YOU WILL RISE PROJECT

MY DREAM WORLD, by Alexandra L. Wofford

2012-02-22T16:52:00.000-08:00

~My Dream World, by Alexandra L. Wofford

"In my dream world, I am with my friends. I am in a world where no one is made fun of for their sexuality. Where no one hurt's you and makes you angry. My world is where no one is called Fat or Ugly, This world where everyone is happy and life at home is nice and peacefull, No yelling, No sickness, No hate, Nothing but peace and happyness. Where no one makes you feel insicure or like your some kind of monster for your past... y dream world is where everyone gets along no matter how they look and no matter their interests. If we had a world like this, I really do think it would be a beautifull place. ((Ignore my spelling i know its not the best but it doesnt mean what i say isnt wise.))"

STAND TALL STAND PROUD, by tricksterKarkat

2012-02-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

~Stand Tall Stand Proud, by tricksterKarkat

"One day while i got on deviantART i got a message about a fan character i made. I was called 'a mary sue' It hurt really bad. I didn't know what a mary sue was until i looked it up. I use to be picked on when i was in elementary school. I know what it's like to be looked down upon. I don't want others feeling that way."

BULLYING CAN BE STOPPED, by Zidlijan

2012-02-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

~Bullying can be stopped, by Zidlijan

"This is because, i was watching the TV the other day and i remembered a lot about my past and my childhood in general, and, well if it wasn't for my brothers and mother, i would have become a very violent person, who would solve everything with violence, it's kind of a 'what would i be like.'"

WE KEEP MARCHING ON, by Sofia Boqvist

2012-02-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

One hit

Two hits

A warm, red liquid is mixed up with the desperate tears

Eyes closed

Focusing on survive the fight

"Bitch!"

"We don't want you here you worthless coward!"

Turning away

Won't show them the expression

Won't let them know about the terrible feeling inside

about the pain

Just trying to survive the day

"I'm sorry

It's over

I can't do this anymore"

Eye's filled with pain

Feeling tears start to roll down the cheek

and a heart which is breaking down into a million pieces

Screaming in anger

But won't let him know exactly how much that hurt

Just trying to prove a point that doesn't exist

Trying to win a fight you never wanted...

Everyday we are forced to win a fight we never wanted

Everyone has their own fight to endure

But we keep marching on

Like as if nothing ever happens

~We keep marching on, by Sofia Boqvist

I work daily against bullying in my school, I have been bullied, I have bullied (not something I'm exactly proud of, I wont excuse it but I was little, stupid and didn't beat someone or something like that. I just, just didn't do anything to help you know). But this poem is written with inspiration from One Republic's song; We keep marching on.

STOP BULLYING, by Christine Goulette

2012-02-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

~Stop Bullying, by Christine Goulette

"The concept of it is when you shove another person, you're basically handing them a loaded gun. When you laugh at someone, you're just handing them more pills to O.D. on. When you insult someone, you're giving them a blade to cut or kill themselves. And its three hands handing two people, a male and a female, these instruments that could possibly end their life."

ALONE, by Michaela Steinhardt

2012-02-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

I stand in the crowd.
Yet I am not seen.
Covered by a shroud.
An invisible teen.

My voice doesn't show.
Yet you still laugh at me.
Treating me cold as snow.
Its hard to just let it be.

I want to fight back.
At my being, you throw insults and things.
My anger piling up in a stack.
My slowly tortured wings.

Why do you do this?
What have I done?
Why am I the one you diss?
Why am I the one you shun?

I walk through the halls
And you yell from my touch.
Your laughter even reaches the bathroom stalls.
I haven't ever, to you, done that much.

I've convinced myself it's only my fault.
What led to this was my unknown sin.
Your own personal assault.
I was never meant to win.

Each day it gets worse.
You crumple me up like trash.
You laugh at my curse.
I smile, and you treat it like a rash.

I'm not taking it anymore.
The smile on my face grows wide.
I ball up my fists.
And up to you I take a stride.

"You brought this on yourself." I told them.
"Your the reason my hatred has took stem."

I threw the first hit....

Later at home I sit on my own.
Covered in bruises that sting.
My heart made of stone.
It didn't make me feel like a king.

No more of that smile.
It just recently faded.
I will see the blood on my hands for a while.
My eyes tired and jaded.

I hear the echo of their screams.
Why didn't I stop?
It even haunts me in my dreams.
My head just might pop.

I see you the next morning.
Your eye swollen and dark.
No more of your scorning.
It seems I've left my mark.

We've finished our dance
There's nothing to see.
I've put down my lance.
No one should be afraid of me.

They all turn away.
Not a word could be spoken.
You stay.
I guess this is my token.

You look me in the eye.
Grimacing at my very being.
Apparently you have been spreading a lie.
Now every one is fleeing.

You walk away slow.
Your laughter returning.
I can't believe you sunk this low.
I begin concerning.

"Your over. I won."
You left with those words.
I'm left in a stun.
The students return in herds.

I stand in the crowd.
Yet I am not seen.
Covered by a shroud.
An invisible teen....

~Alone, by Michaela Steinhardt

"This was a poem written for my schools mini poetry slam. Dedicated to the bullying I recieved through elementary and middle school, also to those who have been bullied as I have. Going through what we have has made us stronger."

INSECURITY, by Bryony Page

2012-02-14T04:15:00.000-08:00

~Insecurity, by Bryony Page

"Too many people are bullied about how they look. If you yourself are being bullied, tell someone. It's often the bravest thing you can do."

CAN'T YOU SEE? by Anonymous

2012-02-11T20:21:00.000-08:00

~Can't you see? by Anonymous

"It's showing the pain that you feel on the inside from every single time the people who bully you has hurt you. Every single rude word, does hurt, even if it may not seem like it on the outside. I wanted to show the pain that i felt and this is basically showing a bit what i went through. I want to show that no one is alone, even if it feels like it sometimes. People in your life loves you. During that time, i myself couldn't see that. But it gets better. It always does."

PEACOCK, by Michelle Pickering

2012-02-10T03:58:00.000-08:00

~Peacock, by Michelle Pickering

"Last year I painted my garage door with a Peacock. It represented standing up for myself and my inner beauty. The door became very controversial with my neighbour. My neighbour and her friend down the street were bullying me. It turned into a wonderful healing experience for the community and my family. I am now known as the 'Peacock Lady.'"

THOSE WORDS, by Annie Andriasyan

2012-02-08T03:55:00.000-08:00

Those words I hear,
The laughter in their voices.
I know that it is towards me,
Always towards me.
Why?
Did I do something wrong?

I see their mouths moving,
Their hands cupped to the other's ear.
They spare quick glances and I knew,
They were talking about me.
I can see their mouths,
But the rest of their faces are a blur,
One of the crowd.

What did I do?
Was acting like myself not enough?

Someone pushes my books to the ground.
Someone laughs,
Then another,
And another,
Until they were all surrounding me.

Idiot, stupid, ugly and so much more words did I hear.
And they were all directed towards me.
I cried in my heart but shed no tears,
For that would show them my weakness.

These people...
They fed on the weak,
And disowned the brave.
Now that you hear what I say,
Would you be able to answer me?

Through this chaos and turmoil,
And burning of hearts.
Truly,
Does anyone care?
If so,
Who?

~Those Words, by Annie Andriasyan

"No matter what anyone says, don't let it put you down. Don't let it take hold of your life 'cause you're going to deeply regret it later on... that is if you can still handle the pain and self pity. Don't underestimate my words."

MLP ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN, by Hannah R. T.

2012-02-07T04:09:00.000-08:00

~MLP Anti-Bullying Campaign, by Hannah R. T.

"I read an article about a young man who took his own lifebecause of extremist religion and bullying (he was gay and the way peopletreated him because of that was what led to his death). Bullying is alwaystreated as a "kids will work this out among themselves" issue andsometime ignored or even perpetuated by the adults that are supposed to stop itlike parents and teachers. As a someone who is working toward becoming ateacher, this really, really bothers me that it's hard to make people seebullying, whether it be online or otherwise, as a serious issue. So...I'mmaking a series of MLP posters with various reasons to stop bullying with AppleBloom, Derpy Hooves, and Rainbow Dash"

BULLYING, by Krista Warcop

2012-02-07T04:02:00.000-08:00

Just one word.
That’s all it takes.
Continued by many.
Followed by pushing.
Kicking.
Laughing.
Put-downs.
Name-calling.
We wish it will stop.
We try hard to be strong.
To deal with it on our own.
But when we try and ask for help, we get put down and told to ‘get over it’.
It’s not just physical, it’s not just emotional.
It attacks our confidence.
And shatters our Esteem.

It threatens our well-being as we dream.
That maybe, just maybe we’ll be treated like everyone else. To feel what it’s like to not fear of
being hurt.

To those who bully; to those who judge.
Put on the shoes of someone who you have hurt and,
Walk a mile where they have walked.
Feel the feelings that they have felt.
And I hope that when you get to the end of the road that you think before you speak.

Bullying does not make you cool.

~Bullying, by Krista Warcop

"I have been bullied relentlessly for a very long time. I know what it feels like when you are put down, when people call you nasty names, or start rumours that are definitely not true. After moving, the bullying became less and less and I finally felt as though I belong; however, it’s still out there. Even my own brother is being bullied at school...not just by students but his own teacher as well. People say that it’s all in our heads and that we should get over it. How can we when the words and actions made towards us on a daily basis make us feel as though we are not worth to be here? The scars from the turmoil that they have put us through will always be there, no matter what."

Artwork by Jenna Waldman

2012-02-03T04:18:00.000-08:00

~Bullied

~Bullying

~Mask

~Under the Mask I Wear

~The Bully

~Crying

~Artwork by Jenna Waldman

BULLY, by Emily Cairns

2012-02-02T03:50:00.000-08:00

Speak clearly.

Take a bow.

Stick up your middle finger.

Fight.

Scare them into silence.

Listen to your friends cheer.

Smile as you scream "retard".

Frown as he cries.

Speak loudly.

Take a bow.

Wave to the fans.

Fight, always fight.

Punch them into silence.

Listen to your friends cheer.

Smile as you punch him.

Frown as he cuts.

Speak quietly.

Take a bow.

Run from the cop car.

Run, don't fight.

Murder them to silence.

Listen to the sirens.

Smile at his last breath.

Frown as you take his life.

Speak truthfully.

Take a final bow.

Run from the jury.

Let your lawyer fight.

Be scared into silence.

