes I would go sit in my teachers class room and talk to her. She was then the only person I felt comfortable with. I then made a new friend and he was the only person I talked to. If someone called me a name, he would back me up. It is now the end of 7th grade year and things have gotten a little better. I now have a few more friends, I no longer sit alone at lunch and I havent been called a name in a while. I fought through my battles and I know everyone else can too.

Hi, I am a junior in high school. Since I was born I have been over weight. I was teased and picked on from elementary school up until my freshman year. I was called so many different names. After awhile it started to affect my grades. I had to realize that children are mean and evil. Children want to fit in. Sometimes you have to be your own best friend. You have to keep your head up and held high. I haven't been bullied the most, but I have been bullied enough! I want every person to know that they are beautiful inside and out. Don't let people bring you down. I want to encourage you to keep moving. Don't give up. Don't commit suicide! Ignore the ignorance and try to keep your head held high!

I was adopted in 1989 at the age of 8 years old By a wonderful love caring family! I am now 32 years old married and a mother of 2 handsome little boys!!! I was called everything under the sun... REJECT LOSER FAG BITCH WHORE(by kids my age) They would say MY PARENTS DIDNT WANT me cuz i was UGLY! And in 1990's NO ONE Knew or UNDERSTOOD BULLYING like they do know!! I was picked on for everything from a hair cut to the clothes i was wearing to the food i was eating for lunch!!! Kids who i thought were "FRIENDS" just befriended me so that they can MAKE FUN of me with the rest of the BULLIES!!!  My parents were always supportive and stood by me when ever i had a problem at school but school, teachers and  board of Ed DID NOTHING about the bullying and it didnt not stop til i PUNCH a boy in his mouth for making fun of me!!! I STOOD MY GROUND and my parents STOOD behind me 100%! Still to this day i teach my children it is NEVER ok to BULLY others and if u see others being BULLIED do the RIGHT thing and STAND UP and tell an adult teacher/ principal!! Verbal or Physical BULLYING is never ok! My son is in 1st Grade and sees BULLYING everyday and hes a STAND UP KID and tells the right people so things dont continue!!!