I’ve always been a little hesitant of blog hops/link ups. Personally, and this is JUST my opinion, I blog because I’m passionate about writing. I don’t blog to get comments, or to have a million followers, or to feel self important. Obviously I ADORE my followers, and the thoughtful insights they share with me, and I am so grateful that you have stumbled across my corner of the blogosphere and taken a moment to read about the things I care about, (mixed in with frequent Will Smith dance parties, Adam Levine tangents, and the occasional embarrassing story).

So yes, blog hops/link ups have always made me raise an eyebrow. Now I suppose giveaways are considered link ups (because TECHNICALLY people are linking up to my blog through the giveaway) but currently, I’m not getting paid to promote these products, and I’m not even receiving one to try out for myself. I’m just saying thanks to my readers for being so wonderful. When I decided to host the NALS giveaway, I spent two hours one night after work filtering through independent Etsy shops and graphic designers who I felt represented my blog’s vibe. In other words, I’m not about to partner up with Pajama Jeans or Slap Chop.

I do actually own a slap chop. It’s the bomb diggity, and I’m not giving it away. Sorry.

However, this particular subject is one I feel very connected to. If you’ve been following along you know that I have my degree in English teaching. (If you’re a newbie…HI! Glad you’re here! *Fistbump*). Now I don’t mean teaching English as a second language. I’m talking Shakespeare, creative writing, and teaching you yo’ grammah skillz.

Being a teacher and working in schools, I get to see a lot of things that you (assuming you’re not a teacher) don’t get to see, but probably hear about. If you’re a parent, I not only urge you to stick around for this, but I urge you to participate in what I’m about to propose. Bullying is a trend that has skyrocketed in schools across the country, and after watching a story on the news last night about a young girl who came forth about being bullied in school, I became so enraged that I knew I had to say something.

Here’s the deal. The young girl had complained to the office several times about being bullied. Every day this little girl went home in tears, and her mother called the school to find out what could be done. The situation actually escalated to the point where this little girl, who feared for her life to the extent of staying anonymous on camera, was not only being bullied, but sexually assaulted. In this particular interview, the news reported that the school responded by saying two things:

-That it’s hard to validate bullying reports because you don’t necessarily know whether they are true or not…
-That they take their anti bullying clause in the code of conduct section of the student hand book VERY seriously…

Wait, WHAT?…WHAAAAT?
Just one question…Are you serious? ARE…YOUUUUU…SERIOUS?

First of all that statement is so contradicting, that I don’t even know how to intelligently respond to it, because it’s one of the most unintelligent things I’ve ever heard come from a school. Don’t B.S. the students, the parents, or me like that. I am a teacher, I’ve worked in schools, and I’ve seen and stopped bullying first hand. YOU KNOW when students are being bullied. YOU CAN tell. IT IS obvious. IT IS happening. IT CAN be stopped.

When I make the Carley by night, Miss. B by day transfer (yes, just like Superman), It becomes my duty to keep the kids in my classroom safe. It should be EVERY teacher, principal, aid, and administration member’s duty to keep the kids safe. Let’s look at this realistically; as individuals, we may only get one or two hours with the particular students in our classrooms, but collectively, we spend more time with the students than their parents do. I’m not a teacher because of the RIDICULOUSLY high salary I make (please note the sarcasm), or because I just LOOOOVE having summers off (I mean I guess units and lessons can write themselves). I’m a teacher because I want to give students a positive learning experience in a safe environment. I want the students in my classroom,  from time they walk in, to the time they walk out, to feel safe.  I want them to feel respected and cared about.

I’ve watched bullying occur in hallways, and I’ve watched other teachers turn their backs on it and do absolutely nothing because they mistook it for horsing around. Maybe because I view my students as more than just a name on an attendance sheet, I care more, or maybe because I’m younger I feel closer to this issue. Who knows? When I see a group of high and mighty teenage girls corner a fellow student and call her every derogatory name in the English language, I can immediately tell it’s not “horsing around.” When I see a hamburger go flying across the cafeteria, hitting a mentally disabled student in the face, it is NOT “horsing around.” When I hear a student being made fun of for his sexuality, economic status, or family background, it is NOT “horsing around.”

It is bullying.
Period.

This is not a joke.
This is not a lighthearted issue.
Students across the country are being bullied into suicide.

So if you’re reading this, and you’re a teacher, or an aid, or a principal, I’m going to ask you one question. How would you feel if YOUR daughter was coming home every day in tears? How would you feel if YOUR son was so tormented by his classmates’ words and actions, that he was contemplating taking his own life because he felt worthless?

These are not plastic dolls and hand me down clothes that our children will eventually  grow out of. These are horrific experiences that could potentially stay with them forever, damaging them both mentally, and emotionally.

These children, both the bullied AND the bullies, are the future.
They are learning this cruel behavior and accepting attitude toward it, from US.

Together, as a community, as a nation, we must find ways to end bullying. Zero tolerance needs to start meaning zero tolerance, and not, well there’s not much we can offer except a lecture tolerance. No student should ever have to think, what are they going to do to me today?

I am asking you ALL to link up with me today, tomorrow, or sometime next week. Spread the word. Take a stand. Share a story. If one person does it, and links up, and another person does it and links up, who knows how many people will feel our message and link up? I’m talking to every single person reading this, whether you’re 15, 25, 50, or any age in between. I’m asking you to dedicate one post to the issue of bullying, post the button I’ve included, and link back to this piece, so that people can truly feel and understand that this not a game.  Throughout the week, I will be posting the links to people’s blogs who have written about this issue, so everybody can read everyone else’s responses.

Do it however you want. Are you an artist? Draw something, and scan it. Are you a better speaker than writer? Great, vlog about it, I fully intend to as well. Can you rap all of the words to Fresh Prince of Bel Air? I can too. Write a rap and perform it. Are you a fashion blogger? Make a shirt, take a picture wearing it, and post it on your blog with a description of what it means to you. I am leaving all creative mediums open. Be a part of something bigger than yourself, and do it however you feel comfortable.

Take a stand. Share YOUR story.
It could save somebody’s life.

Be sure to shoot me an email (carley{at}findingravity.com) or leave a comment if you participate, so I know to add your post to my blog, and don’t forget to grab the button below!