Today, we live in a society where it is okay to sit in silence over things that matter because pain has a way of keeping us quiet. Pain makes us think that we’re alone and that no one else can possibly understand how we feel.
It’s also popular in these times for the number of likes, followers, or views to influence the way we perceive ourselves. I know it’s not easy, but I think we have the power to be the ones who determine who we are. Not the person who talked down on you, called you names, or shot down your creative idea. These people aren’t ones whose opinions should affect you.
Believe me, I know it does anyway, and I know it will continue to. We’re human beings so we can’t control what emotions we feel, but we can control how we choose to respond to them. By starting this group, I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. I had no idea what to expect, but I did have a strong, supportive group standing beside me, and that was enough. I realized how many people supported me after I spoke out, which was phenomenal. I began to hear other people’s stories about when they were bullied, people they knew who have been bullied, and even former bullies reaching out. I was in awe over the whole situation.
However, as the group has gone on, we’ve lost much of the initial support that we had at the beginning. I’ve been noticing that it really only takes one person to get the ball rolling though. For example, at the district school board meeting on Thursday, October 15, 2015, Jenna Highstreet spoke her stance on the bullying policy and why it is important for things to be changed. She did an amazing job, but it also made me want to speak up at the next one.
It truly does take one person to begin making a difference. I believe that each individual has a unique story to tell with something to offer. If we all started to speak up about the things that really matter, I like to think that we will all inspire each other to do the same. It’s clear that our community isn’t perfect, but it’s also clear that we have a strong sense of unity.
Being part of the Chino Hills Connections Facebook page has led me to connect with some really wonderful people with unique perspectives on situations. It is my hope that more of us, younger and older, decide not to be comfortable with the problems we see and take action as a whole by actively making a difference in the Chino Hills community. We all have voices, even if we haven’t been using them as often as we may have liked, I say that we should all start now. There truly is strength in numbers and we all deserve a chance to be heard. Speaking up and taking action is never easy, but it is always worth it.
One thought on “Kennedy’s Voice: Making a Difference in the Chino Hills Community”
I enjoyed the video, and I think that schools should play a huge role in bully prevention by offering school counselors at even grade school so children have a safe outlet place to talk about what’s going on at recess or at home. I believe if a child opens up about a situation then the parents need to be notified immediately and there should be a team effort to solve the problem with both parents of both children. the bully and the bullied need to be addressed. We never know what a child is going through and why they decide to act out. If there were more safe zones on every campus, that’s where the awareness would begin. Once you are aware,you can take specific action