I thought about putting my opinion out there about the hot topic of bullying. I found two stories that impacted me and brought me back to days of my own bully moment. I was bullied which is why I wrote my book Fat Haters Club, in which I share my most painful memories in a work of teen-fiction. In my book, I reveal how I overcame being bullied but then in high school I became the bully. After losing the weight due to my eating disorder, I found that anyone who wanted to be my friend just made me angry. In the back of my mind, I kept asking if they would be my friend if I was fat?

The first story line was about that young girl who made the Youtube video and the hateful bashing of this young girl. She is in junior high school, but even adults lashed out on her with viral words. Can anyone imagine being a young girl thinking making a fun video would turn the world against her. How she must feel? How she gets out of bed to go back to school everyday wondering how she will be treated? Makes me sick that people would think it is okay to verbally abuse her using social media. I would like to see those adults out there to look into her eyes and spat out their inability to be compassionate of a young girl. I watched the video and not a song I would have on my ipod, but good for her for trying. What should have been said is that may not be my favorite, but good for you for taking a chance at such a young age. Social media seems to bring out the meanest of people since it is easy to be rude, judgmental, and outright cruel with no consequences. I say shame on the treatment of this young person. Sometimes, it takes more than one try to become a successful person. My hope is that she try again and gets that contract, makes millions, and can show those nasty people out there that she is deserving of her dream. Make your own decision, check out the story:

Never ceases to amaze me how cruel young people and even adults can be. This is a young girl who is being treated negatively over a song? If you don’t like it then don’t listen to it. If the treatment of this 8th grader is a representation of Americans then no wonder we are in the state we are in. Grow up people!

Ironically, a boy stands up for himself and dumb media and psychologists say that violence is never good, unless you are the one being bullied. There has been centuries of learning how to stand up for yourself. Even on on Andy Griffith Show:

Andy learns Opie is being terrorized by a loca bully, who threatens him with pulverization until he gets Opie’s lunch money. Andy decides to let Opie fight this battle on his own. Opie goes to face his nemesis, and Andy suffers as he waits for his son to return. Opie returns to the courthouse as the better man–he won the fight for his rights.

Well, I didn’t stand up for myself until 9th grade and contemplated suicide myself which is a scenario in my book, so no wonder so many understood what this boy was trying to do when he said No More!

Bully article

Follow-up bully story

Just for fun, I googled about kids and young people doing good since seems the negative makes headline new. I found some inspiring stories which I am sure there are thousands more out there. Check out what should be headline news:
Kids helping Haiti

Kids Making a Difference in the World

Kids Helping Troops

Kids Working Hard to Help Troops and Their Families

Genius boy story

Wish there were more focus on the good people do each day no matter the age, so hope this gets people thinking about saying something nice instead of trying to break down the spirit of someone else. Like parents used to teach their kids: “If you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything at all.” Very wise statement :)

DDF