I cut my hair for ‘Locks of Love’ last week. Twelve inches pulled back into a pony tail and snip, it’s on its way to a child who may not be able to afford a wig after treatment for a devastating illness. I look at hair like I look at blood: A renewable resource.
While having my hair cut, my hairdresser mentioned that she was leaving for the 2013 NO BULL Teen Video Awards as a volunteer hair and make-up artist. Okay, she had me hooked and I wanted to learn more from this selfless woman.
Directed by Sundance and Emmy award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, Bully is a beautifully cinematic, character driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America’s bullying crisis. Bully follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on the school bus. With an intimate glance into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.
I truly cannot say that I enjoyed this film. But once in a while I need to see films like Bully. We all do. Without someone or many someones bringing issues like this to the surface, where would we be? Social injustices buried deeper and deeper? By my very nature I am a “solution seeker.” I watched Bully, intently. I came to the conclusion that it is less of a checklist for eliminating abusive behavior than an emotionally powerful wake-up call for a society too long in denial.
I wondered why this powerful movie was filmed from the perspective of the victims. I did not find any real insight into the Bully. They prey on the small, the weak, the disabled, too smart, too dumb, too ugly, too beautiful, too rich, too poor, sexual orientation or maybe just a different color skin—but why? What makes a Bully be a bully? Does it start small in kindergarten and end in high school by killing someone or driving them to suicide? I found more questions than answers. What does a bully look like? I don’t know, but I do know they are on the school grounds and on the school busses. I have four beautiful grandchildren and that scares me, for they are faceless enemies.
So, what is being done about this national crisis? The Bully Project is an all-out war on the problem. To start with, over 2 million kids in schools all over America have screened Bully since it was released in 2012 and it doesn’t stop there. If you have a few moments go online and check it out! You can even view the winners of the 2013 NO BULL National Education Conference and Teen Video Awards. I watched them and was amazed at the talent and conviction of these teens. I am inclined to stand back and let these kids find the solutions. One high school slogan: ”The bystander stops the bully,” is right on target!
School is back in session. Let’s raise our awareness of this diabolical issue. If everyone becomes part of the solution, we may not need a sequel to this eye-opening film. As always you can voice your opinion by emailing me at Chastings@rockcliff.com
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