I started to watch the Netflix original series of #13ReasonsWhy to see what the entire fuss was about on social media. To be honest, I assumed that it would be a regular teen-flick on regular activities that you see in movies or on tv. Those who know me, would know that for the past 2 years now, I have been giving workshops and lectures on bullying. To my surprise watching 13 Reasons Why was emotionally and psychologically draining and hard for me. Here are my reasons why. The series starts depicting a series of events that the main character Hannah Baker who is a victim of bullying and assault experiences as a high school student. Watching 13 Reasons Why brought me back to places that I have experienced as a younger teen, and never really talked about which made me wonder how many other people are struggling in silence like Hannah. I started to give workshops on bullying; cyber bullying to be specific two years ago. It was two years ago, when I first experienced what it was like to be cyber bullied by someone I never knew who it was. But to be honest, I have always experienced those types of pressures and bullying when I was younger, I just didn't know what it was. When the cyber bullying started, I was around the age of 18. You might be thinking that for someone my age, words are just words right? Wrong. There were countless times when I found myself humiliated or ridiculed at school of course not as severely as some other kids I know who have experienced that as well. Regardless, as time went on the bullying got worse. I never showed people what were the messages I have received because I was embarrassed; I was embarrassed that my family would find out or that other people would see it and believe it too. In the series of 13 Reasons Why, Hannah has experienced the same thing. The small things that for some people might be meaningless or perhaps not a big deal, but meant the world to her. Often at times we don't realize how far a joke can go, and how it could drive someone to the point that they don't want to live or feel anything anymore. Of course the signs are always there, but sometimes its hard to tell. Despite the controversial comments that the series brought with it, it reached it's goal: it got people to talk openly about bullying, peer pressure, rape and what its like to be a teenager who experiences so much at once. I realized that if I was ever going to do my part, if I was ever going to not be silent and let other people who are victims of bullying struggle in silence I have to start here. So, for the first time, I want to share a few of the comments that I once received from anonymous people that almost drove me to the edge of losing myself. As I always mention in my presentations, you do not have to be the awkward kid, the quiet kid, the one without friends, or the unpopular one to be bullied. Bullying is never okay, and being a bystander is as equally bad as the bully itself. With this, I hope that I am able to shed some light on this controversial topic of bullying. To parents and teachers, don't miss the signs your children are trying to give you. There might be times that they rarely will show you that they are struggling in silence. Please let them know that they can open up to you, and come to you in confidence and that they will not be judged. And to all the internet users, cyber bullying started with us and will end with us. Turning off a computer screen or logging off won't make the bullying stop because the online community is so wide and open 24/7, even when the victim is 'offline'. For more information on bullying or how to get help, please do not hesitate to reach out to any local organization or person you trust like a school counselor or parent.
5 Comments
Mariana
5/2/2017 06:52:54 pm
I loved this article and i admire your courage and the wonderful person you are becoming! We are becoming closer as classmates and you will do wonderful things in the future, never give up!
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Josette
5/3/2017 07:58:32 am
I admire you so much. I hope you are aware of how much you can help others and especially our youth. Keep up the good job, you have great things coming your way. Bless
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Being_sarcastic
5/3/2017 02:52:56 pm
2edgy4me
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Paula Nahr
5/13/2017 10:18:48 am
Wonderful. Can we publish it on the Facebook of Switch Foundation?
Reply
Keyla
5/23/2017 01:06:04 pm
Of course!
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Hi, thanks for stopping by.
My name is Keyla and I am a second year university student studying social work. I blog about social media, lifestyle, health, beauty, love, relationships, career and student life-hacks. Leave a comment and give my articles a ❤️ or 👍🏻 and don't forget to share to show your support. 😘, Keyla Publication Dates
March 2018
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