Bad School Days: My Version

Have you ever bullied someone or been bullied? I guess, once in our lives we have been bullied for no particular reason at all. No matter who you are, whether you're smart or not, good-looking or not, we have been bullied at some point in our lives.

In my words, bullying is a form of harassment, verbal and physical.

Sometimes leading to self-doubt, depression, and suicide as the bullying continues. Bullies use hurtful words and actions on purpose to discourage others. Anyone can get bullied, even adults, and anyone can be a bully. In some cases, the bullies are stressed or angry and don't know how to express it. Making someone else suffer with them. In my point of view, insults are considered bullying. Even the little things hurt a lot. It's hard to understand what the bully is going through, we all just assume that they are disrespectful. When most of the time, they were hurting too.

I have been bullied not once, but many times over. Let me share some with you.

True Story

I was a transferee student in third grade. From the province of Davao, we transferred to Manila because of our livelihood. For a transferee student, I was a bit loud, lively, and friendly maybe because I am so excited about being able to study in Manila. I have made a few friends, they are very nice to me. But there was one girl who always teases me and sometimes would pull my hair. I did not pay attention to her, I just let it slide thinking that she would grow tired of it. But it went on over and over again.

I asked her why she's so mean to me. She said that because I am "Bisaya" and that I am ugly. That I should go back to where I came from. I cried after hearing that, in my young mind, "Am I that ugly that she would just hurt me just like that?"

That went on for a while. No one would stand up for me not even my classmates. I never told that to my family and my teachers thinking that it would just get worst. How did I overcome that? I made sure that I excel in everything. Not to brag, but I am quite good in school. I want her to realize that not because I am "Bisaya", I have no right to be where I was at that time. And that being ugly is not a crime. And all she had is a pretty face but she has no brain.

The bullying stops a year after, she was no longer my classmate because I belong to a higher section.

My next story is not about bullying but a bad experience involving my teacher. It all happened when I was in my second year in high school. It was our foundation day and I was part of one of the performers for the said program. It was a fun day for us, my sisters and Aunts went to see me perform. Performers were not allowed to watch the other performers and we were told to remain backstage and wait for our turn. Then for a moment, I forgot that and went out to watch who performs. I got so excited because I can hear the cheering of the crowd, and went on to watch with other performers.

Then suddenly, our teacher who was in charge of the program scolded us and told us to go back. I knew that I was wrong so I said sorry. Then I turn around but she suddenly calls my name in a loud voice asking, "What was that, Melinda?" So I told her that I was sorry. But she was accusing me of saying bad things to her. I had no idea what she was talking about. I insisted that I never said anything that could hurt her, she got mad at me. I told her that maybe she must have heard that to other students because there were other students with me as well.

After that incident, she never talks to me. She was our teacher in Physical Education, and never called me for recitation as if I was never there. I talked to her about it but she said nothing to me. My grades went from 93 to 85. I feel sad because I have good scores in quizzes and exams but she gets even with me by giving me low grades. I knew for myself that I never said something that could hurt her. That went on until the school year ends.

Because of that, I asked Lola if I could transfer to a different school in the next school year, and she said yes because, at that time, we were struggling financially. So from private school, I transferred to public school hoping to have a fresh start.

These two experiences leave a big impact on me until now. I often question myself, "Did I do the right thing?" I mean just let it all slide and didn't do something about it. It's all in that past now, and there's nothing I can do about it.

Bullying should stop

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Ways to stop bullying include telling someone, not reacting or being very sensitive about it, or telling yourself that whatever they say is not true. If they shove you around and use violence on you, tell an adult because that is not okay. A way to prevent bullying is to stand up for yourself. If you see someone being bullied, don't be a bystander. Be an upstander, stand up to the bully and if they bully you, then stand up for yourself because no bully likes hard targets. They just like easy pickings. Actions you can take to stop bullying are to stand up for anyone getting bullied. Tell a grown-up because if you don't it will just get worse. Well, you also could ask the bully why they are doing this and maybe help them not bully people anymore.

I just want to acknowledge @lucas for inspiring me to write my version of his article that was titled "Bad school days." After reading his article, I remember all my bad experiences in school and decided to write about them. This article has been drafted for 2 days and just finish today. I HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT!