Think about it… Every bully is being bullied.
I know this, because I was a victim of both and I hate myself for it.
I hate that I was being laughed at for being chubby, my entire life.
I hate that I did not stand up for myself.
I hate that I took out my anger on others.
I hate that I was a bully.
Maybe these folks have forgiven me, for being a coward and preying on the weak. If not, please take this as my apology.
I think I’m lucky, and got off pretty clean. Unfortunately, lots of victims of bullying don’t. I can’t even imagine what bullying looks like in 2016. Between social media and mobile technology, there are a plethora of weapons available to bullies. According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 40% of Canadian workers experience bullying on a weekly basis and 47% of Canadian parents report having a child victim of bullying. But if we all speak up, we can put an end to this non-sense.
I give you the #PinkShirtPromise campaign, a cause that is very close to my heart. Thanks to Post-it® and Bayshore Shopping Centre, Ottawa will embark on an initiative to end bullying in Canada from February 17-24, 2016.
During that week, Bayshore shoppers are invited to post their personal pledge of kindness to the Pink Shirt Promise installation in centre court, and inspire others to end bullying using the social media hashtag #PinkShirtPromise.
For every pledge posted, Bayshore will donate $0.25 to DIFD (Do it for Daren), a youth-driven initiative focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health. By February 24 – Pink Shirt Day – the objective is to have the installation adorned entirely in pink Post-It pledges.
Also, when you post your promise on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram you get entered for as chance to with an ET Canada Experience, which includes flights for two to Toronto and two nights hotel accommodation, and a $1,500 dollar shopping spree at Bayshore Shopping Centre!
Please join me and spread the love!
Created by Shaw Communications, #PinkShirtPromise is an initiative for social change in support of the bullying prevention movement in Canada aligned with Pink Shirt Day.
And in case you need a pink shirt, feel free to browse some of these awesome finds!