Listen to the family wail.

Smile for the cameras.

Frown as you get your sentence.

~Bully, by Emily Cairns

"Over the years I've played victim to a few bullies, and I've always wondered, what's it like to be one? So. I wrote this piece. It's my way of saying to the bullies, 'I think I understand."

STOP BULLYING, by Cindy

2012-02-01T03:22:00.000-08:00

~Stop Bullying, by Cindy

"I'm bullied myself, I'm in 9th grade and I'm 15 years old. That's me in the picture. I just hope the message gets out to everyone. Bullying truly hurts, and I at least want to do something about bullying instead of just sitting there"

HATED SUICIDE, by piplup25

2012-02-01T03:19:00.000-08:00

You showed my secret to the world

You made feel like my life has ended

Now people abuse me

Even those who are completely anonymous

All I want to do is scream

Scream away my abuse

All of my pain

All of my sorrow

All I want is a light in my life

Maybe you just destroyed the emergency exit

You see these scars

These were caused by you

All I want to see right now is you burning into ashes in a fire

The orange shades creating a light in my life again

You think I'm overreacting

Well you want to see all of the affects you pushed into my life

The only thing that I have in life is myself

I hate you

You crossed the line

I don't plan to build a bridge and cross over this time

All I want to see is you disappear

Why can't you go now

Why can't you just leave me alone

All that I wake up to is abuse

All that I go to sleep to is nightmares about you

Nobody cares for me anymore

Just because of that one sentence you said

That breath you took beforehand

Breathing in the evil mist that cloaks around you

All you had to do was keep your mouth shut

But you told them

You told them all

Now I don't know who to trust

Should I trust my friends anymore

Should I trust my family anymore

I no longer desire to continue my life

So today I say good bye

Maybe you don't care about me now

But when I'm no longer around you'll feel for me

So all I have to say to you is:

"I hate you and this is good bye… forever!"

~Hated Suicide, by piplup25 on deviantArt

"This is the worst affect of bullying, SUICIDE!
Stop the bullying and stop the pain in the victim's heart!
Any form of bullying can cause someone to commit suicide even just revealing someones secret (as in the poem)! Stop the madness! Stop the abuse! Stop the bullying!"

BULLYING and BLACKDROP by Jake Meserve Blount

2012-02-01T03:08:00.000-08:00

I've heard hurt called many things.

Some say feeling alone in a room full of people is what hurts the most when you're being bullied.

I've never loathed a lie so much.

Being bullied is being crushed.

Not quickly, no. This is not fast, not easy.

Being bullied means that in a room full of people you wish you were alone.

It means pulling up your hood to avoid being seen.

It means loving the feeling of drops of blood slipping down your wrist,

Because how else will your hands stay warm

When no one will hold them?

And I'm not here to speak to those of you

Who stole my life away.

Nor to the teachers and administrators

Who let it slide because emotions come second to donations

And the only set of lips you pay mind to are the ones on your wallet.

No.

I am not speaking to you.

You don't deserve the breath in your lungs.

And I'll be damned before I give you mine.

I'm speaking to the ones like me

Who bend their backs and hide their heads

Just so they can breathe.

I've heard loneliness called many things,

But words cannot describe

The destroyer of men's souls.

When you're lonely you start out feeling sad,

But beginnings oft scarce scratch the surface

Because the sadness doesn't last.

It fades away.

And with it fades your love of life and the light in your eyes.

The vibrance of your voice and all the color in the world.

And in your numbness you begin to understand

That feelings aren't worth it when no one will care.

And mercilessly,

Cruelly,

Loneliness leaves your heart beating,

Just so that you'll know how little you're worth.

I've heard hate called many things.

Blind, willful, intense.

Scary.

But when you're bullied you come to love the loathing.

When hate is every word you hear,

Every sickly syllable sliding into your ear,

You know nothing more.

And the hatred never leaves or loosens its grip.

And hell, you'd hate it if it did.

So to the users and abusers,

And the apathetics behind your mighty walls of stone,

Take this poem and your memories of me straight to hell when you go.

And to the ones like me with your heads hung low

Hold them high and fight the tide.

Take these words with you wherever you walk.

Warnings are hard to come by,

And truthful fortune-tellings harder still to find.

~Bullying, by Jake Meserve Blount

~Blackdrop, by Jake Meserve Blount

"The idea when I was taking the photos I used to make "Blackdrop" was to photograph a pair of legs so that I could simulate someone hanging themselves. I then split the photo down the fork of the legs and drew a drastic, black/white contrast on it. The meaning of the photo - at least as I see it - is to convey how I felt when I was being bullied. I felt like no matter where I went I was exactly wrong for the environment (where it was white I was black, and vice versa). This feeling of never belonging led me to consider suicide; hence the hanged figure."

WHAT I WOULD SAY, by Abby Hadfield

2012-01-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

If every day they pulled my hair

If every day they teased

All the time and everywhere

They still would not be pleased.

How they hear and what they see

The comments in the hall

None of it can yet touch me

I'm the strongest of them all.

Why don't you speak, why don't you yell?

They have nothing over you

You hide inside you turtle shell

And let them see right through.

Why do you run, why do you hide?

Why don't you stand and fight?

If it were me, I'd show my pride

And make things between us right.

So don't let them make you sad

Don't let them tell you otherwise

Their words and looks, they're just a fad

And you'll always take the prize.

~What I Would Say, by Abby Hadfield

"This poem is about how I feel about bullying, and how people should stand up to bullies who have no actual threat over them. I hope that more kids will be able to find this courage to stand up and be true to themselves."

FAT, by Cassie Mallabar

2012-01-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

~Fat, by Cassie Mallabar

GOOD ENOUGH, by Jennifer Sawyer

2012-01-26T03:35:00.000-08:00

Every day,
Constant jeers.
Do you never tire
My "friendly" peers?
Must you remind me
Every day?
It's not my fault
That I'm this way.
I'm so freaking tired of being sad,
But I'll just keep smiling
And pretend to be glad.
Yet when I'm at home,
Oh, here come the tears,
And I am reminded
Of the worst of my years.
For once just stop
And leave me be.
It hurts much more
Than you can see.
The next time you meet
And you think that I'm tough,
Just know I have plenty of reasons
To not feel good enough.

~Good Enough, by Jennifer Sawyer

CHILDHOOD, by DKL

2012-01-25T03:50:00.000-08:00

~Childhood, by DKL

"An aspect of school-life. For those who are nerds or are different, who has a childhood of being bullied by the ones called 'cool kids'"

WORDS HURT, by GaarasSand101

2012-01-24T03:54:00.000-08:00

~Words Hurt, by GaarasSand101

"words really can hurt a person, i made this with a scratch board to depict that"

WHY IS THERE BULLYING? by Alexandria Rebellion

2012-01-24T03:50:00.000-08:00

Why is there bullying?

What is the point in that?

Do you enjoy our pain?

Does it make you feel stronger?

Or is it the fact that you could be destroying someone's life?

Or causing someone to take their life?

Is that cool?

Does it make you hotter?

Does it make girls want to have sex with you?

Or guys want to have sex with you?

Bullying isn't cool.

What if the boy you just bullied for being gay,

Or that girl you bullied for making herself sick,

So she'll be thin enough to fit in,

What if they committed suicide?

You caused them to do that.

You basically murdered them.

How does that make you feel now?

Still feel strong?

Still feel hot?

If you do, you need help.

Causing someone's death is not good.

If you use your life to make others crap,

I have something to say to you.

Your life is fake, get a real one

~Why Is There Bullying? by Alexandria Rebellion

"I wrote this after the bullying that was happening at my school to me and the few friends I have got out of hand. Nothing exciting, just my opinion on bullying and bullies."

STOP THE HURT and BECAUSE OF THE HURT, by stkf

2012-01-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

~Stop the Hurt, by stkf

~Because of the Hurt, by stkf

WORDS HURT, by Anonymous

2012-01-19T17:54:00.000-08:00

~Words Hurt, by Anonymous

"I used to suffer from clinical depression, and still do at times. Words can hurt someone, even more than a punch to the face. When you get punched or hit the bruises or marks fade. Yeah, you might never forget what they did but you can always forgive them. When you have no safe haven, when you're attacked all the time by words of hate, you get scared. They become so constant you start to believe them. I know friends who killed themselves because they were bullied verbly for years. I almost did kill myself because I let it go too far. Don't go on hating. Shut the hell up if you ain't got nothing to say."

BULLYING HURTS, by Samantha Gianinna Fonseca

2012-01-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

~Bullying Hurts, by Samantha Gianinna Fonseca

ROAD TO CHAOS, by Sydney Ludwick

2012-01-16T03:07:00.000-08:00

~Road to Chaos, by Sydney Ludwick

"Art, literature and music is my only escape from reality. I wasn't abused by any of my family members, but by fellow students at school. The verbal and physical abuse sent me into a very dark place. However, as I discovered what I can do with art I can escape this dark place, if only for a little bit. Art is my sanctuary and helps me get through hard times. This art work illustrates the dark place in an abstract way. Luckily a road can go both ways, I'm deciding to turn around and get away from the chaos to try and end bullying."

TEARS DON'T MEAN YOU'RE LOSING, by Rebecca Ball

2012-01-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

~Tears Don't Mean You're Losing, by Rebecca Ball

"Don't let bullying get you down. Focus more on life and what makes you happy <3"

THIS ONE, by Anonymous

2012-01-10T03:51:00.001-08:00

this goes out for the kids who have all been bullied,
spit on, stepped on when there down, the kids who eat lunch alone,
the new kid in town who hasn't discovered just how amazing he really is, the "weird" kid in the corner,
the emo kids, the misfits, the loner, this goes out to the weird couple you always see in the mall,
the lonely woman eating dinner by herself in a fancy restaurant, the lonely husband tucking his kids into bed,
the abandoned baby at the orphanage, the truck driver who does everything for his family but never gets to see them,
this goes out to the people never noticed, the 40 year old virgins, the pregnant 16 year old. the spelling bee winner,
the abused kid who blames himself for what happened, the kid who sees his dad hit his mom,
the one and only kid who ever stood up to the bully and got his ass beat, the chess champion,
this goes out to the people who feel alone, stranded, depressed, mad, confused, sad, nothing.
this goes out to everyone who couldn’t say anything.
the people who are always there are always the ones who need the most help.
this goes out to remind people that one person can make a difference. One smile can save a life,
a thank you letter can brighten some ones day, a head nod can make someone smile,
sacrificing a lunch hour to sit with the new kid can make or break him.
This goes out to people to remind them that everything you do can and will impact someone in the world for better or for worse.
this goes out to the people of the world. Stay Strong My Friends.

