Bullying has made news again this week as millions of us saw a video of underdog Australian schoolboy, Casey Heynes, turning the tables on a bully. The network news first warned us that the video was disturbing and it certainly was. Some watched gleefully to see justice served, while others viewed in abject horror as the boy body-slammed his bully to the concrete. The bully clearly ‘buttered his own bread,’ but at the same time we know that the boy, driven beyond the breaking point by years of bullying came right to the brink of tragedy by his own severe response.
Along with Barry Rubinstien, Vice Chair of the No Room for Racism Committee, I will be appearing on the radio talk show, “Straight Talk” on WRHI FM 94.3 and AM 1340 this Friday at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the work of the committee and the upcoming Youth Forum. Please tune in and let us know what you think. The office will be close from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. on Friday to allow time for this event.
There have been many recent examples of the fact that bullying has become a major social problem globally, including teenage suicides in the U.S. For several months now the City of Rock Hill’s, No Room for Racism Committee has been planning a program to help shed light on this “elephant in the room,” as the Committee’s Annual Youth Forum will focus on “Obesity, Self-esteem, and Bullying” this Thursday, March 31st at 5:30 p.m.
There will be lots of food, fun and information. Admission is free and families with school age children are encouraged to attend. Information about these important subjects will be available for the kids and their families.
Please arrive by 5:30 at the rotunda of the Rock Hill City Hall and plan to have lots of fun.
Sponsors of the event include the Human Relations Committee; The Martin Luther King Committee; Olde Town Bistro; Jersey Mikes; Showmars; Melanie Rowe Catering; Thi’s Place on Main; and EarthFare.