This February is anti-oppression month and this week at the college it is anti-bullying week.

 Bullying is always the wrong direction to go. Who likes a bully? No one. It isn’t fair for other people to take the burden of a bully’s ‘not yet dealt with’ personal issue. They just  don’t know how to deal with it so they take their problems out on seemingly helpless people. It just isn’t fair.

“Humanity’s shared ethical values—fairness, respect, compassion, honesty and responsibility. Bullying violates all of them. Bottom line: There are no ethical bullies, and ethical communities can have no tolerance for bullying,” says Global Ethics.

Global ethics also says it’s important to realize the importance of the relationship between the bully, the victim and the bystander.

The bully takes control of those who are intimidated; the victim seems weak but has the potential to rise up despite the bully’s threats. Finally there is the bystander who is afraid and confused as to what to do, or how to do it.

In these situations people must have the courage to speak up and help others out. When you see someone being affected by another’s hurtful actions, do not be afraid to step in. It is the right thing to do. It is right to be loving and caring.

It is encouraging to be around those people who are joyful and express that they care. We stand for fairness, for respect and for compassion. We stand for honesty and responsibility.

 So take action, be courageous and intervene.