Why take a stand?

By: Kenny Hansen

Rosa Parks. She took a stand… by sitting.

• Nearly 50 years ago, Rosa Parks, an African-American, made a simple decision that inspired a revolution.  While riding in the front of a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, a white man demanded she give up her seat.

• Rosa Parks said no. "I didn't want to. I didn't think I should have to. I didn't feel that it was the right thing for us to be enduring."

• My thought about this is that there are many things that motivate people to take a stand, whether it is courageous inspiration or righteous anger.

The secrets of the surveys…revealed.

• I conducted a survey of this question (Would take a stand or risk for someone or something). The results indicated that a majority believe it is better to take a stand for someone or something, rather than not. Some people didn’t really care, but most people are compelled to do the right thing; they enjoy helping others.

When you don’t speak up…you’re saying “idc” (I don’t care)

• "First they came…" is a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

• When the Nazis came for the communists,• I remained silent;• I was not a communist.• When they locked up the social democrats,• I remained silent;• I was not a social democrat.• When they came for the trade unionists,• I did not speak out;• I was not a trade unionist.• When they came for the Jews,• I remained silent;• I was not a Jew.• When they came for me,• there was no one left to speak out

Conclusion

• If you don’t take a stand for something or someone, then why should someone take a stand on your behalf?

• Polls indicated that a majority believe it is better to take a stand for someone or something, rather than not. However, I find it easier to say than to do: it is so easy to be passive, regardless of how inspired you may be. People don’t become great by living easy lives without risks.

What people are doing to stop bullying

By: Arden Powell

Cyberbullying

• Today many people are becoming more aware of different types of bullying. One such case is cyberbullying. Many children are being bullied in this manner by cell phones, the internet, etc.

• One person who felt the effects of cyberbullying was Mary Ellen who was a junior at the time. She was harassed by her best friend for stealing her best friend’s boyfriend. Many cases happen like this where friends are hurt and grow jealous. Now though, agencies are cracking down on bullying and stopping it.

A look from a parent’s perspective

• Many parents were exposed to bullying at a young age. This means their children should have no problem with bullying right? Wrong! People used to think bullying was a part of growing up. Now however, bullying has become worse with higher suicide rates.

• Bullies tend to have poor social skills and problems at home/in life. Bullies also might have been bullied themselves, and therefore take their frustration out on others.

How to stop bullies• New programs are being brought in to stop bullies such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Plan.• If you are bullied• Talk about it. Tell an adult, a close friend or a sibling.• Stay in a group. You may not be as easy a target.• Stand up for yourself. Don't fight or bully back. If it feels safe, calmly tell the bully to stop, then

walk away.• Join a club. You'll make friends.• If you see someone being bullied• Report it to an adult.• Give your support. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be a friend.• Stand up to the bully. If you feel safe, tell the kid that bullying is wrong and to stop.• Get friends to support you. When bullies see that other kids don't think their actions are cool, they

are more likely to stop.

Conclusion

• People are know becoming aware of the fact that kids are being bullied severely, and are doing something about it.