Personal Narrative-Bullying Signs

We were walking back to the gym after the football game. The hill was steep and muddy from the rain, and as cheerleaders, it was our responsibility to take the game signs back to the gym. Already tired and eager to go home, I offered to be part of the group that rolled up the signs so that we could all leave promptly. Five other girls and I entered the gym and began the tedious process. As I was helping roll one of the sides, someone directed at me, ”Retard.” My whole body froze in that moment. Being shy and averse to conflict, I was an easy target. The other four girls then laughed at me as if it was funny to use that terms in regards to your teammate. The girl that made the comment had always tried to shake my confidence, even when we cheered together in middle school. After standing there and consulting my anger, I went back to rolling the signs as if nothing had ever happened. I …show more content…
There are many solutions that could have been implemented: consulting in a trusted adult or peer, confronting the individual, or talking to the team as a whole about bullying. Many individuals go through their lives being bullied, and they never apply these methods. According to makebeatsnotbeatdowns.org, only 160,000 estimated bullying incidents are reported each year. We are bombarded by daily news reports of young children and teens committing suicide related to bullying, committing self-harm, and many adults turn to drug and alcohol abuse to cope with bullying. The simple steps of consulting in a trusted adult or peer, confronting the individual, or talking to the team as a whole about bullying could prevent a tragic out come. Along with those three solutions, building self-confidence, avoiding self-blame, and focusing on the positive aspects of yourself will prevent depression, stress, and self-harm. I have chosen to build self-confidence, avoid self-blame, and focus on the positive aspects of