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Monday, June 8, 2009 • 12:00 PM • 
Help Stop Childhood Bullying RT @TheEllenShow
Sirdeaner Walker's 11-year-old son Carl recently took his own life. She believes that it was a result of Carl being constantly bullied at school. Watch her story and let's all do our part to prevent tragedies like this in the future.
Memorial contributions for Carl Walker-Hoover may be sent to:
Carl J. Walker Trust Fund
c/o Hampden Bank
19 Harrison Avenue
Springfield, MA 01103
Next Story: What Oscar-Winning Actor is with Ellen?
This is a problem that the schools are trying to push under the rug as far as I am concerned. My daughter was bullied and after the 3rd time of going to the school, I told them that the next time I would have a police officer with me, and I did. The schools do not want police reports on their records.This has to stop!
We, as parents, BY LAW have to have our kids in school. BY LAW, they should be protecting our children!
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT BULLYING IS AN URGENT AND SERIOUS PROBLEM, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST WRITE ABOUT IT AND OFFER SYMPATHY TO THE VICTIMS AND THE VICTIMS FAMILIES WE NEED TO STAND UP AND ADDRESS IT THROUGH THE MEDIA AND OUR LEGISLATURES. ANYONE THAT HAS THE DARK TENDECIES TO EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY OPPRESS ANOTHER HUMAN BEING HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, PARENTS MUST STOP DISMISSING THIS AS CHILDS PLAY BECAUSE SERIAL BULLIES GROW UP TO BE ADULT BULLIES AND THEY CONTINUE TO WREAK HAVOC ON THOSE AROUND THEM AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. I AM AN ADULT AND HAVING TO DEAL WITH ONE BULLY IS BAD ENOUGH BUT, WHEN YOU ARE FACED WITH A GROUP YOUR ABILITY TO COPE IS CRIPPLED AND YOU FEEL THERE IS NO WAY OUT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL OR WORK. IF YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED PLEASE DONT THINK THAT YOUR EMPOWERMENT SPEECH HAS HELPED YOUR CHILD IF THEY ARE STILL IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THEY MIGHT SAY THAT THEY ARE OK JUST TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN IN FACT INSIDE THEY ARE DYING. I PLEAD WITH EVERYONE HERE TO GO TO THE CHANGE.ORG SITE AND SIGN THE PETITION UNDER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TAB TO ENACT A BILL TO MAKE BULLYING ILLEGAL. THERE IS A DIRECT TAB TO CONTACT THE LEGISLATURES OF YOUR CHOICE AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT. HOPEFULLY WE CAN PAVE THE WAY TO A CIVIL ENVIRONMENT FOR US ALL.
GOOD MANNERS i.e. KINDNESS, RESPECT, POLITE
CARING, SHARING, ETC. SHOULD BE TAUGHT WHEN THE CHILD IS LEARNING TO TALK.
Check out our new book/DVD Good Manners series ADVENTURES WITH TRAVIS AND PRESLEY
reminding children that it's COOL TO BE KIND!! LET'S STOP OUR FUTURE GENERATION FROM BULLYING NOW!
www.travisandpresley.com
Does your child get bullied in school? Do you wish there was something you could do to make your child feel more confident? Well, we can help!
A prominent cable television show is now casting in New York City and the surrounding Tri-state area. We are currently looking for a family where a child has been bullied in school. We want to work with you to boost your child's self confidence and help them live a more enjoyable life.
Please email us your story.
joep@sharpentertainment.com
I am dealing with this with my son right now and it is terrible. You feel helpless as a parent and are unsure which route to take because you don't want to make it worse. This scares me that he could be that upset to take his life. Very frightening.
I live in Cincinnati I just put my 4 yr. old in a pre-school program at our local school district. He has some medical issues and so far the teachers and all his school mates are a blessing for us. BUT if the person that wants to try and get that PATH program started I would be willing to help out here in Cincy. just let me know. maybe our junior high kids could use it. I have a bully that lives up the street from us and he bullies just to try and fit it. Its a shame that these kids feel the need to punish other kids because something going wrong in their lives. Maybe their home life isnt the best. Still no reason to bully so if you need help let me know.
