Daryl Wood's Blog

I’m tired of hearing people complain about bullying among our young people. Of course I am outraged that it takes place. Of course I am heartbroken that a child, or anyone, would take their own life rather than face the humiliation that bullies dish out. Of course I am increasing frustrated with the range of tactics and unbelievable lack of sincere remorse from the bullies.

But I wonder how many people who feel the same way are sitting in front of a television, or movie screen or computer monitor laughing at the bullying that is passed off as entertainment. Don’t show images day after day of people insulting, embarrassing, harassing, making fun of, and diminishing someone else without expecting to see that same behaviour repeated AND sometimes exemplified in our world. Don’t spread gossip, disguised as information, that in any way hurts someone.

We can’t have it both ways. If it’s not okay to call a teenager a loser then it’s not okay to make men the butt of jokes in tv commercials. If it’s not okay to pick on a child because their clothes are ill-fitting then it’s not okay to portray women as hysterical. Think people. What on earth are we doing making fun of anyone! I mean … really?

I’m sick and tired of the lack of respect and courtesy and kindness that we all deserve; that would change our world in a heartbeat if only each one of us would have the courage to take responsibility for how we treat others. And maybe it starts with our own self-worth. We are bombarded with messages that we aren’t enough so it’s inevitable that we feel ‘less than’. And I am so angry that I, and a lot of other people, have been taught that you can make yourself feel better by putting someone else down. We don’t have that right.

I’m not perfect and God knows I am doing what I can to change my ways. Are you?