~This One, by Anonymous

MONSTERED PROJECT, by Eduardo Crespo

2012-01-09T03:27:00.000-08:00

~Monstered Project, by Eduardo Crespo

"This piece is part of my anti-bullying blog monsteredproject.tumblr.com where I post time-stamped images that express a negative emotion correlated with painful memories from past childhood traumas whenever they arise in my daily life. The particular meaning of this piece has to do with the psychiatric dissociation caused by excessive bullying."

FOREVER A CRUMPLED PAPER, by Samantha Lopez

2012-01-06T04:23:00.000-08:00

~Forever A Crumpled Paper, by Samantha Lopez

"A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stomp on it and really mess it up, but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now even though they said... they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullies another child, they may say they’re sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home."

This came up on my page one day, and it reminded me of what happened to me in the past. This is very true, once you bully someone, you can say sorry as many times as you want but the scars you left on that person will never go away.

I've been bullied many times before, but this one time I was bullied. I felt so defenseless...

I didn't know what I had done to the other person...we were once best friends then one day she completely just began to attack me verbally. I knew she fought a lot so I was scared one day that she was going to hurt me. The worst thing was...I had many dance classes with her. I told the teacher about it a few times but nothing seemed to happen. Then I went to the director of the studio...she helped none. I came to a point where I came home crying from dance, or I didn't even want to go. Finally, I came to a conclusion to quit the studio, and dance.

The sad thing was...that girl got no punishment after I left (I was told by a friend from there). I loved to dance...my mother knew that so she tried to get me to go to another studio. But I was horrified that it would happen again. So I let go of what I loved, and lost my passion...

Two years later here I am, doing what I love most, Dancing. But I will always have that fear of being bullied, and I will always have the emotional scars that girl left on me. That's why I will remain Forever a Crumpled Paper"

FADE, by Anonymous

2012-01-06T04:22:00.000-08:00

i scream at you to drop it
i yell at you to please drop it
that this is not the way to go
that we can do something
get them to feel bad in some other way
but you wont listen
you stand there shaking
you are as scared as we are
you didn't want to do this
you still don't
but you have to get the point across
get the point across that you were hurt
and that no one can change that
you let off one round in the air
then you point it at someone randomly and fire off another round
this time you hit someone
you hit me
the bullet is slowly making me aware that it hurts
i am in shock but i am coming out of it
all of a sudden my chest is burning
i cant stand it
i start to scream and yell and cry
you just stare at me
you did this to me
but yet i am not mad at you
i am not mad at you at all
then everything starts to get darker and darker
then everything seems to start to spin
i flashback
then i come back
i slowly watch as the world fades away and then it is all black
i hear my friend screaming for me to wake up
but i slowly fade away

~Fade, by Anonymous

 "my story is based on bullying for i have been bullied many times and want to put a stop to it"

RAINBOW SOCKS, by Hunapo

2012-01-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

"Sticks and stones
May break my bones
But words can never
Hurt me."
Spoken so long ago,
  My heart lurches
     At the rhyme.
Who said this?
  They lied.
Words hurt worst
  Of all.
I might not
  Physically hurt
But the words
  Spoken by
    By you
They stab deep
  Deep
    Deeper still
Far into my core.
Just because
  I'm a little bit
    Different
Doesn't mean I'm
  Bad
    Or Evil
I'm not a devil-child.
I won't go to
  Hell.
I can love who
  I love,
Choose who to
  Worship,
Wear what I
  Wear,
And you
  Can't
    Stop
      Me.
Your whispered
  Words
    And
Devious gestures
Belong to you,
Hidden in
  Sweet
    Silence,
So no on
Can be
  Hurt.
Because maybe
I CAN
  Stop you.
Because maybe
Hell would be
  Better.
Because being with
  YOU
Is the
  Worst
    Possible
      Thing.
So I say
  Rainbow Flag,
Rainbow Religion
   And Rainbow Socks.

~Rainbow Socks, by Hunapo

"So when I was younger, around 6th grade or so, peoplestarted to say mean things both to my face and behind my back. Along with this,two of my close friends Miranda and Chloe were bullied because the danced to aslow song at a school dance. Throughout my time in both middle school and inhigh school, I have been a witness to bullying, whether it be because ofstereo-types or because of their chosen religion or if they liked the same sex.Personally, I think all those who hate people who are just a little bitdifferent are wrong, and they need to acknowledge this fact. However, that is myopinion. This poem explains how I felt when I was getting bullied in middleschool and in high school. Trust me on this one; Words hurt worst ofall."

I AM STRONG, by Emily Dickerson

2012-01-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

~I Am Strong, by Emily Dickerson

"I'm tired of being looked down on and talked about. I'm ready to put your words behind me and move forward in life with my head held high!"

SHUN, by Alex Martin

2012-01-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Shun the dyke,

shun the sinner,

shun the one trying to be thinner.

Shun the fatty

shun the depressed,

shun the one who's poorly dressed.

Perfection is the goal,

it's born in the soul,

for those who deserve it.

Try and try,

fail and cry,

you'll never be thin,

you'll never take back sin,

they'll never be satisfied,

until your confidence is fried

and your happiness is tied

between your wants and needs.

The hopeless greed,

those who were never freed,

take their place,

become the face

that takes the beatings,

that takes the names,

but goes home and frames

their only happiness and hope,
their only way to cope.

~Shun, by Alex Martin

"Bullies will never be satisfied with what you do to yourself, no matter what they'll find a way to judge you. You can never expect to go through life without having tough parts, you just have to stand taller than the bullies, they're not worth your tears."

HERPADERP, by Anonymous

2011-12-30T04:59:00.000-08:00

~Herpaderp, by Anonymous

"This piece was inspired by a particularly bad day I was having, I think it was my 5th or so day of high school and the people were definitely cruel. The words in the background are things that have been said to me, and more recently I've come out as A-sexual and people have been poking at that too. But I can honestly say it doesn't bother me anymore. Things get better."

WHAT'S YOUR LABEL? by Sherri Murray

2011-12-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

~What's Your Label? by Sherri Murray

"Every high school students name eventually turn's into a label, a stereotype that attaches to their place in their 'clique'. Many students never get treated as a human being with a name, their label is their name in high school. For example, my clique is a group of 'weirdo's', but in reality they are my friends and my label is not shy, loser, or fat. My Name is Sherri Murray, and that's my label. Don't use label's, use names."

WITNESS, by o0spedshal0o

2011-12-30T04:51:00.000-08:00

You sit at your desk, not a care in the world. You have a great life, with friends who love you, a nice girl/boyfriend, amazing grades. Finishing your paper, you look over at the kid next to you and frown, your thought process beginning. What re they like? Are they perfect too? you wonder, not choosing your words carefully. You continue to stare, thinking, but you don't see the other half of the person. A scar under their eye, a bruise on the outside of their arm. This side is not facing you. The bell rings. You pack up your stuff to go, glancing at the kid again, staring at their suspicious bruises. They rush out. You follow. A tough-looking boy walks up, shoving them down. You want to say something, but you can't find the words. The bully starts to kick them, calling them names. Finally working the lump from your throat, you shake, raising your voice. The bully turns to you, the victim bleeding. Everyone is laughing at the kid. Holding out your hand, you help them up as a teacher walks by. The bully is escorted to the office, awaiting punishment.

You are escorted too, as a witness.

~Witness, by o0spedshal0o

"This was based on an experience in 5th grade.
No, I didn't have a boyfriend, or perfect grades. But I did watch someone be bullied. And they did bleed. Normally, I would've laughed, if it were some goofy accident that wouldn't happen again. But laughing felt wrong there, and I couldn't watch this kid suffer. So I stood up for the kid. I'm glad I did. Don't just stand back, speak up. End bullying, and don't let people be douchbags to you."

STAND UP, by Rebekah N Fox

2011-12-28T09:17:00.001-08:00

~Stand Up, by Rebekah N Fox

"I guess just anywhere if ur bullied or see someone being bullied stand up no matter what whether its at home or out in public."

STOP BULLYING NOW and HEY, YOU, by Anonymous

2011-12-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

~Stop Bullying NOW, by Anonymous

"It sucks seeing people bullied enough to the point of suicide being the "only way out". Please help those people in need and learn what you can do to save a life from meeting suicide!

Hey, you.
You're the one that picks on me, right?
Stop it.
It's not funny. It's not "cool".
It hurts.
Have you read the stats?
1 in 6 bullied kids report to their councilers about being bullied more than once a week.
Every week.
I don't want to end up like those 1 in 6.
Stop it.
Do you know what bullied kids do to stop your "fun" and tyranny?
Most commit suicide. Do you understand?
Stop it.

Hey, you.
Do I need to say anymore than I already have to?
So what should you do?
Stop it.
You wanted a reputation. Is this how you got it?
Hurting others for your own self-gain?
If you bully someone and he or she commits suicide,
I think of it as murder.
Stop it.
I hope you've learned something today.
This is serious.
Do you understand?
Stop it.

~Hey, You, by Anonymous

"I'm not bullied anymore, but for those still suffering, I hope that those people learn that uniqueness is beautiful. YOU are beautiful, no matter what they say. I love you all!"

THE VICTIM'S POINT OF VIEW, by Anonymous

2011-12-28T09:03:00.000-08:00

The boy looked up from his bed. His face was bloodied and bruised, tears streaming down as he wished for an end to it all. Downstairs his parents were talking over the phone with school who were trying to sort it out. Maybe they never would. Every day when he went to school, the boy was back for more. He was beginning to feel weak, useless against them.

Day after day, every time it got worse. Words turned to pushes, then to punches and kicks. People looked at him with respect, then it became pity. Then they began to laugh. He didn't get it. Why are they being different?! I thought they liked me! The boy began to doubt them. Doubt everything that had ever happened to him. Everything they'd done, said, all the good times they'd had.

Things only got worse. They said he had to tell them when it happened, so he did. He told them every time and they spoke with his bullies, they only got nastier. As people stopped liking him, he stopped liking them. Stopped wanting to visit them. Stopped wanting to talk with them altogether. As the boy regressed into his own little world, people left him to be alone. Places he would sit with ten, maybe twenty others were now his corners of the field to sit and ponder the reason for his life.

