I found myself standing at the edge of an expansive cornfield, when suddenly, hands grabbed me and tossed me into the mud. I fell face-first into the damp earth of Pennsylvania, spluttering out dirt. My hat, mittens, and coat were thrown aside, and later, I was so soaked that the school nurse insisted I change into pants provided by the school. Bullying means you’re always on guard, uncertain of what will happen next.
As I approached the coat closet in my classroom, I recalled the red coat with fur lining that my sister had lent me. I had promised to take care of it, but then I spotted Anna snatching it off its hanger. It tumbled to the floor, and I watched helplessly as she stomped on it, leaving dusty marks on the plush fabric. When I told the teacher, she shrugged it off. I wept as I tried to clean the footprints, worried about what my sister would say. I had bragged about the coat, and now it was ruined. Bullying means you can’t enjoy nice things.
I felt utterly alone—no real friends to sit with or confide in. With no one to guide me, I didn’t realize I needed to shave my legs. Wearing skirts was the norm, and Sarah along with some boys cruelly remarked that I looked like a gorilla. That night, I shaved but ended up with a nasty gash on my shin. Their laughter echoed in my ears. Bullying means there’s no way to escape the ridicule.
One summer, I owned a gray shirt featuring an English Setter, a breed I adored. However, I feared someone would mock me for wearing it, so I kept it hidden. Bullying means you start to shrink your world to avoid taunts.
During that same summer, I visited a friend whose brother, Sam, tormented me relentlessly. One day, he struck me between the legs with a stick, and in my defense, I covered myself. “Why are you touching yourself?” he mocked. Bullying means that even in self-defense, you become the object of ridicule.
High school brought more of the same. Some girls concocted a story that I was dating a guy I had a crush on. I thought I had a boyfriend for all of two days, but he didn’t even speak to me. These girls feigned concern and sent one of his friends to break the news: “Ryan isn’t dating you, Liz.” Their laughter was deafening, and they eventually set me up with the least popular boy in class, pressuring me to kiss him. I didn’t like him, but I felt compelled to comply. Their laughter was relentless, and I eventually found a new lunch table. Bullying means you can’t trust anyone.
One morning, while chatting with a friend in class, Allen yelled, “Shut up, Liz, you’re ugly!” As if looks dictated whether I had a right to speak. For a fourteen-year-old girl, being called ugly is devastating. Bullying means you question your worth.
Another time, while studying for a Latin test, Michael, seated in front of me, wrote “LEZZIE” on my paper. I reacted impulsively and slapped him, resulting in both of us being sent to the office. Bullying means you can’t express yourself without facing consequences.
This was all part of a systematic attack. Spitballs whizzed through the classroom—so typical, yet so harsh! I was often labeled ugly, and one boy and his friends focused their efforts on me. Bullying means feeling like it’s one against many.
A friend once told me another mutual friend was upset with me, leading me to believe I had lost someone dear. I would have done anything to remedy the situation, and eventually received a letter penned in a messy, high school style. It didn’t address what had transpired; it felt like an erasure. Bullying means you’re never certain when a friend might turn against you.
From age 7 through high school, I endured this torment. The only person who stood up for me was Melanie, who took significant risks to do so. I have always admired her bravery, especially considering how many turned away, including teachers who dismissed my pleas as mere tattling. Melanie’s actions showed me that bullying doesn’t have to go unchecked; there are those who will speak out.
The world is in dire need of more Melanies. We require individuals willing to say, “That’s not right, it’s unfair, that hurts someone—stop.” We can be the change we want to see. Because above all, bullying teaches us that silence is not the answer.
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In summary, bullying can leave deep scars, making one feel isolated, self-conscious, and doubtful. However, it’s vital to remember that speaking up can bring about change, and we all have the power to stand against unfairness.