A young man named Cole had a powerful impact on students during a recent anti-bullying assembly at Rio Linda Preparatory Academy (RLPA). In fact, he took students through a range of emotions when he talked about how he was hurt by the words and actions of bullies.
“I saw a lot of kids that bully other kids crying today because they know they are doing wrong,” said Cicliy, an eighth-grader.
Cole’s appearance at RLPA was sponsored by Club Live and a Sacramento-based nonprofit called B.R.A.V.E. (Bullies Are Really Violating Everyone) Society. Cole talked about how the bystander effect is a phenomenon that states the more bystanders, the more unlikely that any one of them will say something or do something to be B.R.A.V.E. He encouraged students to speak up if they witness bullying. Martin Luther King Said, “in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Students say that’s sometimes hard to do.
“They don’t tell anyone because then they will get made fun of,” added Cicliy.
But Cole encouraged student to stand strong.
“If all of you stand up for someone being bullied you will never have to worry about being made fun of for standing up for what you believe in.” said Cole.
