Editor: The original Pink Shirt Day was organized in 2007 by two grade 12 students named David Shepherd and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia, who bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after Grade 9 student Chuck McNeill was bullied for wearing a pink polo shirt during the first day of school at Central Kings Rural High School in Cambridge, Nova Scotia.
That year, former Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald proclaimed the second Thursday of September (aligning with the start of each school year) as “Stand Up Against Bullying Day” in recognition of these events.
In 2008, then-Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell proclaimed Feb. 27 to be the provincial Anti-Bullying Day.
In 2009, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada worked on pink T-shirts that said “Bullying Stops Here” and “Pink Shirt Day” for Anti-Bullying Day.
In May 2009, New Zealand celebrated its first Pink Shirt Day.
Pink Shirt Day is a reminder that we can be better; that respect, kindness, recognition of others and life is not for us to judge, ridicule or disrespect.
Ask an educator or a leader of children what is the number one answer when addressing inappropriate behaviour and/or remarks, and the answer is “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, I was just having fun.”
No, obviously the victim did not respond that way, to just fun.
In children who we are trying to teach to be better and to understand we are all different, maybe it’s like many parts of life at a young age and it becomes a teachable moment.
It doesn’t work with adults. We should obviously know better?
Certainly some world leaders have contributed against the anti-bullying movement and allowed racism, homophobia, prejudice, misogyny, sexual discrimination and poverty discrimination because of their views, history and status.
Why point this out?
I am aware of people telling me I will never stop the inappropriate behaviour.
I am aware of people’s prejudices, and discomfort with much in our world.
I am aware of good people who think they don’t bully.
And yet in work places and in some friends circles, they express their opinions, positions of leadership, and they practice bullying. I have adult friends who are subjected to the bullying, and disrespectful behaviour.
An educator would rather investigate a fight between two people and usually come to a consensus on a point of disagreement as to how the altercation started and correct.
Bullying is being practiced under the radar, not wanting to be discovered and usually for extended periods of time, because they – victims – are different. “We don’t like them and our mindset says we’re better,” so the bullies subject the person to bad behaviour.
We all have faults. I know I do. My point is we can change. We can be better.
It will take all of us, not just the children, the young, and symbolic days.
We can start with positive thoughts and action for all and not dwell on the overwhelming negative in our world.
All of us should and so easily can recognize the world is beautiful because we are all different.
Mike Neuts
MCBN