Years went on and he grew stressed, and very unsociable. Incapable of talking to others at time. He stuttered, he fidgeted. Sometimes he would sit alone and cry, and not talk when people tried to help. He didn't care that they cared, he just wanted to express himself. The boy started to draw and read, trying to find some understanding of the world.

As his knowledge grew, his friends dropped. Eventually, nobody really cared. By this time, a long, hard three years had passed since he had begun this ordeal that people called 'school.' Gathering more things, he progressed through the school like nobody had seen before. His creative and mathematical skills grew fast. At the same time, a little bit of sociality rested within him, shrinking by the day. Nobody cared for him, so he made the feeling mutual. Right next to that little bit of hope, sat something endlessly cold, hard and dark. Revenge.

Yet another year passed and he still gave in to the fights, never ran from the chased, shook off the names and heckles. They thought he ignored it all, but deep down, something was growing inside him; and it's name was Hate.

As the hate began to control him, the boy grew angry. Sometimes in lessons someone would call him a name and he'd throw things, or push the table into their stomach. People saw his weak attempts to lash out as comedy, nothing that they should fear. Until one day when they were chasing him round at lunch time, and the hate took it's toll.

First came the big kid, the 'leader' of the gang. As normal, it was him that did the most damage and took the least punishment. The little boy had just about taken enough of this guy and wanted it over. As normal he watched from the corner of his bruised eye as he approached, but even surprised himself with what came out from his throat.

DON'T TALK TO ME!

A fist came across and struck the big kid over the cheek. Without holding back, the little kid pounced onto his fat chest and punched again and again, at any soft spot he could find. A fist went right down his throat and drew vomit. Another one split off into fingers and one stabbed his eye. By the time someone had pulled them apart, the bigger kid was a sorry sight. Blood was trickling from his nose and one eye in a steady stream, and vomit was collected in his mouth and oozing down his agape jaw, and down his jumper mixing with the blood. The little kid stood tall, glaring at anyone who dared try again.

The damage was done though. Despite his victory, the bullies took their toll. Stress had pulled his diet up and now he was overweight, not the unusually thin kid that the photos showed in reception. As everyone else in his family had grown into, black glasses now rested on his nose. His red hair, the source of many a name to call him, had grown to near shoulder length. Even his mind was changed. The little socially happy child was gone, and a recessive dullard had replaced him. He had lost the art of conversation, and often spoke to people that didn't care. He never noticed.

This child was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He grew on to be in year 10, where he now resides. Two failed relationships on, but some activity now flourishes, and his social life is slowly rebuilt. His name is Daniel, he is 14 years old, and now he faces more challenges. But every time he feels down, he looks back and thinks to himself I've been through worse.

~The Victim's Point of View, by Anonymous

"This is my story so far. Please respect that it has left me an emotional wreck just recounting, I had to stop and cry at one point in here from bringing the memories back. I'm grateful you have scrolled this far and put up with me, even just viewing this is much appreciated."

WHAT YOU STOLE - AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR SON'S TORMENTOR. by Mike Urry

2011-12-23T13:46:00.000-08:00

Editor's note:

Previously we featured a powerful post about Steven, a young man who was relentlessly bullied and tragically took his own life at the age of 13. The letter was written by his best friend, Garrett: "A Letter to Steven, RIP Little Brother." Today we are featuring another post about Steven, this time a letter written by his father, Mike Urry, addressed to the bullies who tortured his son.

Do you know what you stole that day five years ago? You probably don't remember stealing anything, but you did. Five years can seem like an eternity at your age. Do you even remember that day? Let me remind you of it.

It was just another miserable day in your life, the same as the day before. You went to school, and you did what you did every other day; you tormented our son. It was no big deal to you. It was a very big day in Steven's life though, because it was his last day on this Earth.

Simply because you felt inferior and powerless, you decided once again to take out your frustrations on your fellow students. That day, you saved your most vicious attack for Steven, your victim of choice for the previous three months. It didn't seem like stealing anything though, did it?

It was.

The first thing you stole was Steven's life. That much should be obvious, even to you, but do you know how much more you stole? The effects of your violence have spread like ripples on water, never reaching the far shore.

We lost part of ourselves that day; part of us just disappeared. Steven was the last of his line; there will be no grandchildren in our lives, thanks to you. Steven's sister will never have nieces or nephews, his grandparents will never have great-grandchildren. His many aunts and uncles and dozens of cousins will never get to grow with him in their family.

You robbed Steven's friends of his friendship. He did have friends, you know. Good friends that cared about him as he cared about them. Unlike you, they were worthy of his friendship, and Steven earned theirs. You stole him from all of them, too.

The world will never know who Steven might have become, because you stole his future. He may been anyone or done anything, but we'll never know, now. He may have even done something with his life that improved the lives of others, even thieves like you.

His sister will never have a little brother to talk to, and will feel his loss every single day. She will never truly understand what happened, or why. She loved Steven and cannot understand why you didn't like him.

You stole more than that, too. Your actions started a chain of events that continues to this day, and will never really end. We lost several years of our lives because you bullied our son. Years lost to insanity and depression, in a haze of medication and misery.

His mom may never really recover. You can't possibly conceive how losing a child destroys a mother, eating into her soul, like a disease with no cure. You stole the woman I love, leaving a shadow behind. You stole her husband as well, and replaced him with an angry, broken man.

You can't know the depth of a father's pain, my anger at you, or how lucky you are that I had help dealing with my desire to erase you from this world. I will never find true peace, but I will not lower myself to your level, and act out on my frustration and pain, like you did. You're just not worth it.

You stole all of this from all of us, and more. All of the days of growing and learning, loving and being loved are gone, and cannot be replaced. Sunny afternoons and late night talks, family dinners and dreams of the future, all gone. New friends and possibilities, old friends and memories, all impossible now.

All because you felt like hurting someone that day.

~What you stole - an open letter to our son's tormentor. by Mike Urry

http://hisnamewassteven.yolasite.com/

ILLUSIVE REQUIREMENTS, by Abby Vombrack

2011-12-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

Prologue

walk walk walk walk walk

walk walk walk walk walk

stops

look look

look look look

walk walk walk walk walk

stops

look look

walk walk walk walk walk

walkwalkwalkwalk

stops

turn glare stare go.

stays.

Monday Morning

Daddy grumbled undertongue

thudded throughshadowed spaces

clotting to coffee and

steel toed towards thedoor

faced Flint.

He beat the sun.

Upstairs

Softness

whimpers

of bad dreams:

Deirdra finger combslittle Felix’s hair

to lull his sleep,

hums Grandma’s honeytune

four siblings nestledon underdressed mattresses.

Mama clanking

in the bathroom sink.

Yellowed teeth bag ladyin

Maskara to face her

Three shifts.

The sons up

The daughters showered

The parents gone

Deirdra makes lunches

In polyester pants

Hurries to school

Tardy.

Detention

“Do you want to be here?”

“No, sir.”

“Do you want a diploma?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Be on time.”

“I‘min ch—”

“Listen. This isyour life. If it matters to you then work for it. We

Choose ourdestinies, Deirdra. A diploma can

Take you anywhereyou want to go. What do you

Want to be whenyou

Grow up? Ateacher? A nurse?

A wonderful wifeor mother?”

…

“To behappy.”

“Then be happy,dammit.”

…

“Yes, sir.”

Felix waits outside thedouble doors

“If it matters to you then work for it.”

Coated in Deirdra’swindbreaker

From the last stormyseason.

“You’re right,

Sir.”

“Detention.”

The Parchment

They have it

but They didn’t

have

to respond

to a sobbing ball ofbaby

paper bags of Oreos andDoritos

the disappearingparent.

to wake up

give five innocenterminds

what they need to

Get out.

They only haveThemselves.

Noon is lunchtime inthe cafetorium

but Deirdra visits Mr.Daniel’s to

nurse herself as

U grads in the corner

Indulge in talkingabout

Choice.

Work harder

Try harder

Schmooze harder

booze harder

“I don’t feel bad for anyone who doesn’t try.

If you focus on the negative, you’re gonna be miserable.

Like, find the light.”

a candle next to thebowl of peanuts.

extinguished by asneeze.

“I mean, if you want a different life,

Mama still wearsmaskara

Go out and make it happen for yourself.

Daddy died

You don’t have to be stuck.

Felix has uncombed hair

It’s just ridiculous.”

Deirdra wants to behappy.

~Illusive Requirements, by Abby Vombrack

"Illusive Requirements" stemmed out of a class discussion in an English course a few weeks ago. We were discussing the book Rivethead: Tales from the Assembly Line by Ben Hamper, a memoir about growing up in Flint, Michigan and working on the GM assembly line. Through our discussion, one classmate kept asserting that she did not feel bad for the workers at GM. "If you want more, go out and get it. If it matters to you then work for it," she continually stated. I became overwhelmingly frustrated that she couldn't see the plausibility of people in this world not having that motivation, ability, or circumstances to go out and make one, some, any, or all of their aspirations a reality. Her background and upbringing haven't allowed her to see people on the other side. So, in my narrative poem, I aimed to create a story on that other side.

STONEWALL; THIS IS MY HISTORY

2011-12-22T04:21:00.000-08:00

~Stonewall; this is my history, by Draven Eric

I wanted to submit this piece because this is glbt history. These people were bullied. They stood together and brought forth change paving the way for our community. This is what I see happening with projects like "You Will Rise". I think this history is important to share because it shows Pride and that, things do change. That we our brother and sisters and you are loved.

I recently, watched the documentary Stonewall Uprising. The words from Martin Boyce, who participated within the riots, became a image in my mind. This image is based from his description of the day after the riot:

*"The day after the first riot, when it was all over, I remember sitting the sun was soon to come....and I was sitting on the stoop, and I looked at that street. It was dark enough to allow the street lamps to pick up the glitter of all the broken glass and all the debris and all the different colored cloth that was in different places as if an artist had arranged it. It was beautiful. It was like mica. It was like the streets were strewn with diamonds.

It was like a reward. " - Martin Boyce*

I am in shadows because back in the 60's they called us, among other things, the twilight people.

