As a parent of a 2-year-old daughter there are many things I fear, including her first day of school. Sure, most parents have bittersweet emotions about seeing their children mature and become more independent, but after viewing an advanced screening of the buzz-worthy documentary,
Bully, my fears and anxiety have increased tenfold.
Directed by
Lee Hirsch, the film follows five families and their children who have undergone unspeakable bullying in schools, including heartbreaking stories of an 11-year-old boy and 17-year-old teen who took their own lives to escape the unrelenting pain of bullying caused by their fellow classmates.
Bully will be released in select theaters March 30th.
In addition to giving viewers an up-close-and-personal look into the lives of those bullied, it also featured a young African-American girl's story of being held in a juvenile detention facility and later a mental institution as a result of retaliating against her school bus bullies by threatening them with a gun.
The emotional and heartfelt accounts documented in this film will hopefully open the eyes to students, parents, and school system facilitators worldwide. Bullying has always been around, but in recent years it seems to be becoming more than ordinary schoolyard squabbles. In fact, studies have shown that more than 13 million students live in fear of being bullied.
The film has partnered with outstanding organizations such as the
National Center for Learning Disabilities to help get the word out about the film in an effort to stop bullying. No parent should ever have to bury their child due to a student's harsh words or physical abuse. Our children really are our future so it's our responsibility to stand up against bullying.
Were you ever bullied in school? Do you plan on seeing this movie when it's released in select theaters March 30th?
