“One of the biggest problems we have...
which we believe is the core reason for bullying in this country, is that New Zealand has a culture that is suspicious of ‘difference’. It has a blinkered, conservative view of people who are different, in which misinformation equals ignorance... We need to become a compassionate community whose members want to look after each other... If people know more about how it feels to be the other person, then they are going to have greater intuition in knowing how to deal with and behave toward others.” No, it’s not ok – how to stop the cycle of bullying, 2009.
Why not start a “(different) and proud” selfie movement aka #beyourselfie to recognise each other’s beauty instead of attacking each other for our differences! Set up an event where everyone can come and create their own 'beyourselfie'... Each person holds up a sign saying something that is different about them followed by the words ‘and proud’, take photos and post them online, have a wall in the school or community somewhere that they can be put up and viewed all year, put them in the notices etc. Let's take the power AWAY from bullies!
To do List...
To do on the Day...
An Example Assembly Speech...
Speaker 1
“Friendships, expectations, bullying, negativity, social media. These are problems that we go through every day and for some reason are often accepted as “just a part of normal teenage life” and that “we just have to get over it” – except that’s not true – there IS a better way of living and we don’t have to put up with these negative issues.”
Speaker 2
“We now have a challenge for you! We know that one of the biggest problems we have, and which we believe is a huge reason for bullying and similar issues, is that the world has a culture that is suspicious of ‘difference’. It has a close-minded, conservative view of people who are different, which can cause ignorance… We want to become a compassionate school where differences and diversity aren’t seen as sources of division, but of strength and inspiration”
Speaker 3
“So we’re holding a #beyourselfie day next (insert date) at lunchtime & challenge you to help us recognise everyone’s differences as a positive, rather than as something to attack each other for. We’ll be starting a new #beyourselfie trend on (insert name) facebook/Instagram/twitter page, where your “something different and proud” photos will be posted. We will also be creating a wall in the school (or workplace etc) where these can be put up. Be a part of this movement to stand up against oppression! All you need to do is think about what makes you different and special... Rather than hiding your differences, we want to celebrate them – celebrate what it means to be YOU.”
Speaker 4
“For me I would write “short (add your own examples) – and proud (holding up the ‘AND PROUD’ sign)” or “(example) - and proud”. There will be example posters around the school of differences that we have chosen to celebrate in ourselves, things that at one point have been called out in a negative, bullying way, but that are actually awesome because they make us – US! Come to (insert room or area) at lunchtime next Tuesday with your word and be part of this epic movement! There will be prizes for the class that has the most students take part, for the most creative and for the most honest photos.”
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