Martin is whom you first see here on the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5rSfS2tgyc

Stonewall:

*When police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City on June 28, 1969, the street erupted into violent protests that lasted for the next six days. The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.*

STOP THE HATE, by TheAntiVentus

2011-12-22T04:15:00.000-08:00

~Stop the hate, by TheAntiVentus

When I was a kid (and even now) I was faced with discriminations like this just for dressing the way I do and for the media I enjoy. I have been faced with the "Umm... are you Goth?..." question and the "GOD HATES GOTHS!" statements. Along with the scum and witch accusations. I'm sick of hate towards Goths just because we dress differently. We don't worship Satan, we don't go around killing people, and we don't not ever laugh. We're good people! Same goes for Emos, too. Not all of them cut themselves, either.

RUINED, by AliMarie

2011-12-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

~Ruined, by AliMarie

To me this image means a lot . It tells a short story in fact , of course one I would only be able to know . . but I'll try to explain .

Some times life can be really rough , it can leave you hurt - we all know that . We face many things . .including bullying - but that simple ' child phase ' they say , some times gets out of hand and leaves us bruised and bloody . [ Obviously note the bruises on the girls body . ] In my case anyways , it left me confused . . in a state of being lost ; I didn't understand what I did that was so wrong to deserve all those horrible words they said or the hits they placed on me .

I always would keep my head down out of sadness and a lack of understanding from others . [ Notice the girl looking down ] Not only was I black and blue but I was roughly tattered inside as well. I felt like everything was tearing me apart from the inside out - I felt as if I couldn't stand [ thus explaining the girls spine falling apart . ]

This girl . . in this rough sketch wouldn't appear to you as ruined lost and hopeless ? Well not quite . . . There are red flowers resting in her hair , to me plants are a symbol of life . .Life - as long as there is life in you . . if you are still breathing there is a hope , a hope for a tomorrow and a better day - a hope that things WILL get better . & They will . . so don't give up , hold onto your hope even if you fall down , no one can tear that believing from you . So don't ever think that there is nothing left - you'll rise against them and grow stronger through it all . . I over came it all - I've learned to love who I am and become happier now .

Just keep your head high because there is not tax on dreams so dream big . . as big as you can and just fly with it.

A DIFFERENT VIEW, by pepper

2011-12-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

From down here

i can see the sky

i can smell the air

i can taste your high

From down here

i see but i can't reach

i see but i can't touch

i hear but i can't speak

i'm down here

don't You hear me

can't You feel me

don't You see me

i'm down here......

Up there

life goes on it's merry way

like there's a two way mirror

and i'm on the wrong side

Up there

the sun moves across the sky

painting light in swaths

but the brush misses me

Leaving me in shadow

~A different view, by pepper

EVERYTIME, by Anonymous

2011-12-15T03:53:00.000-08:00

~Everytime, by Anonymous

"It is about how bullying can be hard, and It can seem like it never stops. But I try to say, with this drawing, that it does. It gets better every time. So nobody should ever give up, cause it get's better every single time!"

TOO LITTLE AND TOO MUCH, by Robert Stone

2011-12-15T03:49:00.000-08:00

Too young, too old, no age will suit the one
whose lack of satisfaction is within.
Too light, too dark, no feature will be spun
to other than not quite enough to win.

Too short, too tall, no height will fit desire
whose definition is not founded sure.
Too thin, too thick, no type will like inspire
in one who thinks perfection is the cure.

Too weak, too strong, no grasp will calm unsafe
whose doubts reflect their litanies of life.
Too soft, too loud, no sound will comfort waif
for whom the past foreshadows coming strife.

Remembered words are often not the same
as what was said yet much our future claim.

~Too little and too much, a second sonnet for Edith Briggs, by Robert Stone

I'M ONLY HUMAN, by Charlotte Lea Pointon

2011-12-15T03:42:00.000-08:00

~I'm Only Human, by Charlotte Lea Pointon

"I'm always being judged. I walk into a room and people instantly label me. They think I'm a nerd because I like to wear my school uniform properly. They think I'm a freak because I don't fit the mould. They think I'm wrong because I believe there is no mould to fit into. But are we not all human? Is that enough to satisfy them? I hid the true me for so long, but pretending that there is a normal was making me sick. That’s when I gave up trying to fit in. I wrote and drew this on the day I embraced myself for who I am, not what others think I should be. The world is so much more beautiful now! My friends became family, my work became my soul and here I stand, proud to be me. Now when I walk in a room, I'm surrounded by my family without a bully in the world who could take away my happiness"

HELP ME, by Anonymous

2011-12-12T04:07:00.001-08:00

~Help Me, by Anonymous

BULLYING, by Caitie Hammons

2011-12-12T04:04:00.000-08:00

I know what it's like.
I've been bullied at school.
And I feel so worthless.
And I feel like no one cares, even though I know they do...
And some days...
I just want to give up...
Some days...
I feel like I can't take anymore...
And I just want it all to end.
People keep telling me to be strong,
But I don't know if I have any more strength.
My hands are shaking, my head is pounding, I'm gasping for breath, I can't stop crying...
I just want it to STOP.
I just want to be okay.
I just wish there was someone to hug me and tell me everything is going to be alright...
I just wish I had some HELP.
But...
Don't worry...
I'm not going ANYWHERE.
I'm staying, right here.
I'm going to get through this.
But no one deserves to feel like this.
Always remember:
You are beautiful.
You are loved.
You are strong.
And some day...
Things WILL get better...
And until then...

I'm going to stay strong.

~Bullying, by Caitie Hammons

BULLYING, by Midnighttheumbreon

2011-12-12T04:01:00.000-08:00

~Bullies, by Midnighttheumbreon

"The reason I originally drew this, was for a friend of mine on Deviantart. She is making a video and asked her watchers if they would make pictures to be featured in it. Bullying has always been a major issue to me, as I've experienced it many, many times. So I decided to participate myself, and so I did. I drew a picture of my pokemon representative, or 'pokesona', known as Dusk, and I tried really hard on my background for once, as I knew lots of people would be seeing it, so I wanted to make a good job of it. And, well, here It is!"

STOP, by Sara Reid

2011-12-10T12:49:00.001-08:00

Stop!
Your lies hurt me in the inside.
Just stop!
The rumors are just to put me a side.

You might not notice,
but you are naking me suffer,
just to make
you look tougher.

You feed off
my pain,
you make me feel like
I'm tied up in chains.

Stop!
What your doing isn't O.K.
Just stop!
Listen to what I have to say.

Why are you
not listening to me!?
Why can't you
just set me free!?

Just please listen
to what I have to say!
This is not a game
that I want to play.

STOP!
This isn't how I want the game to end.
JUST STOP!
Stop it before I end up dead.

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!
I CAN'T TAKE WHAT YOUR DOING TO ME!
If I had one wish,
I would wish to be set free.

~Stop, by Sara Reid

"This is what some people fell when they are bullied. They would want to be set free. And sometimes when they tell the bully to stop, they don't listen. That is why I made this poem."

MAKE IT STOP, PLEASE... by QueenOfAllDragons

2011-12-08T19:39:00.001-08:00

~Make It Stop, Please... by QueenOfAllDragons

INVISIBLE, by Emily C.

2011-12-08T19:36:00.001-08:00

So honestly.

You don't even see me.

Invisible. Plagues my life. Plagues mymind. Plagues my soul.

Don't think.

Just speak.

Hurt her feelings.

Watch her die.

Let the bullies win again.

Let her lose her life. Her family. Herfriends.

Because you speak.

Because you hear.

But you don't see.

You can have perfect vision.

And never notice the girl in the back ofthe class.

She notices you.

She sees you.

She wishes. She hopes. She dreams.

But you still don't see.

Only the invisible's can see otherinvisible's.

Only the bright can see the bright.

Only the blind can see the blind.

But you still don't see.

You're not blind.

You're not deaf.

You're not stupid.

You're ignorant.

~Invisible, by Emily C.

"This is a piece about silent bullying, bullying isn't just calling someone fat, or ugly, or gay. It's also ignoring someone, treating them like cellophane, and making them lose all hope in themselves. We can help. Only us, the one's who give a damn, can help."

IT HURTS, by daemonwolf20

2011-12-08T19:33:00.001-08:00

~It Hurts, by daemonwolf20

A LETTER TO STEVEN, RIP LITTLE BROTHER, by Garrett

2011-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Editor's note:

We recently received a message from the father of Steven, a young man who was bullied mercilessly and tragically took his own life at the age of 13. Read a moving account of the incident on the website His Name Was Steven here.

Steven's story is a powerful reminder of why we must continue to speak out against bullying. Regarding the You Will Rise Project, Steven's father, Mike Urry, wrote, "Thank you for helping this important cause. Steven would be proud of you!"

Below is a letter Mike shared with us that was written by Steven's best friend Garrett.

Dear Steven,

I know its been a while since we've talked but that does not mean I have stopped thinking about you. My last letter was at the end of the summer. I hope that you are doing well my man. I cannot believe how old you've gotten. You would have been all grown up,18, making plans about your future. Whatever you would have wanted to do, I would of supported you. However, I would have tried to get you to come to Ottawa with me. Who knows you might have ended up as one of my roommates. Think of all the fun we would have.

We could wake up in the morning, go to the gym, play sports, guitar, video games, anything we wanted. Even if you did not end up here I would have went and visited you wherever you were. I still cannot believe you're gone. It kills me inside to admit that. I still have days where its feels like i could pick up the phone, call you and hear your innocent, joyful voice on the other end of the receiver. God how I miss you.

My dear brother, not a whole lot is new with me. School is kind of kicking my ass this year. I have my own house with bills to pay, I feel so old. Sure its a lot of fun but it would be 100% better with you here. I can't even sum it up in words how much I miss you.

Every aspect of my life could be better with you still a part of it. From school, to our friendship, family. I would have loved to see who we would have became. Who knows what kind of girl you would end up with but I know you would treat her well. We talked about things like this together sometimes. With your genuine, fun loving personality you would be melting hearts everywhere. Now since you're gone, it is only my heart that is shattering.

It feels just like yesterday that I could walk practically down the street and go visit you. I want to go back to those times so bad. I loved having you always around to play street hockey with, come watch movies, race each other on bikes, beat each other up. There is no way I could have found myself a better brother. I love you and it is a true shame that you were taken from me at such an early age. We had our whole lives ahead of us. Did you know that I had dreams of me and you driving places, going on road trips together? You were my best friend, my brother and now you're gone and I have to try and pick up the pieces and try to keep going strong. It's so hard. I know that is what you would want me to do though so here I am and you're still lighting the way for me dear brother and you will always be the one who is watching over me, guiding me on a good path in life, keeping me safe. I'll miss and love you forever.

You'll be hearing from me again soon. I love you, little brother.

