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By Layla Ornelas
Photo via Flickr
Bullying can come in many forms. It can be physical, mental, or verbal. Sometimes it can be all of these things.
Most bullying begins with a name or some feature that other kids can tease you about. Sometimes the teasing starts out verbal and, when the bullies get bored with it step up the teasing by hurting you physically.
When I was younger I got bullied a lot. I was bullied for being too skinny and lanky, having a pale complexion, and long knee-length hair. I was called cruel names, had my hair pulled, and kicked in the shins.
I was really young and I didn’t know how to ask for help. It happened so often that I thought it was normal and that the kids bullying me were just plain mean. No one in my family knew I was being bullied.
But over time I began to get more upset. Out of frustration I got into arguments with my sister and mom, which led to me getting in trouble at home and sometimes at school.
I was in First grade, only seven years old, the first time I got bullied. After the school year ended I moved to a new school in a different town. I thought things would be better there so naturally I was excited. But the bullying started again.
By the time middle school came around I spent most of my time in the library reading or drawing. After a few months I made some friends who helped me stand up to the bullying. If they ever caught me getting teased by someone they would go and stand up for me or help me do it myself. I helped them too.
They also gave me ways to make myself feel better after being bullied. They told me to listen to my favorite music, call them, or just take a nap.
I eventually made more friends and the bullying gradually stopped because I finally stood up for myself and found people who supported me.
If you are being bullied or know someone who is, talk about what is happening. Don’t sugar coat the situation and don’t be afraid to reach out to people you trust. No one deserves to be alone when they are being bullied.
Layla Ornelas is 14 year old art enthusiast and youth reporter. Passionate about LGBTQ and human rights, she feels strongly about making a difference in her community. She comes from an activist background, serving as a junior Brown Beret, and likes to help others.
