Committee for Children Blog

Let’s Make Sure It Gets Better

Today's blog post is by client outreach representative Carrie Thomas.

Carrie ThomasI have been glued to the recent media attention about bullying and the lives that have been heartbreakingly lost. It is about time we focused some real attention on this issue. I think the “It Gets Better” Project has brought to life the seriousness of the issue, and I applaud and admire all who have contributed their stories to highlight just how real it is.

Here is my story: I wouldn’t have called myself part of the popular crowd, but I did a pretty good job of blending in. I was the quiet kid in class; I did well in school, played with my friends at recess and tried to stay inconspicuous in any regard, and most of the time it worked. Ironically, my judicious plan made me a target; a pawn for the class clowns and the mean kids.

When I was in fourth grade, Forrest, who was a fifth-grader, came up to me in the hallway and pinned me up against the wall, shaking me so hard I was afraid he would seriously hurt me. My friend Hannah, who was a head taller than me, pulled him off. Later that day, Forrest’s teacher sought me out and told me to stay out of his way, implying that I had caused the incident.

As a seventh-grader, I had to make up some homework during lunch. The entire lunch period I sat three feet from the teacher while the five other kids in the room teased me for my glasses and round baby-face. While I was too proud to show them that it bothered me, inside it killed me, mostly because the adult in the room did nothing to protect me or to stop the kids who were teasing me.

These are only two stories of the many I could tell. But the thing is, I didn’t even have it that bad, not even mildly bad in comparison to some of the other kids. But I did experience enough bullying to know that it hurts.

Yes, I survived. I grew up and moved on; I have a great family and friends and I love my job! My point is this: It DOES get better. But, there needs to be more than just waiting and enduring until it gets better.

The “It Gets Better” stories highlight that we aren’t alone. They highlight that we can survive. They highlight and remind me that more needs to be done to stop the hurt. We can no longer stand by and tell people to “stay out of the way” or sit a few feet from the teasing and watch it all unfold; this issue requires action. So, as we listen to and watch all of these stories and remember our own, let’s take it beyond our concern and compassion for the situation. Let’s DO something about it!

You can start by checking out our Web site or calling us. We can help you take the first step to stop bullying.