After being bullied in elementary school, Morgan, a 19-year-old college student from Georgia, is now on a mission to stop bullying.
Here’s what Morgan wrote to us recently:
“I was bullied in elementary school because I was short and different. Kids would spread rumors about me, call me names and tease me. I told the teachers what was going on but nothing was being done and the bullying got worse. I started to come home from school crying and I would even be crying when my parents dropped me off at school. So, I told my parents what was going on, they did something about it, and things got better. No one deserves to be bullied. I want people to know that they’re not alone and that things will get better. If you or someone you know is getting bullied let someone know. After experiencing getting bullied I am taking a stand against bullying. I am on a mission to stop bullying.”
We were so happy to hear from you, Morgan. It takes courage to share your story, but we believe it’s so important to do so. Many bullied kids feel like no one can relate to them or understand what they are going through. The more we share our experiences, the more likely it is that we’ll bring hope to someone who really needs it.
When Theatre of Peace got together last weekend, we talked about what you shared with us. Here’s what a few of us wanted you to know:
Alli
I’m so glad to hear that you, like us, are taking a stand against bullying. I hope you can reach out to people at your school and help them, too, like we’re doing here in San Diego. And I hope you connect with us on social media. There’s a lot we can do out there.
Jolie
I can really relate to what you went through. A girl at my school who was much taller than me used to pick on me all the time about being short. I was one of the shortest in my class, and I was also the new girl. It happens to so many people, and that’s why it’s so important to talk about it. I think it would be great if you kept in touch with us, and we can all keep spreading the word about how things really do get better.
Shane
Morgan, it’s really great to hear your story. I’m in college, too, and I was also bullied when I was growing up. I think the most powerful thing about having been bullied – and now being older and looking back on it – is that we have the opportunity to be role models for younger kids. We’re living proof that it really does get better, and people need to hear that. That’s why it’s so important for us to speak up, like you did, and take a stand against bullying. We can be great examples that no matter what has happened to you, you can still do great things with your life. With the internet and social media, we can reach anyone, anywhere and help them. We have to get our stories out in the open. The only way we are going to get it to stop is if we talk about it and share our experiences.
I also want to just comment about how cool it is that you’re in Georgia, and we’re in California, we’ve connected, and we have the same mission: to stop bullying. There’s never been a better time for us to make a difference, and conversations like these will help us change things for the better.
Shelby
I’m so glad you shared your experience with us and so sorry to hear about what you went through. Like Alli, Jolie, and Shane were saying, it would be great to have you connect with us on social media so we can keep the conversation going and share ideas about what worked for you and what’s worked for us.
Lexie
Even though your experience with bullying was awhile ago in elementary school, it might still make sense to be proactive on your college campus. You might already be doing things like this, but maybe consider forming something like a “No Place for Hate” club on campus or even doing something simpler like reaching out to someone who looks like they might be having a rough time.
David
I’d like to ask: what did you do to help yourself overcome being bullied? Or what was it that your parents did that helped you and made things get better? I mean, the kids out here are lucky that there’s Theatre of Peace; we can go to their schools and help those kids. But programs like ours don’t exist everywhere. So, was there some kind of program at your school that helped, or was it just you and your parents trying to make things right? I think it would be great to hear what worked for you.
Amy Jones Anichini, Executive Director, Theatre of Peace
Morgan, like many of the members of Theatre of Peace said, I’d also love to hear more about what you did to overcome being bullied and what you’re doing to curb bullying in your community. Feel free to leave a comment below, send us another email, or connect with us on social media (links should be at the bottom of the page.)
Thank you again for reaching out to us. I think it’s incredible that you’re using what you experienced to take a stand against bullying and to help others. The best way to bring about real change and end bullying is by sharing our experiences and refusing to be defined by the negative things that have happened to us.
All the best! ~ Amy and Theatre of Peace