Anti-Bullying Day, or Pink Shirt Day, is an annual event on the last where we wear a pink shirt to school/work to symbolize a stand against bullying. This commemoration began in Canada back in 2007 when two high school students from Nova Scotia handed out 50 pink shirts to fellow students after a male student had been bullied when he wore a pink shirt on the first day of school.
This idea quickly spread across the country, and now the last Wednesday of February is the national anti-bullying day in Canada. The idea has become a global one, and today, many countries worldwide celebrate an anti-bullying day on various dates throughout the year. This year, in Canada, the focus for pink shirt day is “Lift Each Other Up.”
What exactly is bullying?
Bullying can be defined as the use of verbal or physical force, abuse or threats to intimidate another person.
Bullying is when someone deliberately tries to hurt another person they feel is weaker than them. There are numerous forms of bullying, but the most common forms include:
- verbal (teasing, name-calling, threatening
- physical (hitting, pushing, kicking and breaking things)
- social (gossiping, spreading rumours, intentionally leaving someone out)
- cyber (using technology like texting and social media to embarrass, threaten or damage reputation.)
What can I do as a Heritage College Student?
Heritage College, like most schools, has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, harassment and bullying from both students, faculty, employees, and other members of the community. As Heritage College students, no matter the program and career path you have chosen, you now have a professional code of conduct that you should be adhering to whether you are on campus, participating in online classes, are out on practicum, or out in public.
This code of conduct involves treating your fellow students, instructors, faculty, preceptors, co-workers and employers with dignity and respect. Remember, even as alumni of our college, you are representing yourself more than just yourself. You are representing your alma matter and all the students who will be graduating after you.
This not only means behaving professionally but it also means standing up to those you feel are bullying yourself or others. Stand up and speak out.
We know speaking out can sometimes be a challenging thing to do. This is where the pink shirt comes in. It is a way to show others that you do not tolerate bullying and that you support those who have been, or are currently being, bullied. It shares that you are a person that can be trusted to help end the abuse.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world how important mental health is. Now, more than ever, the world is seeing firsthand just how much we all need each other. We all need to encourage healthy self-esteem and support each other with kindness, compassion and empathy.
If you, or someone you know, is being bullied in any way, please contact someone you trust or any member of the Heritage College team. Know that we are all here for you and will help and support you in any way we can.
