When I was in Kindergarten all the way till 5th grade I got bullied and i never told anyone. It was these two boys that always decided to pick on the quite shy girl of the class. They would always make fun of me and would call me names and push me around. When I was young I had hairy legs and mostly girls wouldnt at my age and by fourth grade they would have shaved and I was the only one who ant allowed. They would call me monkey or gorilla. It would make me so sad that kid this young could bully someone so innocent. One day I told my cousin who was younger then me and i told her to not tell anyone because I didnt want to cause any problem or my mom getting mad at me not telling her. But she did. She told my mom. My mom got so furious that she went to the school and told the teacher and principal and told her they couldnt do anything and but that they would talk to the boys, but they never did. It never stopped. I hated going to school. When I got to middle school I had no friends. I met this one girl and we soon became really good friends and one day we met this boy and I had a big crush on him and she told him he didnt really care. one day i decide to wear shorts to school after 8 years and he and my friend drew a picture and started laughing and I asked them what was so funny and they turn the drawing over and said it was me and it was a gorilla. I started to cry and then I realized she really wasnt my friend . Then on I never trusted anyone. I had friends but kept them not to close. In 8th grade I found this show called "Glee" and it glorified the outcast and it made me feel so accepted and that we are all special in our own ways. Now I have confidence in who I am and who I want to be, and how I want to change the world. Lets take a stand and make a change!

It all started when I was in the first grade! I went to school with a neighbor that started talking about me shortly after starting! Throughout the years it became worse! Well everyday on my way to catch the bus I would have to hide in some bushes to wait for the bus because every time the other kids saw me, they beat on me! In the afternoons I would sit up front so I could be the first one off to get a head start running home! During the summers they would gather together and come to my house to steadily harass me and beat me up given the chance! One time they rang the doorbell and when my brother opened the door they busted in and beat me! Others was a girl that knocked on my door, introducing herself ame asked if i wanted to come out! Thinking I might have a new friend I walked outside and she, to my surprise, hit me square in the face! We fought and I messed her up pretty bad! Her dad told me to apologize to her so I did and we started talking! I asked her why!!! She said her two aunts told her to do it cause they didn't like me! Well the stories go on and on but my status today, I am 42 years old and just got my GED 2 years ago! I'm now a motivational speaker for troubled teens and for the students in GED classes! I am now a published poet and just started putting music to my poetry! My first song is named Bullies & Authorities and is on YouTube! I started writing in 1985 because it was the only way I could get my feelings out! I didn't have parents around to help! My mother was always gone and when I tried talking to her she blamed me, saying if I didn't say something to upset them then they wouldn't be picking on me So writing and singing became my way of dealing with it!!!

when i was little there was a guy that bullied me he threw rocks at me and called me words i have never heard of he bullied me for 2 years when i finally told someone it was my teacher when i told her she asked me"why didn't you tell someone" i told her "i thought i deserved it". this year i have been bullied several times and nothing was done about it. this one football player was touching me i told him to stop several times and i told no one i thought i could handle it myself and a few weeks passed and rumors flew around that he tried to rape me and my best friend told after everyone in the school knew about it i was the last to know when i got home that day and cried my eyes out thinking to myself i should have told someone right after that day i told the principle and he didn't do anything about it. the next year came i was in 7th grade one of my friends called me fat right in front of me and on facebook she used her sister's facebook to message me and i told i was mad at her and 5 minutes later she posted celina is the worst person you will ever meet she is a fake and copies everyone of her friends and she has never been kissed yet and she is still a virgin and she said in a comment i hope u get what you deserve bitch my mom saw it and showed it to the principle the next day she got suspended for a week and when she came back she called me a virgin everyday for that year and the next year she was gone i thought about cutting my self a few times but instead i said in my head you are beautiful and stronger than this so one day i wrote on my wrist that same thing and it got me through that year

In 6th grade, (I'm currently in 7th grade) I got made fun of and called a lesbian. Everyone just thought that since I dressed like a guy that I was one. Then they made fun of me telling people I wanted a sex change. I couldn't take it. I attacked them all one day and they ended up realizing, that isn't who I am. I am just normal like everyone else. This year, everyone says that my best friend is saying things about me wanting a sex change. I know it's not true and she does too. But I cut for a while in between there and then I found out there is a nice place to go. I go to therapy and vent. She listens and I feel free again. I don't feel like I have to impress anyone anymore.

