Stopbullying.gov defines bullying as “unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.” The recent election has shown people in power engaging in all of these behaviors. Last week the New York Times published an article describing some of the ramifications children have experienced due to the perception that bullying behaviors are acceptable. The Southern Poverty Law Center has also reported a significant uptick in anti-immigrant, anti-black, anti-LGBT types of harassment (amongst others) in the days following the presidential election.
As educators, we have the opportunity to be upstanders for our students and their families so that they know they have allies that support them. We get to set the tone for how people are treated, and to teach our children how to be upstanders in school, at home, and in their communities. People who engage in bullying behavior only have power if there isn’t anyone there to stand up against them. Our children and families cannot afford for us to be bystanders in the coming years. We have the privilege of sharing our values of Love and Compassion, Respect and Curiosity, Hope and Courage, and best of all, JOY. As we move forward with our work, we will have to have many hard conversations with children and families about what they see on TV, and what they might experience at school and in their communities. A few resources that can help with having conversations with our school partners and students about bullying and bullying prevention include:
If we see bullying behavior at schools, here are a few basic steps to take:
As educators, we have the opportunity to be upstanders for our students and their families so that they know they have allies that support them. We get to set the tone for how people are treated, and to teach our children how to be upstanders in school, at home, and in their communities. People who engage in bullying behavior only have power if there isn’t anyone there to stand up against them. Our children and families cannot afford for us to be bystanders in the coming years. We have the privilege of sharing our values of Love and Compassion, Respect and Curiosity, Hope and Courage, and best of all, JOY. As we move forward with our work, we will have to have many hard conversations with children and families about what they see on TV, and what they might experience at school and in their communities. A few resources that can help with having conversations with our school partners and students about bullying and bullying prevention include:
- “How to Talk About Bullying” (stopbullying.gov)
- Bullying articles from Teaching Tolerance
- National Bullying Prevention Center
If we see bullying behavior at schools, here are a few basic steps to take:
Encourage teachers to have classroom circles to talk about what to do if students see bullying behaviors. The work we all do to create safe spaces will be invaluable as we move forward. I am honored to work with such an amazing community of people that is dedicated to doing critical work for children and families. We will get through this together.
Blog post written by:
Laura Lin, Unconditional Education Coach
Laura Lin, Unconditional Education Coach
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