The Bullying Saga

The stories are popping up everywhere, it's becoming common place. Recently Rick Mercer ranted about bullying, Lady Gaga, Anderson Cooper, President Obama, and even Big Bird have taken up the fight, but is it enough? I remember bullying being a major problem when I was in school, the difference was not many kids were killing themselves over it for whatever reason. Today it's definitely changed, and the teen suicide rate is ridiculous. How can so many kids be falling though the cracks?

We must be missing something, do we not care enough, is that it? Why is it so difficult for us to hold these bullies accountable for their actions? Can we not have more teachers or school staff patrolling the school grounds? If we don't grab the bull by the horns how do we expect these issues to go away?

I suggest we create a campaign where nobody supports the bully, and there is no way that we accept this individual in society. So often it's the popular kids who do a lot of the bullying, why as adults can we not take that popularity away? If you are a bully, you don't get to participate in anything social at school, and the punishment should be humbling and embarrassing so that the individual can fully understand the impact of their actions. Regardless we need to stop talking about it and become more actively involved.

Hoops for Hopes

I wanted to take a moment to express how thankful and overwhelmed I am with the incredible turnout and support this event received. Michie Mee, Divine Brown, Mark Strong, and so many more made this an awesome event! Thanks to all the attendees, volunteers, participants and organizers! Special mention to Enza and Effie, Youth Assisting Youth, and Sparoways Community Group, you all did amazing. It's great to see what a little time and effort can accomplish! Next year should be even better! Way to go Red team, I knew we could do it! I could always use your continued support and assistance. Come visit me at www.joshuastern.ca and continue to lend a hand!

Quick thought

As I headed to my weekly therapy session with my father something dawned on me and I wanted your opinions. I started to analyze many of the relationships I have with family members and friends, and it became clear how often someone else's opinion of that person could ultimately lead to me judging them based on nothing but others words. The question I ask is simple, if you had someone that you were not particularly a fan of, would you tell someone else that didnt know that individual how you feel about them? Should you tell them that guy is an ass, or should you mention that the 2 of you have struggled to see eye to eye, or that you don't share many things in common? Which do you think would be more appropriate and hopefully lead to less judgement. The point I make is this, maybe if we all tried to not hold everyone so accountable for every action they make, we may just have a more understanding society. Imagine where that could lead!? Please share your thoughts or experiences in this matter.

Where do the Youth go next?

I read this article this morning and decided to quickly vent.

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/Youth-unemployment-risk-capress-1650399567.html?x=0

What are we thinking about? If we keep cutting education, cutting jobs, and cutting programs for at risk youth how will anything change? Obviously if kids believe their future to be bleak, why bother with school or anything! If all the media likes to portray is the end of the world in 2012 and pain, suffering and misery, then should we really be surprised why kids are so disengaged? It's almost as if the powers that be truly want our society to fall apart. How do you bring down a society without war, you make the future generations useless and dreamless!?

Without youth to fight for change and to lead us into the future we don't stand a chance. Maybe if more youth were taught how to work for themselves or become entrepreneurs then the unemployment rate wouldn't look so scary. What if we took more time to communicate with each other we could come up with better ideas as a group! There is always the possibility for change and it comes from within each and every one of us. We must come back together like communities of old and prove that there is strength in numbers and we can make anything happen when we try.

Bullying

We just keep hearing the same stories over and over again and nothing seems to be working. As a former victim of bullying, and now a parent myself, I have a few thoughts on how to deal with this situation. For starters, we need to communicate more often and with less judgement. If a child comes to us even once and we don't listen or even give it the attention necessary, we can lay the foundation for a youngster that doesn't want to share. Believe it or not, this world is a lot more "real" to the kids then it is for adults. Don't shake your head, it's true. They are not bogged down by all the nonsense and distractions that we as adults are. We have always heard that children are more connected with the universe, so wouldn't their feelings of doubt, despair, and fear be severly heightened versus our own? Maybe if we take that into account, things would be a lot better. Check out these articles just to get an idea of what's going on.

http://www.thespec.com/opinion/article/596741--preventing-bullying-starts-with-the-parent

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Police-probe-bullying-after-NY-teen-s-suicide-2183289.php

Hoops for Hopes

I wanted to talk to everyone about a very special event that I have been asked to be a part of. Hoops for Hopes is a Celebrity Charity Basketball Event taking place October 16/2011. The goal is to raise $50,000 for at risk youth.

I couldn't think of a better charity to work with as I obviously believe the youth are the most important. I am looking for any corporate sponsors or assistance in collecting as much money as I possibly can for this event and cause. If any of you would be willing, or know of an individual or company that would be willing to assist me and this great cause I would be extremely grateful. This is a huge event with media coverage so its a win win situation for all who participate. On a personal note, any support you could offer me, which will in turn add to my spotlight, can only assist me in all future endeavors, most importantly Marion's Place.

Please take the time to go to Facebook and join the Hoops for Hopes page. Anything you could do would be incredible, and just think of that youngsters face when he or she finds out they get to go to a day camp next year because you donated something!

Let's all do our part!

Another tragic death: How can parents/schools stop bullying?

Another tragic death: How can parents/schools stop bullying?


As I was just preparing to write a piece on the struggles many may face with the start of another school year, I happened to stumble upon this and I wanted to share it with you. I also am going to ask that anyone who is facing similar struggles, or different ones as well, to please share them as often as possible. The more we all talk about our issues, fears, and so on, we demystify the subject and we lay the foundation for change. I am sure there are many of you out there who are concerned with bullying, sexuality, pressure from teachers & parents, fitting in, and many other issues that students face. I would love to assist you in overcoming some of these feelings as I dealt with them first hand and still do to this day.

Please pass this article along, and let's try to make a difference one person at a time! I know I didn't enjoy hiding in lockers so certain guys couldn't find me to hand me my daily beatings.