Sticks and Stones ... But Names CAN Really Hurt Too

Today kicks off national "No Name Calling Week." This national initiative started in 2004 when a coalition of people including Simon and Schuster publishers, GLSEN, and other partner organizations came together around an idea based on the book, "The Misfits." The idea behind "No Name Calling Week" is a simple one: "the project seeks to focus national attention on the problem of name-calling in schools, and to provide students and educators with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities" (www.nonamecallingweek.org).

I have the privilege of serving on the Anti-Bullying Committee of our local school district and I'm learning more and more about bullying. I've always been involved in and advocated for those on the fringes of society but I feel really passionate about this anti-bullying effort.

One of my favorite shows on television is the ABC show, "What Would You Do." In the show, people are put in scenarios to see how they will respond to injustices, mistreatments, violent situations, etc. I'm always amazed at how many people don't respond but I'm also encouraged by those who do.

In discussing our local anti-bullying efforts, I was reminded of how important the role of the bystander is. Throughout our lives, you and I have all probably been bystanders to some kind of bullying or name-calling incident. I wonder how many of us have stood up and/or spoke up to put an end to it.

It's easy for us adults to look down on kids who don't step in when they see a classmate being bullied but, I fear, many of us would do the same thing — nothing.

How many times have we seen stories on the news about beatings that have occurred in crowds while people just stood by and did nothing?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

In the case of name-calling, doing nothing or saying nothing can be just as destructive as being a part of the actual name-calling.

Do you remember when you were in school and people called you names? Didn't you ever wish that someone would speak up on your behalf and say something to counter the name-callers? Didn't you wish you yourself had the courage to stand up and say something?

This week, I challenged our church members to really be aware of the words they use in talking about other people. I know I'm most guilty of name-calling when I'm behind the wheel of my car. The problem is, even though those who I am calling names can't hear me, my children who are in the car with me can. And, by name-calling, I'm telling them its okay to do that. And I certainly DON'T want them to think that's okay.

So, I'm challenging myself this week to be more aware of the words I use when describing people. It's one thing to disagree with people about ideas or opinions; it's something entirely different to use those disagreements as an excuse for name-calling.

It's about time all of us stood up and said "no more name calling" from ourselves, our kids, our politicians, our preachers, etc. ALL of us can make a difference.

So, will you be remembered for your silence or your speaking up?