During school I was bullied a lot, as were many children. Today I think back and I honestly don't know how I dealt with it. It may have been the few friends I had made through the years, or the fact I wanted to see better for my sister and the urge to be strong for her. Beyond all of that, I dealt with a lot and I would hate to see any child today going through what I did. I would rather take it all upon myself.

The start of bullying happened in Elementary School. I was quiet, kept to myself mostly, but I excelled at my school work. I loved learning, it was fun for me. This attracted negative feelings from the other students. Whether it was because they viewed me as a threat, or I made them feel some insecurity because I enjoyed learning, I have no idea. The fact is, it started with me being called nerd. After a while being a nerd made me proud, it meant I was smart and I liked being smart, so that became what I was, the smart one. Later on in Middle School I met a bunch of new students from other schools. Our schools mixed together for 7th and 8th grade and that meant I had to mingle with so many others. This is where things changed.

In Middle School things got physical. It started with small shoves here or there. I ignored them, I wanted to stay the peaceful sort. When they saw that it didn't bother me, or at least I didn't let them know it bothered me, they moved on to more things, like shoving me into lockers or even going as far as choking me. All of this was because I was a nerd. I tried going to some teachers about it, or the principal, but nothing really came of it. They would say they would do something, yes they would give a small punishment to those doing something, but the next day it would all happen again. When I was in the office telling them almost every day that someone did something to me the officials got tired of it and stopped doing anything. Both of my parents worked a lot and I couldn't reach out to them, they wouldn't have had time to go to the school anyway. Or at least that's how I felt back then. Luckily I made a friend in Middle School that was somewhat popular and kind of the tough guy. He stood up for me and in turn I gave him the utmost loyalty I could. He held me together. Jeremy thank you for that.

In High School I came out of the closet. I had struggled for years with being homosexual. Because "it was a sin" and it is "wrong" to "choose" that lifestyle. Truth is no one will know what it's like to be gay because they aren't walking in the footsteps of a gay person, and that's what I learned immediately after coming out. A lot of the friends I had made, some close, some not so much, got nervous to be around me. Some turned away from me, others acted differently, and then there were the few that became outright cruel to me. I was ready to let go, but then I would look at my sister and I felt so selfish about it. I didn't want her to be hurt. Alison, my baby sister, saved my life without even trying.

The physicality started up again, sometimes it was so bad to the point I would end up bleeding. I hid this from my parents because I didn't want questions. I felt I suffered enough embarassment, it was so hard to approach anyone after Middle School. After trusting people to take care of me and it just didn't happen. Sometimes it's so much harder to talk than it is to suffer through it, and that's what I feel people need to understand. We live in a world where we only talk about our emotions when someone shows they care and it isn't often done. I feel that we need more officials that will show they care. Have a time where each student gets to talk to someone. Yes there're a lot of students in these public schools, but they're people. They deal with things. Bullies and victims alike. They need someone to talk to. I know I did, I just felt like I didn't have anyone to go to.

Today no, I don't feel sorry for myself anymore. I feel sorry for the ones going through all of the stuff I did or even worse. My aspiration is to become a counselor, just so I can be there for some of these kids. Just so they have someone to talk to. I took the pledge, and I will do something when I see it or hear about it. I won't let bullying go.

Every since I could remember I never liked when others bullied someone. Me, personally from 1st-6th grade never took a stand for those who were getting bullied, even though I never liked it I didn't speak up for those being bullied around. One day in the 7th grade was when I stood up, seeing special need students getting picked on and not being able to stand up for them selves really hurt me, I was tired of being a by stander, seeing poor innocent kids being pushed and picked on wasn't right! So from that day on I stood up for kids being bullied, I started talking and hanging out with bullied kids at school. And to be honest just cause they don't talk, act, dressed or look like these so called popular kids doesn't make them different. These kids are the most kind, generous, loving, understanding friends you could ever meet. They are nothing less than me, you or anybody else in this world. And what made me stand up even more to put a stop to bullies, was meeting and knowing I have a cousin that was Autistic. Knowing that he was getting bullied in school really hurt my feelings, because if you know him, he is the sweetest person you could meet. He is just generous inside and out! Knowing he was being bullied was such a shock to me because he is such a kind helping hand to who ever he sees needs help. I just couldn't take in how cruel others could be. I really thought people were so much better than bulling those who can't stand up for them selves. To me being a bully isn't the coolest thing, bullying others is the lowest you could go and bullying those with special needs is beyond the lowest!! I am here today to Speak Up For Those Who Can't Stand Up For Them Selves, and I would be more than honored to do what I can to put a stop to those who are being bullied!

