Creative Expression Contest Honorable Mention 2006
"No Name-Calling and Bullying" - Essay
By Bleu Marie Williams, Age 9
May Howard Elementary School
Savannah, GA
Teacher: Jennifer Delphine
Jan 06, 2006
It filled my heart with joy to know that everyone is not ignoring the fact that there is a problem with bullying and name-calling. Some people think that it’s okay to call people names and bully them. The truth is, this is a problem that affects everyone, not just children. I am a fourth grade student who feels that the problem of name-calling and bullying needs to stop! When you’re as young as I am, these things hurt and you worry about them. Everyone thinks that I’m tough and I can handle anything because I try not to show it when I’m heart broken. The truth is I know what it takes to protect myself from bullies. You can’t let other people think that you’re weak or that you’re afraid of them. If some people have that perception of you, they will run all over you. You won’t have a moment of peace. They will constantly call you names and bully you.
This year, I don’t have to try to be so tough because my fourth grade teacher is tough enough. She doesn’t tolerate any name-calling or bullying. The first day of school, she made it perfectly clear that everyone would respect each other in our class. I was especially happy when she said that nobody is perfect and we don’t laugh when other people make mistakes. She said the classroom is a place to grow and show our imperfections. I agree with her. Students have enough to worry about besides having to worry with bullying and name-calling.
Some adults say that students have it made because they don’t have a house to take care of or bills to pay. We have other issues! We have to worry about being accepted by peers, doing homework, spending every day with people (students, teachers, and other school staff) who don’t know us and in some cases, don’t care to know us, and passing all kinds of tests to get promoted. Why should we have to worry about name-calling and bullying? It’s not fair.
At my school, the counselor does lessons on bullying and name-calling. This helps a lot. It really helps when teachers constantly remind students of the lessons on name-calling and bullying. This makes the students aware of the fact that someone is watching them. I have been tempted to call people names when I get mad at them, but I think about the lessons and the consequences of my behavior and I settle myself down. I don’t like hurting people’s feelings and I certainly don’t like getting in trouble.
To help deter name-calling and bullying, schools need to address the problem from a student’s perspective. For example, our counselor likes to do a lot of role-playing. She does this with name-calling and bullying. This is good because students can see themselves in other roles. It gives bullies an opportunity to see how others feel when they are being bullied. Sometimes we’re not aware that we’re hurting people until someone or some activity like role-playing brings it to our attention. When we see ourselves through others, we are often ashamed of ourselves. I’m happy that I’m in a school where name-calling and bullying is not ignored.
When I was informed about No Name-Calling Week, I was very excited. However, I feel like this should be a continuous effort. Maybe during the week, schools should schedule activities that will leave a lasting impression on students about name-calling and bullying. Students can perform skits based on real life incidents where people have been physically and mentally hurt as a result of name-calling and bullying. These are the kinds of things that really get the message across. Students will listen and if they’ve been taught good morals and values (like I have), they will think twice before name-calling or bullying someone. This is a problem that must stop! Too many people are getting hurt as a result of this. If the problem is ignored when we are kids, it becomes a bigger problem when we become adults. People begin to think that it’s normal behavior and it’s okay. That’s why we have the problem today because it hasn’t been given the proper attention. This is why the news stations are reporting so many cases of violence.
This week of No Name-Calling and Bullying will be the perfect opportunity for our schools to make an extra effort to make a difference in the lives of students and people in our community. We need to let people know that name-calling and bullying is not acceptable, and it will not be tolerated!
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No Name-Calling Week 2008 is made possible, in large part, by a generous grant from Cisco Systems.