Sticks and Stones

Written in response to https://lindaghill.com/2023/05/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-20-2023/

The prompt word ”stick,” and the verse I used to say in my head when I was eight year’s old is heard. ”Sticks and stones, may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. The trouble is, words do hurt, especially when said by bullies, who just want you to be unhappy. I still remember the two boys, following me home from school, calling me names, and how alone I felt when they did.

I struggled making friends as a child, and they didn’t make it any better. The names they called me were horrible. I just wanted them to leave me alone. Even when I left school, they would try and find me. Although it all stopped, when a friend, no bigger than five foot, stood up to one of them. She said, she would rather be my friend than someone like him. She even went to management, to tell them I was being bullied at work.

It is then I learnt, it wasn’t my fault.

Being bullied, whether they call you names, or hit you, is just the same. The worry now, is social media has a platform for these bullies. They can say anything they like without having anyone pull them up on it. At least when I was younger, I could go home, forget, at least for a few hours.

Now, children and adults have nowhere to go to. If you are a parent, it isn’t wrong to make sure they are okay. It is a public place to be, and at least you can make sure they are safe. I think it is about time anything hateful, whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, or Tic Toc, should have punishments to go with it. If nothing else, to not be allowed on social media.