-SD

I speak for all those who can't when I say words hurt.  I know your pain.  I know what it's like to not want to get out of bed every day.  For nearly three years as a young child I was bullied incessantly.  I was excluded, called all sorts of names (everything from A-Z), and was told I shouldn't even be in school.  I battled with depression because of it and I even have my fair share of scars from cutting to escape the pain.  I moved and became quite popular with the people in my new town and was welcomed and loved; a feeling I hadn't ever experienced. Now, I'm a Sophomore in High School and am doing well.  But looking back to nearly 8 years ago, I can still remember what it was like for the three worst years of my life.  I'm lucky I'm here today.  I speak for those who can't when I say bullying hurts.  Take a stand to stop it.

-B

Ever since I was a kid I never had a ton of friends.  I was always different. I have been overweight my entire life.  I also was the little girl who got dirty & played with Hot Wheels then ten minutes later I would be playing dress up with my Barbies.  I was involved in dance for seven years & you want to know how many friends I gained?  I only had one.  I don't even talk to her anymore.  Throughout elementary school all the way to high school I struggled to create the person I wanted to be.  I felt so alone & as if nobody understood who I was because they couldn't get past my appearance.  They acted as if I was a virus & steered clear of me.  Don't get me wrong I had a tight knit group of friends, but I was still bullied from other people.  Even as an adult now I get bullied by other adults & complete strangers.  Why?  I have no idea why what I look like is bothering them so much they need to make a point to tell me how they feel.  I'm struggling even now to understand people.  When  I turned 18 that's when I changed my attitude.  I do not care what strangers think of me. I'm changing my life for me & nobody else.  I'm 22 years old & I am strong.  I've been through a lot in my life & I don't need anyone telling me how to live or criticizing me.  I have three beautiful nieces & two amazing nephews.  I haven't been there for them as much as I should have & they are all going through so much.  Bullying has been a part of their lives.  They don't know completely of what I've gone through & it's time they know they are NOT alone.  I'm going to do everything I can do help stand up for people like me & anyone who has been bullied.  We will be united. 

At the age of 10 I began cutting because of the troubles going on in a family involving me this continued until I was 11. By that age I was contemplating suicide I thought about since the day I woke up until I fell asleep. I would stay up and just think about all my troubles and how they would disappear. But I waited and waited. Now 16 I realized that I would be giving up the opportunity to start over. I am going to graduate in less than a year and I am moving out of the country. In a sense I am running away from my problems but only to start fresh something that I couldn't do here. Being a student in high school you expect life to be a bit easier as your parents or friends describe it. It's not. I wasn't bullied directly but my "friends" knew who they were hurting. They were always skinnier then I was and always pointing out how they were so fat and it made me feel horrible. I am much curvier than they were so I felt extremely overweight when they talked about it. Some of my family members spoke of me behind my back and my little sister would be the one to tell me. It hurt the most that the people who you were closer with had no problem speaking about you. It would lead me to constantly fight with them and leaving us in bad terms. I myself forgave them not directly but I did because it would only leave me more upset. I pushed people away sometimes leaving me alone with my music. Music seemed to be the only thing from giving up. Many people say that but it's true music is what keeps me strong. I struggled with myself always questioning why I became this way and why I had to be punished like this. After a while I contemplated starving anything that would make me skinny again. It was not easy but I realized that I was giving in to the pressure and not accepting myself. I still don't. But now with my real friends it's much easier to cope and sometimes it's just really difficult. My mom of everyone understands my struggle and continues to support me. She knows what to say and what to do. Even cuddling with her makes me feel happy and safe. 

I was never really bullied throughout school, but I saw it happen almost every day to other kids. There was one kid in particular that I distinctively remember getting followed around and tormented by a group of young boys. I told them to leave him alone and they proceeded to say things to me. I have always had compassion for those who can't defend themselves. We are all God's creation and that's exactly how we should treat each other. I believe in not only helping the victim of bullying, but the bully themself. They obviously have problems too, if they think it's acceptable to torment others with their words of physically. Let's uplift and love each other more. Hate doesn't drive out hate, only love can.