Verbal Bullying Speech Paper
Verbal Bullying
“Surrounded by people who used to say that rhyme about sticks and stones. As if broken bones hurt more than the names we got called and got called them all. So we grew up believing nobody would fall in love with us. That we’d be lonely forever. That we’d never meet someone to make us feel like the sun was something they built for us in their tool shed. So broken heart strings bled the blues as we tried to empty ourselves so we would feel nothing. Don’t tell me that hurts less than a broken bone.” This quote from Shane Koyczan’s poem “To This Day” highlights the fact that words we say could hurt more than we think they do. It highlights the fact that words have the same painful effect as a broken bone. I have been verbally bullied in the past so I know what it feels like. I have gotten many questions about my experience and I don’t mind any at all. However, many of the people I have talked to expect me to talk about physical contact such as punching or kicking. We see the same posters in the hall about how bullying should be stopped and how we should take action, but we often don’t take action. Either because we don’t care, we’re too afraid, or because we don’t see it. Verbal abuse can lead to depression, physical retaliation, or suicide. Today I want you to rethink what you believe is bullying and think of more than just physical contact. Verbal abuse can cause the victim to feel worthless, hopeless, and helpless, pushing them farther away from others around them. These are just a few of the many signs of depression. Other signs include sudden changes in eating habits, long lasting sadness, and loss of interest. Depression is more common in bullies or bully victims than in teens or children who have not been victimized. We should all keep an eye out for signs of depression in children and teenagers. Anyone who is dealing with or is showing signs of depression should talk to a counselor or a trustworthy adult to help them recover. Depression
“Surrounded by people who used to say that rhyme about sticks and stones. As if broken bones hurt more than the names we got called and got called them all. So we grew up believing nobody would fall in love with us. That we’d be lonely forever. That we’d never meet someone to make us feel like the sun was something they built for us in their tool shed. So broken heart strings bled the blues as we tried to empty ourselves so we would feel nothing. Don’t tell me that hurts less than a broken bone.” This quote from Shane Koyczan’s poem “To This Day” highlights the fact that words we say could hurt more than we think they do. It highlights the fact that words have the same painful effect as a broken bone. I have been verbally bullied in the past so I know what it feels like. I have gotten many questions about my experience and I don’t mind any at all. However, many of the people I have talked to expect me to talk about physical contact such as punching or kicking. We see the same posters in the hall about how bullying should be stopped and how we should take action, but we often don’t take action. Either because we don’t care, we’re too afraid, or because we don’t see it. Verbal abuse can lead to depression, physical retaliation, or suicide. Today I want you to rethink what you believe is bullying and think of more than just physical contact. Verbal abuse can cause the victim to feel worthless, hopeless, and helpless, pushing them farther away from others around them. These are just a few of the many signs of depression. Other signs include sudden changes in eating habits, long lasting sadness, and loss of interest. Depression is more common in bullies or bully victims than in teens or children who have not been victimized. We should all keep an eye out for signs of depression in children and teenagers. Anyone who is dealing with or is showing signs of depression should talk to a counselor or a trustworthy adult to help them recover. Depression