Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

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
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interfor Moves Headquarters Out of BC as Forestry Crisis Continues

NDP policies are driving businesses out of B.C., and the forestry industry just suffered yet another calamity. Interfor, a BC company founded more than 60 years ago and now one of the world's largest lumber producers, is moving its headquarters from Burnaby, BC to Atlanta, Georgia. As BC’s forestry sector faces mill closures and mounting uncertainty, this move is another warning sign that the crisis is deepening and conditions are fatal. “This is the NDP’s record: endless job losses with no hope in sight for the forestry sector,” said Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry. “Interfor still has three mills in BC which are now in serious jeopardy, and it is likely we will see even more companies pull out of BC. The NDP government is suffocating the forestry industry with high taxes, excessive regulations, and permitting delays, while DRIPA has made it impossible to plan for the future.” “Decisions like this are sadly not surprising given the NDP’s indifference if not hostility tow...
Post a Comment
Read more

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Hypocritically Admits Natural Gas Power Was Needed All Along ~~ BC Conservatives

The NDP just got caught buying back the exact kind of power plant it spent years telling British Columbians they didn't need. The NDP government announced today that BC Hydro is purchasing the Island Generation natural gas facility in Campbell River, an admission that its electrification-only energy policy was never realistic. The 275-megawatt plant was originally privately owned yet kept to a minimal backup role under the NDP, operating just 15 days a year on average. Now, with demand outpacing what the NDP's plan can support, the government is spending taxpayer funds on the very gas capacity it once treated as obsolete. "You cannot electrify everything and pretend natural gas doesn't matter," said Larry Neufeld, Shadow Minister for Energy.  "Buying back a gas plant they once wrote off is proof their own plan couldn't keep the lights on. It's a step towards more energy reality, but the government needs to go further and scrap the impending province-w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more