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April 15, 2019 /

The Courage to Stand in Pink: Why We Must Show Up Against Bullying

On April 10th, communities around the world united under one powerful, simple act: wearing pink. Not because pink is just a colour, but because on this day, it is a statement. A declaration that we choose love over hate. That we will not stand by while others are belittled, isolated, or made to feel like they don’t belong.

This day, The International Day of Pink, started with two high school students who saw a classmate being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. They stepped in, but they knew that stopping one act of cruelty wasn’t enough. So, a few days later, they bought pink shirts and encouraged their classmates to wear them in solidarity. And people showed up. A movement was born. A message was sent: “Anyone can be a bully. Anyone can be a victim. But together, we can stop it.”

Every year on the second Wednesday of April, millions of people wear pink—not just to raise awareness about homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, but to say we do not tolerate it. This isn’t about performative activism. It’s not about wearing a colour and then moving on with our day. It’s about choosing courage over comfort. It’s about the uncomfortable conversations we need to have. The times we’ve stayed silent when we should have spoken up. The moments we’ve excused “harmless teasing” when, in reality, words were cutting someone to pieces. Because bullying doesn’t just create bad days. It creates pain. It creates shame. It creates silence. And sometimes, tragically, it leads to suicide.

I, too, have been a victim of bullying, more times than I care to count. But there’s one experience that still lingers, one that left a mark far deeper than just words ever could. An ex-boyfriend of mine spray-painted profanities about me, along with my personal home and cell phone number, all over my high school. It was public. It was personal. And it was brutal.

I still remember the feeling of walking through those hallways, my heart pounding, my stomach in knots. The way people whispered as I passed, the smirks, the laughter, the ones who didn’t even try to hide their amusement. Like my pain was entertainment. I cried in the bathroom. I cried in my friends’ laps at lunch. I cried in places I don’t even remember because it felt like there was nowhere to hide. It was humiliating. Devastating. Traumatic. And the worst part? He never faced a single consequence.

Bullying isn’t just words. It’s not something you “get over” or “toughen up” from. It leaves scars—ones that no one else can see, but that you carry with you long after the world has moved on. This is why this cause means everything to me. Because I know what it’s like to feel powerless. I know what it’s like to be the one people whisper about. I know what it’s like to wonder if it will ever stop. And if sharing my story can remind even one person that they are not alone, that they will get through this, that they deserve kindness, respect, and safety—then it’s worth it.

Bullying has to stop. And we have to be the ones to stop it.

Kids are told to stand up for themselves. To be strong. That “It’s just words, don’t let it get to you.” But research tells us a different story.

  • Victims of bullying are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to Yale University.
  • A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are linked to bullying.
  • According to ABC News, nearly 30% of students are either bullies or victims.
  • 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of the fear of being bullied.

That last one? Read it again. 160,000 kids. Every single day. Too afraid to show up. Too afraid to be themselves. How did we get here? We live in an era where technology has advanced beyond belief, where we have access to endless education, where movements for equality and justice gain momentum every day. And yet, bullying is worse than ever.

Cyberbullying has given cruelty a 24/7 platform. Social media has made comparison a culture. And somehow, we’ve created a world where bullies aren’t just tolerated, they’re often celebrated.

According to Canadian research:

  • 64% of kids have been bullied at school.
  • 72% have witnessed bullying.
  • 61-80% say bullies are often popular and hold high status among peers.

Read that last one again. How did we let this happen? How did we create a society where cruelty is seen as cool? And more importantly, how do we change it?

I was recently in a training course with a group of strangers. On the first day, our instructor asked us to set some ground rules. Someone shouted “Respect.” Another said “Open-mindedness.” Someone else added “No judging.” We were from everywhere—Guiana, India, China, Portugal, Nigeria, Jerusalem. Different backgrounds, different stories. But do you know what happened over the next two weeks? We laughed together. We learned from each other. We built friendships. Because we weren’t focused on what made us different. We were just humans. Which is exactly how it should be.

Bullying isn’t just a school problem. It’s a people problem. It happens in the workplace, on social media, in families, even in friendships. It exists in small, insidious ways. Sarcasm that cuts too deep, exclusion that isolates, words that leave bruises even if they can’t be seen. The truth? One person alone can’t change the world. But we can start with ourselves.

When we’re in a bad mood, we can make the conscious decision not to take it out on someone else. If we see bullying happening, we can have the courage to speak up. If someone is struggling, we can reach out and ask, “Are you okay?” If we’ve hurt someone, even unintentionally, we can own it. Apologise. Do better. And if we ever feel like we are on the receiving end of cruelty, we can remind ourselves: Their actions reflect them, not me. Because at the end of the day, bullies aren’t powerful. They aren’t strong. They aren’t cool. They’re scared.

People who hurt others are often trying to fill their own voids. They seek control where they feel powerless. They make others feel small because somewhere inside, they feel insignificant. That doesn’t excuse their behaviour. But it reminds us that we don’t have to let their words define us.

So, to the kids, teens, and adults who have ever been bullied: You are not alone. You are more than what they say about you. You are worthy of kindness, love, and respect—always. And if it ever feels like too much, please, talk to someone. There are resources. There are people who care. There are voices that will drown out the cruelty and remind you of your worth.

On The International Day of Pink, I will wear pink—not just as a colour, but as a promise. A promise to stand against hate. A promise to choose love. A promise to make the world better, one act of kindness at a time. And I hope you will too. Because bullying will not define us. But how we show up for each other—that will.

Peace, love & it’s cool to be kind xoxo

www.stopabully.ca
www.redcross.ca
www.kidshelpphone.ca
1(800)668-6868

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