In 1996, I was having fun and enjoying simply the opportunity to run around the gym during P.E. For some random reason, a kid in my class starts bad-mouthing me and calling me an "idiot". It hurt. I felt rejected and like scum. Lies and thoughts from the "100's" of other instances flooded my memory. My mind was filled with hate. I wanted to so badly punch the kid in the face so hard they could never speak again, like many other times prior and in the future.
I didn't do anything to this person, and I was being treated like crap. Like I was always told by my parents, I didn't retaliate and went to tell the PE coach. In my head I thought they'd get on to the "bully" way after class, and that kid would still be a problem in the days to come…just like all the other times.
I was wrong. After telling the coach, he stopped the kid in the middle of the activity, took them to the side and from what my mind remembers the coach "yelling" at them to never call anyone an Idiot, stop it, and go apologize. I was standing to the side of this in a state of shock and happiness. Finally! Someone got in trouble for making fun on me! Hallelujah! It was the first and only time Ever that I can remember an instructor of mine that I told of a situation who took immediate action. I never had a problem from that kid again.
Unfortunately, being picked on by others for the many years to come in my life didn't stop. Hardly anyone in "authority" took immediate action with such drastic impact like that day in P.E. I don't ever recall any teachers going over a base of equality within the classrooms, and being really intentional of putting an end to the "torture". Of course, when one doesn't voice out with what's really going on inside, then nobody knows.
I don't want to assume, but there are probably specific days that we remember while we were kids in school. It may have been a fight, event, perfornance, or whatever it may be that impacted each of us in a crazy way for the rest of our lives. Do you agree? I was fortunate in having a great teacher every year during school. So many really good "models" to look up to. However, there is this 1 time which has always stood out to me over the years by simply their actions.
Yes, this can be a simple illustration of what happens when somebody acts against a "wrong-doing". However, when it happens specifically to each of us, it's fantastic. It was on my mind to share this simple story, and to challenge all of us to realize how words either bring death or life.
Stories are powerful.
Never forget yours.
Speak Up.
