Bullying isn’t “kids being kids”—it’s violence
Let’s talk heart to heart — about something that cuts deep and hides behind silence: bullying.
People like to shrug it off. “Kids being kids,” they say. But let’s be clear — bullying isn’t a childhood rite of passage. It’s violence disguised as normal, cruelty that chips away at confidence, peace, and self-worth. It’s not “teasing.” It’s trauma.
The Real Face of Bullying
Bullying wears many masks — fists, whispers, exclusion, and now, pixels.
It strikes in the hallways, follows you home, and lives in your phone.
It’s verbal assaults that sting long after they’re said.
It’s group chats that turn into ambushes.
It’s rumors that spread faster than truth ever could.
And when that hate targets your identity — your skin, your culture, your name — it’s not just bullying. It’s a wound carved by racism. It tells Black youth that who they are is up for attack. But here’s the truth — your identity isn’t a weakness. It’s your superpower.
The Weight You Shouldn’t Have to Carry
Statistics tell the story numbers can barely hold. Nearly one-third of teenagers have been bullied in the past year. Among them, Black youth face an added layer. This is identity-based bullying, where pain becomes personal. It feels like history is repeating itself.
That’s not a number — that’s a cry for change.
Because the damage isn’t just emotional. It’s biological. Anxiety. Depression. Sleepless nights. Headaches that won’t quit. Grades that fall not because of laziness, but from living in survival mode. This is an Adverse Childhood Experience — a wound that rewires the way a young person grows, learns, and trusts.
The Cyber Trap
Then came the digital age — and the battlefield followed us home. Cyberbullying doesn’t clock out. It’s 24/7 cruelty, spreading screenshots, shame, and silence at the speed of Wi-Fi. For youth of colour — especially those who also identify as LGBTQ2+ or live with disabilities — the attacks multiply. The world online can be as dangerous as the world outside.
Healing Starts with Truth
So how do we fight back? With courage, community, and care.
- Culturally Safe Spaces — Schools must stop being silent. They must teach with Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy, where every culture is seen, respected, and represented.
- Social & Emotional Learning — Kids need emotional armor: empathy, self-awareness, resilience. The power that makes you rise above cruelty.
- Upstanders, Not Bystanders — Silence fuels bullies. Speaking up stops them. Be the voice that says, “Enough.”
Change isn’t just about punishing bullies — it’s about reprogramming culture. Every adult is part of the ecosystem. Every teacher can contribute. Every parent plays a role. Every friend can help transform fear into strength.
Stand Tall — Because Courage Is Contagious
If you’ve been bullied, hear this: You are not weak. You are not broken. You are worthy.
And you are not alone.
Reach out — talk to someone who will listen. Let the pain breathe, so healing can begin.
Because when one of us stands up, we all rise higher.
Together, we build a generation that refuses to bow to cruelty. We turn hurt into hope. We transform shame into strength.
AMHG Magazine: Where Culture Meets Courage
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This is more than awareness. It’s an action.
More than a movement. It’s a message:
You are powerful. You are seen. And your story matters.
