Community members are gathering to take a stance against bullying in the 2Bright2Bully run/ walk in Grand Portage on Saturday, October 4. Marlene Deschampe of Grand Portage donated a special anti-bullying bead medallion to Grand Portage Human Services in honor of the event.
In recognition of bullying prevention month in October, Grand Portage Human Services is planning its first-ever 5k walk/ run on Oct. 4, starting at 10 a.m. at the Grand Portage Community Building.
Organizer Brittany Deschampe, Youth Prevention Program Coordinator at Grand Portage Human Services said everyone is encouraged to participate. Orange is the national Unite Against Bullying color, so don some orange and come walk, run or roll in the 5k or a one-mile walk to say no to bullying.
Whether online or in person, bullying hurts. However, Deschampe said, people may not even realize their behavior is bullying. “All of us at some point in our lives have said things about another human being and we didn’t realize that we were being a bully,” she said. “These things stay with a person forever. No matter if the comment is small, it still makes a difference.”
She said there are five different types of bullies, with “physical” bullying the most common. A physical bully is a person who uses physical actions to gain power or control over others. According to Deschampe, a “verbal” bully is one who uses words to undermine their targets.
A third type of bully is a “relational aggressor” who uses manipulation to hurt peers or to sabotage a peer’s social standing. “Some people call these bullies “mean girls.” Deschampe said. “Usually, teen girl cliques use this kind of bullying to gain higher social standing.”
The fourth type is “cyber bullying” which Deschampe says unfortunately is becoming more widespread. “Social networks are everywhere you look,” she says. “Adults, teens, and some younger kids are using sites such as Facebook and Twitter. These sites are very popular for cyber bullying.”
Deschampe said statistics show that 54 percent of young people using Facebook reported that they have experienced cyber bullying on the social network.
The fifth type of bullying is “prejudicial bullying.” Those bullies target people of different races, religions, or sexual orientation. They single out their targets because they are different from the bully, and according to the bully, they are lesser beings.
Deschampe said, “Since we started the ‘2 Bright 2 Bully’ project, I have made it my goal to make kids and adults realize how words and behaviors can really hurt a person. Bullying can happen in schools, the bus, even in the workplace.”
“I want everyone to be aware that bullying is happening right in Grand Portage and Cook County and we need people to stand up and make a difference.”
For more information on the “2 Bright 2 Bully” 5K Walk, Run or Roll event at Grand Portage, or to become an event volunteer, contact Deschampe at (218) 475-2170.
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