Here's to the kids who are different;
the kids who don't always get A's,
the kids who have ears
twice the size of their peer's
or noses that go on for days.
Here's to the kids who are different,
the kids who are just out of step,
the kids they all tease,
who have cuts on their knees
and whose sneakers are constantly wet.
Here's to the kids who are different,
the kids with a mischievous streak,
for when they have grown,
as history has shown,
its their difference that makes them unique.
The Goldie Hawn TV Special (1978)
Ellen, I bet you were one of these kids as I was. You are a Special Lady and I pray that children who are being bullied or abused in any way have an Angel watching over them. peace.
I too was a victim of bullying. I was bullied from primary 5 till secondary 5.(this is in Singapore) I cried alot during those times. Violence was the only way to stop the bullying because that was the only way to defend myself, to stop the bullying from continuing that day. The bullies would bullied me was cowards to the very core. Because they bullied me in a group, violence was the only way to keep them away from me, to stop them from making me miserable. I never hit anyone, but just by getting angry and attempting to hit back would scare them away. It would stop, but in the end, it always happened again, either the next day or the day after. I know that violence is not a good option but it was the only way for me at that time to stop the bullying from happening.
Ellen, I think that you did a great thing by bringing Sirdeaner Walker onto the show and I admire her for not being angry and her committment to stopping bullying and I think it is great thing. The fact that you mentioned about having a class every week, once per week about compassion is a big thing and I hope that it would materialise one day. Hopefully, kids would be able to escape the world of bullying and have a better childhood. As for the bullies, I feel no remorse for such people but I feel that they do it(bullying) because they want to take out the stress that they are feeling. Another thing is peer pressure. Because of peer pressure they are pressurised to do it to be in the 'in crowd'. But once they start, it never ends.
Bullying also causes the victims to have low self esteem and because they appear so timid, they end up being bullied more. They end up being bullied by others whom they meet later in life.
This happened to me. 2 years have passed since I was bullied because I am now living in a better environment, know better people, and have good fiends. I regained my confidence, and it felt like I was reborn again.
Ellen, you are an inspiration for many people in the world. The things that you do changes the lives of many people all over the world. Your show is one where I never fail to watch whenever I have time to, and I enjoy every moment of it.
Lastly, I think that you did what you could and you certainly did the best you could for Sirdeaner Walker, even if it was only a bit. My heart goes out to her and to her deceased child and I hope that the problem of bullying would lessen and eventually die off in the future. Hopefully, Sirdeaner's quest to stop bullying also takes flight and hopefully she and her quest would be able to help the girl whom she is trying to protect from bullying be protected.
You know what?I too have been bullied many years ago.If you looked back on it you would have a funny feeling inside of you telling yourself why you did not stand up to the bullies but if you were caught in that situation at that time you would feel helpless,there is where the teachers,school principal,parents and your real friends come in.And last of all there are many forms of bullying be it cyber bullying or physical both are as bad.
Hi. My name is Katelyn and I am 11 years old. My mom recorded Ellen and when I watched it the whole time I was thinking YES. People at school call me a b.... daily and I want it to stop. I have at least 10 boys and with the girls not so much but theres probably 3. I need help. Its mostly verbal not physical. But there has been a few times where other boys start full out punching kicking fighting. Lukily Ive never gotten physically hurt. I would come home in tears and it got to the point to where I didnt want to talk to any body, not even my parents. I know it happens everywhere but at my school it was HORRIBLE!!!I hoping next year when I go to a different school than everybody else it will change. Im in the 6th grade going into 7th and I feel hopeless.I hope you can get a program like P.A.T.H. into schools so younger kids dont have to go what I went through. My mom works at a preschool and when I hope those 2 and 3 year olds I pray they dont suffer in elementary school. My whole family would love to help with ANYTHING we can to stop the bullying. I love your show!
Katelyn Etchison
San Gabriel School
Atascadero CA
93422
Ellen said she wished there was a class in school to teach children about the horrors of bullying. I have been trying to get a class started, exactly like that, for the last 6 or 7 years.
