I suffered either bullying, or intimidation, and back then, the consequences were not as easily understood as they are today

Photo: Global News 

Okanagan RCMP Superintendent Jim
McNamara and Inspector Gord Stewart

Today is Pink Shirt Day - a day to recognize bullying, in all of its' forms and everywhere it occurs - in public, in the workplace and at home.  My nephew, Steve Forseth, posted the following comments on Pink Shirt Day, which I have asked to be able to share here.

Here is what he had to say:

The history of this day goes back to Nova Scotia in 2007 when local Grade 9 student Charles Mcneil was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school. Subsequently, David Shepherd and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia then bought and distributed 50 pink shirts to support Charles Mcneil.

Since then, it has grown all across the world. It is also referred to as "Anti-Bullying Day". in 2012, the United Nations declared May 4th as "Anti-Bullying Day"

2018's Pink Shirt Day theme is "Nice Needs No Filter" and a focus on "Cyber-Bullying".  More details can be viewed at http://www.pinkshirtday.ca

And if I might - a little personal testimony here:

From 1993 - 1997 was the period of high school for myself.  It was where I suffered either bullying, or intimidation, and back then, the consequences were not as easily understood as they are today.

A couple of years ago an individual, whom I won't name here, reached out to me.  He asked for forgiveness for his actions when we were both in high school - Columneetza Senior Secondary from 1995-97. After so many years, I felt it was important to forgive him as I knew in my heart, he had regret for his actions.

I did so primarily because most, in their teenager years, don't appreciate the consequences of their actions; generally many years later.

This situation reminded me of a story I heard at an economic development conference, I attended in Salmon Arm in April 2015.  The story centred around how poorly Nelson Mandela was treated in South African prisons.  Later of course, Mandela became the President of South Africa.  This same man asked the same guards, who treated him poorly in prison, to attend his presidential inauguration.  It was noted at the end of the story, "That is forgiveness"

Now ... here are some tips, I've learned over time, through experiencing bullying and / or intimidation in school, in the workplace and elsewhere:

1) Take time for yourself ... allow a period to cool down ... take a holiday to achieve balance

2) Build support networks in your workplace - also important for those serving in local, provincial or federal governments -- your friends in the workplace will be a form of coping measures to protect your health

3) If you have a Code of Conduct in your workplace (like the Cariboo Regional District) and suffer humiliation, bullying or intimidation -- make use of it and try to get the behaviour corrected... it may take time but it does work.

I hope for the day that bullying, in all its' forms, will be something left in the past -- and where everyone is accorded respect, feels safe in their workplaces / homes, and where difference of opinions are welcomed.

~SF