The Bully Affect

Ema's Speech to the schools

~Ema's P.O.V.~

        After Jason gestured to us, I stepped forward. We all agreed that since this was the school that Chris, Kyle, and I went to, and I had probably the worst experience because of Evan, I should go first here. I slowly made my way up to the stand, shaky. I was so nervous and scared that I was playing with the hem of my dress. But then I remind myself that this was my only chance to make the difference needed here, and that they can't hurt me. I reached the mic, and lowered it to my short body. "Hello everyone. Most of you know my name, or least know me as the nerd girl, but not my story. To you, you see a worthless, pathetic, weak nerd. But my friends and family see a smart, caring, and loving girl. But because of all the bullying, all I see when I look in the mirror is a worthless, pathetic, weak, no good nobody. And its because of each and everyone of you. You think your words don't hurt, well they do. You think I can't hear you when you talk about me in the halls and in class, I can. You think that beating on me isn't so bad, it is. Everything you do to me is bullying. Bullying has its cause, but it also has its effects. You see scars from cut wounds on a person, you call them an attention whore or an Emo. But its not because the person wants attention or because they are "Emo", its because of people like you who treat them like animals, pesents, or just nothing. Maybe its because at home they get beat on already and they come to school to get away, but you beat on them too, giving them no safe haven. Bullying can also lead to suicide. Again, you think its because the person wanted attention. But why would someone kill themselves for attention, if they wouldn't be alive to enjoy it? After my experience here, if it wasn't for my friends, boyfriend, and family, I probably would have killed myself to end it. I'm not going to point my finger at the person who caused me the worst experiences, so lets call this person bob, even though most of you probably will know who I'm talking about. One of my first days here, bob was picking on me because I was reading before anyone got into the class. But because I wouldn't talk, Bob pulled me out of my chair by my hair. He wouldn't put me down till I talked, so I told him to go to hell. He threw me on the ground and started to kick me and stuff. He stopped before anyone could come in though." I paused, looking at Evan. He was smirking, but you could tell that it was forced, because fear showed in his eyes, and he was a bit pale. "Just a week or so ago, the same person pulled me out the back door near my locker. He pushed me to the ground. He then started to beat on me till everything got fuzzy and he was sure I couldn't fight back, then he pulled down my underwear. I could here him unzip his pants. But when I heard a door open, I blacked out. I didn't know how far he got. If it wasn't for Kyle," I made a gesture to him. Thats when a few tears started to slip. "Bob would have gone all the way. Kyle saved me that day. Now, can I have a teacher volunteer?" I asked looking around. My principle came over. I bent down and told her to hand out some flash cards I made. I told her to give the special one to Evan. After she handed them out to a few people, I started to talk again. "Now will everyone who got a card, stand up. If you have the special card, please read that last." Everyone who had a card stood up. I pointed to the one person. "She probably wasn't even sexually assaulted, she wanted it." The person then sat down. I pointed to another person. "She probably got paid to have sex with him." That person then sat down,and I pointed to the next. "I bet she's pregnant with his baby."  I pointed to the next person. "She probably paid him to have sex with her." "She's a prostitute." "She probably hired the boys who had beaten up Bob with her sex money to beat him up and act like her friends and boyfriend because she wasn't satisfied with the sex her and bob had." Evan read. He sat down, and I continued. "Those were just the rumors spread by that one thing that I did not choose to happen. We are all people made equal. So why don't you treat others like they are human?" I looked around to see people's reactions so far before continuing. "Looks shouldn't matter to how you treat people. And until you get to know who they are on the inside, don't go judging. You treat people the way you want to be treated. You don't tell people things you wouldn't want to be told. You don't spread rumors you wouldn't want spread about you. You may think you never bully or have never bullied before, but you have. Just by calling someone a mean name or talking about them in a bad way is bullying. Bullying comes in many forms. Bullying is one of the leading causes of suicide in young teens. And its becoming a huge problem kids are facing everyday. There is many bad outcomes of bullying. And it needs to stop!" I paused to take a deep breathe. "But each and everyone of you can help put an end to it, one by one. I know you see no point in this assembly. I know you are thinking its stupid. I know you think I'm wasting my time. But after the rest of my friends give their opinion, I hope it changes your minds. Thank you for listening." I gave a brief smile before turning around and walking back. I stood beside Jonathan. He gave me a hug from the side and kissed the top of my head. Jason gestured for the next speech.