Love Garrett.

LONG HALLWAY, by Paul Richmond

2011-12-06T04:44:00.000-08:00

~Long Hallway, by Paul Richmond

"This is a sketch I made when I was in middle school. During recess, I often sat at the edge of the playground and drew because I struggled to fit in with my classmates and was tormented by name-calling and other forms of bullying. I was much taller than everyone else, uncoordinated, and more effeminate than a boy was supposed to be. This sketch shows how intimidating it could be just to make it down one of the long hallways in my school building, trying to slip through unscathed."

THERE IS LIGHT, by Pink Lightning

2011-12-06T04:22:00.001-08:00

~There Is Light, by Pink Lightning

"Words cut deep, deeper than any blade or bullet. The emotional toll teenagers and children alike have to pay through their young lives to sometimes unbearable. High school is the hardest part of life. Friendships are ruined, eternal bonds between people are broken when trust is tossed aside. If anybody knows how much pain a simple word can cause, it's me and my sister. I choose to relieve my stress through my work, she ventilates it in other, more excruciating ways. But she's another story all together. The meaning of this rather sloppy, unintended piece of my work? To show light when everything around you turns into darkness. You CAN survive and you ARE a special person. All you have to do is love yourself, so others can love you. I may be every one of those words on that mirror, in others' eyes. But to me, I am only one word. Unique."

YOU SURRENDERED, by Anonymous

2011-12-06T04:19:00.001-08:00

A nobody, a joke, a clown they see,
They stalk and shoot to tease,
and though their words constantly stab your back,
you still haven't gotten used to their attacks,

You're very brave to be a coward,
and the thought of the grave doesn't taste so sour,
You stick to the shadows
hoping to be veiled,
your dark plans with destiny
you keep in tow,
a thought so old it begins to grow stale,

Onward you trudge,
alone with nobody to trust,
to life you yet on but with you, you carry a grudge,
like a rusted razorblade cut,
you choose to prove them wrong,
You strive for revenge not caring if they're too strong,

With defeat too harsh to bear,
you think of that dark appointment with destiny,
and no longer care,
With them slits you put into your flesh,
you join me,
you surrender to death.

~You Surrendered, by Anonymous

LESSONS LEARNED, by Jodi M. Parish

2011-12-05T04:20:00.001-08:00

~Lessons Learned, by Jodi M. Parish

"The eye represents those who see the bullying and do nothing to intervene on the victim’s behalf. The snake represents people whose words spread like venom. The vulture represents those who do not do the initial bullying, but are always there to 'clean up the scraps'. The robed monster is the main antagonist and the horned monster is his second-in-command."

THE VOICE NAMED ANA, by Jessica Holt

2011-12-05T04:11:00.001-08:00

Out the window she stares
But she can feel the glares
The snares
That voice that does speak
That which makes her weak
Just a peek
In the mirror she sees
Something she wishes not to be
So terribly
Ugly is she so fat
The voice, she says that
Screamed at
The girl with tears on her face
Don't just stand in your place
Time to retrace
On your arms those lines
On her floor she lie supine
Color of wine
The blood covers the floor
Back the razor goes into the drawer
No more
She gets a hold of herself
Just no meal the food for day twelve
Stays on the shelf
To herself she is so rough
She listens to the voice that does bluff
Never thin enough

~The Voice Named Ana, by Jessica Holt

WORDS HURT, by Jen

2011-12-01T17:01:00.001-08:00

~Words Hurt, by Jen

"Words can be actually be worse than a punch in the face. A punch in the face hurts for while but heals, words can cut someone so deep that they cannot overcome them, it will stay with the victim forever, taunting them. Bullying is so wrong!"

YOU, by Nicky Price

2011-11-30T04:20:00.001-08:00

I never knew why you hated me so
To look at me and decide I would be the one
You would target
I didn't realize what you were doing
Until you had your claws into all of them
Changing their minds, their ideas
You were already too far gone
It all started when we were spinning
She fell and I went to help her
You accused me of pulling her hair
And that's the day it began
You sneered and snarled
Everything was my fault
If you fell
failed
drew a bad picture
made a bad joke
laughed and no one else did
tripped while skipping
missed in dodgeball
struck out in baseball
You spun and snarled
Blaming it on me.
I tried to fight back
But I had no idea what you were doing
I was so innocent
I didn't know what to do
Turned to my parents
To my teachers
To the principal
To my friends
But your claws were in too deep.
My mother called me melodramatic
Told me not to be so pessimistic.
The teachers said I was being intolerant
Told me to be more understanding of others
My friends simply made excuses
And walked away.
Then you convinced them I was bullying you
And suddenly
In three weeks
I went from having friends all around me
Family at my back
Teachers smiling at me
To no one around me
No one at my back
Everyone avoiding my eyes.
You took it all away.
My friends.
My trust.
My innocence.
Every shred of the veil that hid the horrors of the world
You stole it
Tore it
Burned it before my eyes
I hid
I came home every night and cried
Until my pillow was wet with tears.
Spring, Autumn, Winter.
As the seasons wore on
I turned inward more and more.
As the leaves fell
I hid
As the rain pelted down
I cried
As the cold days began to get warmer
I lost all hope it would ever change.
You stupid girl
You had me right where you wanted me
Then you got too confident
I knew the day my teacher saw you
It was the beginning of the end.
You, me, a classmate and my best friend
Were playing a game
Stupid game.
I worshipped my friend
She was the sun
My whole universe revolved around her.
When I grew up
I wanted to be just like her.
The game our class invented
Was so ridiculous
But what do you expect from eleven year olds?
We tied each other to poles
And the polee had fifteen minutes to free themselves
If they didn't
They lost
If they did
They won.
I lost more than the game that day.
The classmate got uncomfortable
But rather than stay and help
Left
Fleed
Ran like everyone else.
Then you smiled
Sneered at me
As I asked to be untied
Fifteen minutes was up
And the game had been lost.
Then you and my friend
My queen
Laughed
And said no.
You stuffed grass in my mouth
Laughed as tears streamed down my face
Then left me tied there when the bell rang.
The classmate appeared when you left
Untied me
Then quietly walked me back to class.
Went to explain to the teacher
But she already knew
Had seen the whole thing.
You vile creature
Manipulative beast
You even got away with that.
My friend was blamed
She apologized
The only time she ever said sorry
But it didn't matter.
She has no idea what she really did that day.
But you did.
Eventually
Summer came
The sun came out
And so did the truth
All the girls gathered around that wondrous table
While I cried
So hurt
But so happy it was over.
But it wasn't.
You
There are no words for you
Who never left a visible wound
But left me empty inside.
Five years later
Five long years of tucking it away
Trying to forget
Trying to make it all go away
You still make me cry
Still make me hurt
Still make me unable to trust anyone
You made me what I am today
A girl with a mask
Who has to be perfect
So no one ever has the excuse to run away again
Never leaves me
Alone
Terrified that she'll be alone
Terrified it'll happen all over again.
You
Monster
Who sits in my classes
Who I can't even be mad at
Because we made up so long ago.
I'm not angry at you.
Not angry at the fallen Queen
Not angry at my teachers
My so called friends
My classmates
My Mum
But who does that leave?
Me.
Gods
Why did you have to do it
What reason did you have to rip me apart
Chew me up and spit me out
Then set my remains on fire
Laughing as I burned.
What you did
Still affects me after five years
Why can't I just let it go?
You
Black Pearl
Hunter
You won in the end.
Your prize?
My happiness and innocence.
Congratulations.

~You, by Nicky Price
"I wrote the poem about an experience I had when I was ten or eleven. A girl we'll call 'Pearl' turned everyone I knew against me. My friends thought I was the bully, my teachers thought I was being intolerant and my parents thought I was over dramatising the situation. It's been six years now and it still affects me, I have anxiety and depression because of what she did. Luckily, about a year after it started everything came to light and everyone knows the truth now. Pearl and I made up, and I see her quite a lot around school (we have some of the same friends) and are able to be completely civil around each other. I think she's put that all behind her (I certainly hope so) and i've forgiven her for what happened. I spent a long time getting over it - hell, I still am, but I'm getting there thanks to support from my family and friends."

THE TORMENTS OF MY OBSESSIONS, by Mikalah Joseph

2011-11-30T04:14:00.001-08:00

~The Torments Of My Obsessions, by Mikalah Joseph

"The bullying in my class and at my school has recently gotten so bad I'm apparently not even allowed to talk about the things that I like. The amount of insults in this picture mention a few things that I like, and some people wouldn't really understand, but it can literally be replaced with any single thing that I speak about. Apparently I'm just a useless waste of space that doesn't deserve to be here. All of this in a single class. Ten times more during the day when I go to other classes. And during lunch time and recess and sometimes even before and after school. And the teachers always wonder why I don't like going to school. Every single time I try to talk to someone, their response is 'Just ignore them' but you can only keep ignoring them for so long before you break down."

TILES, by Shannon Chalmers

2011-11-30T04:11:00.001-08:00

I walk through the halls
Skulking as I try to blend with the shadows.
But they swarm me
Stabbing me with their words.

When they leave
I am left lying there
My happiness bleeding out of my wounds
Staining the white, white tiles.

I watch the warmth seep from me
Leaving me as cold as the stone I lie on.
Their words left me empty
And full of pain.

Pain is my life now
As each day they descend on me
And stab me with their daggers of words
To leave me dying on the tiles.

The people walk past
Acting oblivious to my pain.
Ignoring my screams for help
And let me die on the tiles.

Now these tiles are stained as much as me
Them with happiness
Me with pain.
Because their happiness was supposed to stain me.

~Tiles, by Shannon Chalmers

"Words are harsh. They stab us like knives. And everyone else just goes on, not caring that we are in pain. Like we are invisible."

EVERYONE HAS A FILTER, by Anonymous

2011-11-29T04:07:00.001-08:00

~Everyone has a Filter, by Anonymous

"It's about people who say mean things and act like it's justified because they 'don't have a filter' which frustrates me because everyone has a filter, those people just choose not to use theirs."

MAKE IT STOP, by Christopher Chet

2011-11-29T04:01:00.001-08:00

~Make It Stop, by Christopher Chet

"Bullying has led many to find escape, and for an unfortunate few of us, it’s cutting. A true addiction it is."

A BULLET FOR LOVE, by Jada Hall-Stanger

2011-11-29T03:58:00.001-08:00

She walks the school's grey halls a loner,
taking every step with caution,
knowing if she speaks she's a goner,
wishes she could be who she wants to be.

She's wishing, wanting, praying, haunting.
She's crying, rocking, tripping, taunting.
Holding all her feelings inside,
wishing she didn't have to hide.

Yesterday he ran for his life,
straight away from the cold metal against his head,
crying, praying that this strife
was not because of who he wished to wed.

He's wishing, wanting, praying, haunting.
He's crying, rocking, tripping, taunting.
Holding all his feelings inside,
wishing he didn't have to hide.

Alyssa was threatened with death today,
the girls told her to stay away.
The teachers did nothing but look and watch
while Alyssa begged the girls to stop.

Alyssa is wishing, she's wanting, she's praying, haunting.
She's crying, and rocking, tripping, and taunting.
Holding all her feelings inside,
Oh, how Alyssa wishes she didn't have to hide.

All these children brought to their knees
for something they did not chose to be,
and every single one of them... is

Wishing, wanting, praying, haunting.
Crying, rocking, tripping, taunting.
Holding all their feelings inside,
wishing they didn't have to hide.

~A Bullet For Love, by Jada Hall-Stanger

SAFE PLACE, by Lilian Bruce

2011-11-27T06:05:00.001-08:00

~Safe Place, by Lilian Bruce

"I myself was not bullied all that much in school, but many of my friends were. I hate the effect that it has on everyone. It is senseless and shows that the person doing it has problems they need to sort out, taking it out on others is not healthy for either person. We all need to take a stand to stop it, I do not believe in world peace but maybe we can live in harmony and stop the cruelty."

BULLYING, by MyOwnPoetry

2011-11-27T06:02:00.001-08:00

Hateful words flying here and there.
Everyone's heart tears.
They pretend their okay
But they know.
That's why they sink to yet another low.

They watch you try to climb back up
And laugh when they catch the sight of you crying.
The sight of your tears
And the realization that they have found your vast fear.
You just lost the war.

For a long time now,
I've realized how many secrets I've hid
And personality quirks that I bid farewell.
I could tell they would use them against me.
Why would they leave the 'outcast' be?

But I've found out what's true.
Their nothing to fear
But only to pity.
Their witty and cruel words
Were meant to soothe their battered souls.

Don't let them hurt you
Because now you know why they do it.
Every bit of harsh wording and cruel judgment…
The only way to keep themselves sane
And relieve their unforgiving pain.

~Bullying, by MyOwnPoetry

IS THIS WHAT I AM, ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? by Lydia Harrison

2011-11-27T05:57:00.001-08:00

~Is this what I am, are you happy now? by Lydia Harrison

"I get bullied everyday, mostly emotionally but it sometimes its physically. I started listening and believing what they were saying about me and eventually started to cut. This piece is left unfinished on purpose to show that I'm not complete, I only coloured in the parts that I thought needed to be."

BULLYING, by Marcella Bogatzky

2011-11-23T14:33:00.001-08:00

~Bullying, by Marcella Bogatzky

Hidden in the friendly faces, behind fake smiles.

No matter what you try, they are always there.

All day, every moments.

And no tears that you spill, no desperate scream make it to end.

It's a nightmare. An eternal nightmare.

BULLYING, by Anonymous

2011-11-23T14:23:00.001-08:00

Bullies

they hurt everybody.

everybody feels the pain.

I can't sleep when I think about how many Kids Kill themselves Across The Planet.

Bullies are unsure about themselves so they hurt others with those doubts.

i've been called Whore.

When i've never even hugged my Boyfriend.

I have a Boyfriend Online.

because the boys here think i'm hideous.

if they could only know who I am on the inside.

I am nice.

i'm not girly.

I don't nag at boys.

I don't wear pounds of make-up because I love myself for who I am.

I have been called ugly.

because my cheeks are naturally rose colored.

because my hair naturally shines under the sun.

because my eyes shine under the sun.

I don't understand.

But when did I ever understand?

they listen to Pop Music.

I listen to Metal.

My music has meaning in they're lyrics and care for music.

when they're Music has no meaning and the singers don't give a care about music.

I sing on The Bus.

I am told I sound horrible.

when I sound better than all of them.

But who am I to judge?

I love people for who they are.

not by what they look like or what they own.

they don't know what pain is.

Pain Is my friend.

My Life is not "Perfect" likes they'res.

I do not have rich parents that let me run around like crazy.

because they truly care for me.

No matter what.

I don't get what I want for crying for it.

I have to work for it.

while they can simply ask.

Bullying hurts.

Help stop it.

~Bullying, by Anonymous

"This is to help Bullying to end it for good Bullying hurts and people kill themselves because of it and we can end this as well."

STRENGTH IS NOT FOR BULLYING, by DJ Wilde and Galaxy Zento

2011-11-23T14:04:00.001-08:00

~Strength is not for Bullying, by DJ Wilde and Galaxy Zento

This is King Falcon, a hero of the Galaxy Zento universe. He's the protector of several planets and believes your strength is better used for the benefit of others. Just because you are strong, does not mean you can prey on those weaker than you. To learn more about Galaxy Zento and it's characters visit the Facebook Fan page. Other artists should check out the guest artist project.

DIVERSITY, by Alan Gi

2011-11-22T03:18:00.001-08:00

~Diversity, by Alan Gi

"Diversity is part of our world. It's what makes this world so unique; the blending of other cultures and societies. Embrace who you are, and embrace others for who they are."

A WORLD ANEW, by Robert Stone

2011-11-20T18:40:00.001-08:00

Not nakedness but difference perhaps
results from knowing good and evil ways.
Each trait that sets apart the other, traps
the unsure self who sees and names and preys.

Not inner strength but outer brawn upholds
destructive taunts entangling beaten down.
Each act that hurts with stinging words unfolds
the horror of compassionless false clown.

Not all at once but step by step the weak
may find that those who strike are victims too.
Each help that stops another damning clique
or brings more hope can build a world anew.

Mature as well as young are bullied
and struggling fall behind and pull ahead.

~A world anew, by Robert Stone

a sonnet responding to Elizabeth, a book by Edith Briggs

GIRL OF SILENCE, by SuSu

2011-11-20T18:36:00.001-08:00

~Girl of Silence, by SuSu

ECHOES OF JUDGEMENT, by lackofevolution

2011-11-20T18:32:00.001-08:00

Trapped alone I cry, I can't see a single face,
As the echoes of judgement attacks my life's core,
A CD plays, in my room the only sound,
As the echoes of the schoolyard keep me sadness bound,
The pointed finger that attacked at school,
Remains in my room, to disbelieve the majority is to brake a rule,
I stand in front of the mirror and become jealous of my reflection,
It can't blame it self for its appearance, thus has no thought of protection,
My body image, my self confidence and trust,
Sit on aging shelf collecting dust,
The echo yells, a reminder to see,
I can't hide from their reach, look to save to me,
Eating dinner a smile I wear,
Would my parents agree or state that's unfair,
A youthful mind has limited protection,
A single word can be the start of a life lasting infection,
Not all can survive that long,
I want to last however have been taught that is wrong,
A meal is shared, so too a word,
They fail to see my retreat from the genetic herd,
The smile I wear, the shinning light,
Will disappear, giving into the night,
Trapped alone I cry, I can't see a single face,
My suicide was caused by bullying, a program known as MySpace.

~Echoes of Judgement, by lackofevolution

"Perception of a young teenager that is bullied only to return home and have the bullying continue. There was a time when a person could hide in their home however with the evolution of technology, social media and a reliance on those forms of communication, teenagers can’t hide, not even in their room. This poem is my attempt to explain an issue that doesn’t get much notice, a problem that is growing unless people acknowledge that it does occur, I’m proud to see that the – you will rise project, is attempting to do just that."

BULLYING, by Yatzy

2011-11-16T04:11:00.001-08:00

~Bullying, by Yatzy

"I made this, some day at school after some guys had bullied me. I was with some friends of mine and was talking exaclty about bullying. Suddenly, this guy from the sportsclass came up to us and started to mock me. I was with two friends, one of them was a guy and the other were a girl. The girl saw me crying and started pulling me inside the school away from the guy, while my other bestfriend held the one who was mocking me away from me so I could be alone. I cried the rest of the day while i drew this picture, but, it all was going to be ok. And i knew it, i just have to take my tears out if the system. My friends were helping me and cheered me up. So please all of you. Hold you head high, cause it`s going to be ok."

UNICORN, by QueenOfAll Dragons

2011-11-16T04:08:00.001-08:00

~Unicorn, by QueenOfAllDragons

THAT KID, by Alice Marie

2011-11-16T04:05:00.001-08:00

Middle school
You’ve got your kids with braces
You’ve got your bitches and jocks
You’ve got your teachers’ pets
You’ve got your brainiacs
And then there’s that kid
There’s that kid who just doesn’t fit in
A puzzle piece from another box
A square peg in a world of circular holes
That kid
Picked last in gym
Sitting alone at the lunch table
Crying in the bathroom because some jerk called him a faggot
Getting pushed into a locker because he’s too weak to fight back
Going home to his mom
“Hey honey, how was your day?”
“Fine. It was fine.”
But it wasn’t
And it won’t be
Until
Until
Until one day that kid is a CEO of a big ol’ company
In a big ol’ house
With a little ol’ Mercedes Benz in his driveway
And that jerk who called him a faggot is outside his house, and why?
Why is he there?
After all these years, what the hell could he want?
Oh
He’s just here in his garbage truck picking up the trash

~That Kid, by Alice Marie

"This is dedicated to everyone that was ever bullied in school. Don't worry, Karma is a bitch. <3"

A WEAK OF BULLYING, by Anonymous

2011-11-15T03:30:00.001-08:00

Please don't make me go mom
It's horrible you know
The pain and suffering that I endure
Everyday at school

On Mondays they take my lunch
On Tuesdays it's not much better
On Wednesdays they beat me up
Then throw me in my locker

The teachers, they don't notice
My bruises, cuts, and bumps
Everyone just avoids me
It's like I have the mumps

On Thursdays they steal my homework
On Fridays they call me names
And on Saturdays, oh you wonder
Why I never go out to play

I told you not to make me go
I really truly tried
But on this day I went to school
They beat me till I died

My head cracking on the sidewalk
Echoes in my ears
Now you understand
Just why I had these fears

~A Weak of Bullying, by Anonymous

"This is a poem I wrote about how there are no 'weeks' when you're bullied, only 'weaks.'"

