Have you ever felt alone and isolated? Sad and depressed due to your inability to connect to others? Not understanding what is happening to you or to those around you? That’s something that GLSEN (pronounced glisten) has been wanting to stop and prevent since 1990. An education foundation, GLSEN aims to attack bullying on all fronts. By incorporating the Department of Education and Congress, GLSEN takes an indirect approach to reaching children by changing school policies. They conduct extensive research and partner with national education organizations in order to make a more conducive anti-bullying environment. To effect change, they also empower students to stand up to bullying instead of being a bystander. This direct attack on bullying occurs in schools around the world with the help from teachers all around the world. However, the lessons and important understandings that have to be learned do not stop with the teachers. This national No Name Calling Week is an event that will reach students right inside their schools. They will be introduced to new topics and given more insightful tips on how to prevent bullying.
GLSEN’s mission statement states: “At GLSEN, we want every student, in every school, to be valued and treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We believe that all students deserve a safe and affirming school environment where they can learn and grow.” Not only does GLSEN prevent bullying, they also try to make students more aware and accepting of the LGBT community.
Did you know that 7 out of 10 LGBT students are harassed at school for who they are? Did you know that 1 in 2 students are verbally harassed because of their gender expression? These facts are a daily part of life for some students. It is not something that can be ignored. The No Name Calling week at Whippany Park High School is hosted by the ERASE (End Racism and Sexism Everywhere) club. Starting Monday, January 16th, also known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and ending Friday, January 20th, which is also the President’s Inaugural Day, the No Name Calling Week will surely produce a change in the school’s atmosphere. I hope that Whippany Park High School will not be the only one participating in this event. It would be great if the nation's schools all decided to change their attitude on bullying and work hard to show improvement. This No Name Calling event will facilitate greater change around the world.
