And this is why.....
What is Spirit Day?
The idea behind Spirit Day, first created by teenager Brittany McMillan earlier this month, is a simple one, not dissimilar to the idea of "Spirit Week" held in many high schools, and can be summed up in three words: Everyone Rally Together.
Spirit Day honors the teenagers who had taken their own lives in recent weeks. But just as importantly, it's also a way to show the hundreds of thousands of LGBT youth who face the same pressures and bullying, that there is a vast community of people who support them.
Purple symbolizes 'spirit' on the rainbow flag,
a symbol for LGBT Pride that was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978.
As one of the event's Facebook pages says: "This event is not a seminar nor is it a rally. There is NO meeting place. All you have to do is wear purple."
Wearing purple on October 20 is a simple way to show the world that you stand by these courageous young people and a simple way to stand UP to the bullies. Remember those lives we've tragically lost, and show your solidarity with those who are still fighting. 'Go Purple' today!
So today I wear Purple.
Here are a few "purple" pictures that I have taken.
And a special one with a message from me.....
Be kind...
Peace
4 comments:
BRAVO for wearing purple, and may I just say, it's a wonderful color for you!
The bullying and harassment and HATE that is going around like a virus is so painful to watch. I examined my past to remember times when I felt like I was being bullied or harassed. There were some moments...a few people...meanness that made me feel like I might be worthless. But then I also remembered a girl who was in our "clique" back in school. We got tired of her ways and we "dumped" her. We'd get up from the lunch table when she'd try to sit with us. We wouldn't speak to her. Then we started making prank phone calls to her house. I was a bully! It really upset me to think of the pain and anguish I may have caused her and her family. Imagine being a 13 year-old girl and all of your "friends" turn their backs on you and make you an outcast.
Luckily we're friends again, through the magic of social networking. She's my Facebook friend and we've talked about this. I've apologized and she's forgiven me. But what if? What if the actions of a group of teenage girls (including me) acting stupid would have made her feel helpless and hopeless? What if she had done something drastic? I'm so ashamed. Thank goodness she's forgiven me...now maybe I'll learn to forgive myself someday.
Today I'm wearing purple. I feel like something magical happened at midnight when my FB news feed was turning purple. What a beautiful sight! I support all LGBT people, accept them without judgment, and pray that those struggling with issues surrounding their sexuality and feelings of despair will feel the spirit of "purple" and know that people care. And everyday I strive to be a kind person to everyone. Thanks for your blog today, Barb!
Hey There KB :-)
I'm so glad you stopped by and left a comment.
I think kids just do things without even thinking of the consequences. Looking back, I'm pretty sure that I never picked on anyone. I treated everyone who talked to me the same. I was not a popular kid by any means, but I knew and talked to a lot of people. I was kinda middle of the road. So much of our school was split into groups. You know the kinds....Jocks, Stoners, Cheerleaders, Nerds, and the rest of us who just made it through! It's too bad that kids are labeled like that, but they are. And honestly, as an adult, I still feel like I have labels on me. I don't think we ever lose that.
I'm glad that you have rekindled that friendship and you guys have been able to talk about it. It takes a lot courage to admit to someone that you were wrong and to apologize. I'm glad you did that KB :-)
Hopefully we will continue to see more and more purple today :-)
**thanks for the compliment!**
Barb & Karina, what an inspirational blog & comments to read! I adore the both of you!
Barb, I was "middle-of-the -road" in school too. I saw how the "popular crowd" looked down at the poorer kids, but I have to say I never saw bullying. It may be because we all grew up together. Same school,& circle of friends. We rarely had new students. If we did they were annexed from country schools.
We had many special needs kids, but would never dream of belittling them. We never had black students, but for some reason I never thought of them any worse or better than myself. Maybe we were a little too insulated, because I was not prepared for the many injustices I saw when I moved away.
I pray that those being bullied will find the support they need and believe that things will get better!
thanks mary :-)
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