Among many other important awareness opportunities, October is also National Bullying Prevention Month.
As most can agree, bullying is a serious problem, one that is oftentimes not given the weight it deserves.
Though bullying is something many young people face, it is not limited to one age group, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or character trait.
People can be bullied at any age and for any "reason."
Whatever the motivation behind it, however, it remains painful and dangerous for the victims, both physically and psychologically.
Regardless of the severity, most of us can recall some instance of bullying.
For many who have not experienced it, it's easy to brush off the bullying of others by insisting that it's just teasing or that such hurtful words or actions are done in jest. But there's nothing funny about being harassed or mistreated. The emotional trauma is not amusing — it's painful.
Bullying is not a new problem and its presence in society is most likely permanent.
But to really make a difference, it's important to take bullying and all instances of such mistreatment and discrimination seriously.
We cannot take this problem lightly.
We cannot ignore it and hope it goes away.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of others because it does not directly affect us.
To combat bullying, we must stand united against it.
This month, it's important to take a deeper look at bullying as a societal problem, not an isolated one.
It takes bravery to stand up in defense of others, but there is no greater gift we can give one another than support and understanding.
At the end of the day, we will get so much more out of tolerance and acceptance than we will ever give. So this month — and every month — perhaps we should focus on accepting one another as we are, promoting understanding, and supporting those who are treated unfairly.
As a community, we are only as moral as the actions we allow to take place. It's up to us to make a difference.
Reach Times Staff Writer Elaina Clarke at 410-857-3316 or elaina.clarke@communitytimes.com.
