25 years ago this month I graduated from middle school. This was my grade 8 class photo. I was an immigrant to Canada just three years prior to this photo. Didn't speak English very well. Knew nothing about the Canadian culture. Living in a very small and a very white town called Georgetown, Ontario, I was always a target. Target for bullying, racial slurs and marginalization. I tried hard to fit in. I fought back hard when I was picked on. I struggled to survive in one piece everyday. Going to school felt almost like going to battlefield. I made myself learn my English so well and so quickly so I could make comebacks at all the racist insults. I learned to throw a nasty punch to defend myself. I watched so much television and movies just so that I can assimilate to the new culture. I became stronger both physically and mentally through those years. The bruises on my face and my body have healed. But the traumas stay in the heart and it can haunt me still. There are days that I still feel inadequate, anxious and unworthy just like back then. And there's nothing I can just because I was different and didn't fit in to the "norm". I'm still working hard everyday to free myself from these demons. Don't think bullying just affects someone when they are in school. The effects and traumatization can last many years afterwards. If you are now being bullied at school don't be afraid to stand up for yourself or seek help from teachers and family because NOBODY deserves being bullied. Be yourself and don't force yourself to change to fit in just to avoid bullying. You are beautiful being you. You will survive this. I did too. If you have been bullied in the past and still feel the lingering effects, talk to a professional and find ways to free yourself from the experience so you can live your life with dignity and pride. We are all worthy of love and respect no matter who or what we are.
#stopbullying
#stopracism
#stopfatshaming
#georgetownontario
#centennialmiddleschool
#1992
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