BULLYING, IT HURTS, by Anonymous

2011-11-15T03:26:00.001-08:00

~Bullying, It Hurts, by Anonymous

NO ESCAPE, by Alontwig

2011-11-15T03:23:00.001-08:00

A frighting scream echos in my head
No way to escape the pain of the words you have said
A burning sensation scaring the heart
You spoke your words, as if an art
All starting once you came
My suffering only a stain

~No Escape, by Alontwig

DAMAGED, by Blanka Sustrova

2011-11-14T04:15:00.001-08:00

~Damaged, by Blanka Sustrove

"Never let some stupid people to ruin your life with bullying. Violence is the lowest type of behavior that can be found. It's them who have got the problem, not you. I know it is hard to resist, but anytime you feel bad, smile. Everybody has the right to live a happy life. Don't be afraid to tell anybody. You can fight together."

PURPLE HEART, NO BULLYING, by Bree M.

2011-11-14T04:03:00.001-08:00

~Purple Heart, No Bullying, by Bree M.

THE POWER OF WORDS, by Stephanie Liput

2011-11-14T04:00:00.001-08:00

The things we say
can change the world
make others laugh, smile, and proud
When we speak to help others
those words improve humanity
When we speak to encourage others
those words spread hope
When we speak to accept others
those words end hate

The things we say
can tear the world down
make others cry, frown, and ashamed
When we speak to hurt others
those words damage humanity
When we speak to intimidate others
those words spread fear
When we speak to reject others
those words end love

When we speak in love
hate is forgotten
No one must live scorned and scarred

When we speak in hate
love is forgotten
No one will live with delight and joy

~The Power of Words, by Stephanie Liput

"I wrote this poem in 2009, for an old friend of mine, who had recently come out as gay. My younger cousin, who lives near him heard this and began making Homophobic comments about him to me. This angered me and made me think about my own past. I myself have been the target of bullies and have faced both physical and verbal attacks. By the time I was in the 5^th grade I was severely depressed and suicidal. For years I faced it alone hanging on to the hope that it would get better. In June 2009, I became one of the first in my family to receive a High School Diploma. I am now in college working for an Art Degree. I have yet to fully break free from my past. I’m still fighting with my depression. There are new bullies that have taken the place of my former classmates. But every day I get up because I don’t face it alone anymore. I hang on because I know it will get better."

I WON'T LET YOU... by Elle124

2011-11-13T19:34:00.001-08:00

I won't let you hurt me
With your words or your hands,
I won't let you torture me
With your looks and your stares.

You have no control over me
Cause I won't let you
hurt me, torture me.

I'm strong enough to fight you!
With my words and my hands
With my looks or my stares.

~I Won't Let You... by Elle124

ROLLING AGAINST BULLYING, by Anonymous

2011-11-13T19:32:00.001-08:00

~Rolling Against Bullying, by Anonymous

WITH EVERY JOKE... by Tristan Cody

2011-11-13T19:28:00.001-08:00

This girl just lost her baby sister.
In the comfort of food she takes refuge.
Always crying because she can't even remember the last time she kissed her.
Yet every night you sit in your room, you wicked – sinister mister.
You make up puns and names for her –
Well you deserve to rot in Hell, sir!
Do you truly want to know the reason?
With Every Joke you make her spew out confidence.

This boy has a learning disability,
You call him stupid, really?
He spends hours with his head in the books –
You spend hours sharpening your hooks.
To cut into him –
To make him flimsy and thin –
Truthfully, you will one day pay for your sins.
For every remark, you lose your entire honor.
With Every Joke you make him number.

The girl, right there, walking the halls.
She may have a two year old son as of the fall.
She is bright and one day wants to own a small store.
Yet you call her a slut and a whore.
She was defiled,
So are you going to stop your tongue so vile?
Are you going to reconcile?
With Every Joke you don't only hurt her, you hurt the child.

Like a bullet in a chamber.
Like a fearful lion tamer.
Like gasoline to a fire,
Like a fable to a constant liar.
Like bait for a bear,
And aggravation to a fear –
All of these are just a sharpener to the knife.
With Every Joke, you will take away a life.

Chained to your words,
Like a wingless bird.
You will never get off the ground.
Mainly because your insolence makes you Hell Bound –
Sadly, you have danced with the Hounds.
Now are you ready to pay for the tearing of the prom gown?
What comes up must come down.
Just like how everything comes back around.
So for every daughter-less mother,
For every sister-less brother.
For every son-less father,
And brother-less sister.
I will open your eyes to your sins!
With Every Joke you could kill someone's kin.

~With Every Joke... by Tristan Cody

"A poem that sheds light on the horrid reality that is bullying. Do not judge, before you know the person. Do not blame, before you know the reason. Do not taunt, until you know what is the cause. Everyone has a reason on why they act, look, or speak - No matter what that reason is, they are people too, they are loved and they are perfect."

TYPECAST MY DRAGON SLEEPS, by Shannon Kringen

2011-11-08T03:40:00.000-08:00

~Typecast my Dragon Sleeps, by Shannon Kringen

The piece is about finding a sense of self through taking many self portrait photos and painting my face in my own unique way. I was bullied a lot as a kid for being "weird and different". i was the loner misfist aRtist in my high school who hid out in the aRt room and found solace in playing tennis, making art, writing, acting and singing in the choir. my social life was so very happy aside from a couple good friends. but on "stage" and with my aRt making and sharing i felt powerful and valuable. today i model for art classes and this makes me feel included and needed/appreciated part of the community.

still working on healing my personal life.

STILL, by Alexa Nakkula

2011-11-04T04:02:00.000-07:00

~Still, by Alexa Nakkula

"I did this painting one evening after I got home from work. I have suffered with intense rheumatoid arthritis in my toes since I was thirteen and now in my knee, thus creating joint issues in my back. I am now 20 and I have been dealing with being called "cripple", rude comments, and weird looks as I limp around since about middle school. But this one day at work made more angry than all of those other years combined. My coworker asked me why I limped around so much and couldn't work double shifts. I explained to her about my severe joint damage from inflammation and how I cannot stand too long and that it messes up my other joints. So she then rudely replies, " Well if you're crippled why the hell do you have a job?" I was so angry at her, she not only used the dreaded name "cripple" but she made it seem like I couldn't support myself or do anything. I was so infuriated that I painted in order to relax, and to be honest, this email cannot contain the words I felt after she said that, they can only be explained by looking at my painting."

SCHOOL BUILDING, by Paul Richmond

2011-10-31T03:45:00.000-07:00

~School Building, by Paul Richmond

"This is a sketch I made in middle school that shows how intimidating a classroom environment can be for someone who is bullied."

BE YOU. by KimorasAngel

2011-10-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

~Be You. by KimorasAngel

"What people say to you and about you has no effect on who you really are Be who you are. Not who people say you are."

I WAS BULLIED, by Alan Gi

2011-10-28T03:35:00.000-07:00

~I was bullied, by Alan Gi

I think many people can relate to this statement. The picture doesn't show the full sentence which was "I was bullied because ... (fill in the blank)".

People are bullied for many reasons: being fat, being too skinny, being too pretty, too quiet, too smart, too dumb... Sometimes just the silliest things can be turned into a means of bullying people and demoralizing them. It's unnecessary and hurtful.

I'm proud to say that I've been a part of the Diversity Team at my school for 3 years. The team helps promote an inviting atmosphere; where school is a place to learn and make friends. School is not a place where one would fear persecution for his or her beliefs, ideas, or lifestyle.

YOU...ARE NOBODY, by Ari Mansfield

2011-10-27T03:24:00.000-07:00

“You, are nobody!” The bully screamed at me. It hurt a lot. It hurt because of the people watching. The bully. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’. It hurt because I was shedding tears in front of all these people. Whoever said sticks and stones can break your bones etc. etc. deserves some sort of award, they were obviously the biggest optimist ever. But this is not the point. Whether names hurt you or not, there is no human dead or alive that deserves to be bullied. And it shouldn’t have hurt that day. But it did, it hurt a lot.

It wasn’t until afterwards that I realized exactly why it shouldn’t hurt. Who cares about everyone. The bully. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’. The fact is, nobody is perfect, and that’s exactly who I was, nobody. Even the bully had admitted it. “You, are nobody!” They had all laughed in agreement. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’. They didn’t realize the irony of the situation.

It happened again. It always did. I lined up. The cafeteria lady smiled. He stood next to me. The bully. He swung his fist. They gathered. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’. I ducked. The choreography so well rehearsed it rivaled even the greatest Broadway production. He threw me to the ground.

“You, are nobody!” The bully screamed at me. It didn’t hurt a lot. It didn’t hurt because of the people watching. The bully. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’. I sat myself up, no tears, and replied, calmly, “I know. That’s the reason I’m going to help you. Nobody is perfect. I am sorry you have to bully me. Let me help you.” The bully began to cry. They left. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’.

You see, what I never realized was that I didn’t need help. I was fine. The people who needed help were the others. The bully. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’. I realize now that because I was nobody, I was perfect, and the only one who could help them all it. It was easier with some. The sidekicks. The bystanders. My ‘friends’. All they needed was someone to stand up to the bully. It was more difficult in one case, since the final cafeteria incident we have come along way. All they needed was someone to reach out and help. Someone perfect. The bully. He needed that nobody. The victim.

~You...Are Nobody, by Ari Mansfield

BULLIED RABBIT, by Seth

2011-10-27T03:20:00.000-07:00

~Bullied Rabbit, by Seth

"This drawing was actually an idea from a friend of mine. I guess it just goes to show that even cartoons can get bullied too! In reality though, it sickens me how simply doing something you like can automatically label you as a nerd. (In the rabbit's case, he likes being a clown) I'm often called a nerd simply because I like drawing and playing a bunch of video games. The best advice I can give is to just accept it, because no matter how much you try to fight it and get it through these peoples' thick skulls they will never change their thoughts."

WAR ALL AROUND, by Kaitlin Castillo

2011-10-27T03:16:00.000-07:00

Hate.
Another form of war.
Bullying.
Another death that could have been stopped.
Self inflicted pain.
Blood that never needs to be shed.
Depression.
Something a person, especially a child, should never feel.
Sadness.
Is all one should feel when hurting another.

~War all around, by Kaitlin Castillo

"I usually just pick a topicabout what i would like to write about, or something serious that is kind of ataboo in society. This poem is one of my short poems, but i think itsays a lot. I don't think you need to describe everything, to get your pointacross."