I was bullied as a teen. As an adult, I’ve come to realize almost everyone has been bullied as a child, so of course, now I feel more “normal”. But at the time, I was terrified. The girls who tormented me rode on my bus and would incessantly scream obscenities at me. When I walked off the bus, they would throw things out the window, spit at me, and call me horrible names (some of which I didn’t even know the meaning). I was pushed and shoved and made to feel worthless.
The movie “Bully” seeks to shed light on the mean boys and girls and start a meaningful dialogue between students, teachers and parents affected by bullying. However, the Motion Picture Association of America recently rated the movie “R” so it cannot be screened in schools, the one place it could really make an impact.
Like Seth Myers and Amy Poehler, I want to ask, “Really?!?”
Please watch the trailer and then sign a change.org petition by teenager Katy Butler asking the MPAA to give “Bully” a PG-13 rating.
As a footnote, I recently learned that the girl who led the bullying against me has been in jail for years. Karma? No. I think she needed more help than I did. Let’s remember that the bullies may be going through difficult times at home and their anger is an outlet and a call for help.
Thanks so much for reading.
Even people who, as an adult, may make you angry… realize they are suffering. There are no villains (mostly). Just some people are more “in the matrix” than the rest of us. I think for everyone realizing this is powerful. : )
Done! Thanks for making me aware of this, Tara!
This is a film worth promoting, Tara, thanks.
Would be nice if we could rate actuall bullying X – for “un-X-eptable”
Bullying is not a “stage” that kids go through – it is violence plain and simple. But look at some of the parents and you see why kids act/react the way they do.
I , too, was bullied .. briefly by one person who was supposed to be my friend in elementary school. Later on the school bus to high school two other girls made that hour-long ride miserable for me. I was an easy target, small, painfully shy and afraid. I wonder if there were other incidences that I blocked from my memory.
Hearing and reading about kids being bullied makes me feel ill. I have signed, Tara. Bless you.
Thanks for raising awareness about this. I’ll certainly go sign the petition.
Thank You for this post. I was bullied. I have worked as a counselor to educate kids, parents, and school districts about bullying. Having this movie rated R misses the “boat” of meeting needs of our society today.
Reblogged this on Sms|DesiRe.
Thanks for sharing!
What a powerful trailer! I never felt bullied. Maybe picked on a bit from time to time. There sure is a fine line. I signed the petition and just sent it to a bunch of my facebook friends.