When the Columbine shootings happened, it seemed everytime I turned the news on a child somewhere was killing someone. Stories like this 11 year old committing suicide still affect me.
This class would be called "P.A.T.H." I wanted it to be available for all children in school from 7 years old through graduation. There are so many things that children go through, at each stage in life, (not only bullying) but they don't have a clue how to deal with most of it. I want P.A.T.H to be there when they are at the end of their rope before they turn to drugs, gangs or even suicide.
I have sent my idea, in full, to Senator John McCain, the AZ Governor at the time, Oprah and every school in one of the Phoenix school districts, couldn't get it started though. I have been passionate about this class for a long time and if Ellen is as passionate as she seemed to be, maybe we can make this a reality instead of just a wish or a dream. Having this class in school, just one day a week, would be all we need. No more children need to take their lives by suicide, drugs, alcohol, or anything else that takes away their innocence. Someone help to get this started. I am not a teacher so I only have the idea and don't have a clue where to go from here. Do I go to the White House!!!
My daughter was bullied so bad in school in Cleveland, Ohio, from second grade on up. The teachers and principals just didn't care and did nothing about it. Needless to say my daughter quit school(she got knocked down on the floor the first day of 12 grade) They ruined her self esteem and I had to watch her cry on a daily basis. This killed me as a mom. Thanks for the show, it was too late for my daughter but maybe it wasn't for someone elses child.
Thank you for the show on bullying.I am so sorry for the little boy that took his own life due to bullying. I to was bullied many years ago. Could not tell my mom due to being embarressed of the teasing. Everyday the kids would tease. Yes I was different because we were poor. There were times I would be up all night just worrying about the next day at school. The school was aware of what was happening but they just shut their eyes. The teasing went right on when I would go to church. I felt so alone. You could tell in my grades at the beginning of a new year it would be a glimmer of hope because just maybe the teasing would not happen. My grades would be good at the beginning of the new year and at the end well I just barely passed. I did graduate high school. When people ask me where I graduated from I lie and say another school in the same county for fear that I would be recongnized. I never attend the class reuion usually I do not even get invited. Yes there was a time when I looked at my grandmothers heart pills and almost took them instead I did the aspirin. I think a class on compassion is a great idea. Make people aware!!! Teasing is horrible !!!!!!!!!!
**continued** I said excuse me to the child cussing and he looked at me. I said do you see me standing here and you are talking like that??? He did apoligize. While I was sitting in the classrooms I also saw how teachers present the lesson and those who want to learn are taught and the others are just pushed to the side, hopefully long enough that a lesson can be presented. The teachers hands are tied in the classroom as well as in the hallways. Most forms of punishment have been done away with. We also have the phones and computers to blame for alot of this. How do we stop this??? We are loosing to many of our children. They are children and becoming adults with no compassion or morals. We should all be screaming for change to save our children. HOW?
My middle school child was having problems with grades at school. When I talked to the teachers it was clear that being to social and choosing to not do homework was an issue. I took a day of vacation and went to school with him. We wore matching light blue sweaters and I made him hold my hand walking down the hallways. I sat next to him and hugged and kissed him. His friends and teachers loved us and ask me to come back again. We never had a problem with homework again.***Here is my point....from when I was in middle school almost 30 years ago, things have changed. There is such a lack of respect for teachers, for adults, for other children. There was a child standing at his locker with me standing there cussing.****continue****
Boy could I relate to what her son went through. Starting in 3rd grade I had just moved to a new school. There was a boy in my class that always bullied me (mentally & physically). I would tell my Mom, and as most of you who were bullied back in the old days, she would say to just ignore him and he'd quit. Well he didn't. One time, I got away from him after school and my little sister was coming out the door of the school so he beat her up instead. About 3-4 years later she had his Mom as a Girl Scout Leader and she told her about how he was treating us. I guess he really got in trouble because the physical abuse quit, but he would still say things to others about me and call me names. The sad part of all this is that when I saw him at our 20th reunion he was still a jerk and acted like he was still in grade school. The good part of it was I managed to get through this and became a defender to anyone I saw being picked on or bullied.
I recently posted a blog on myspace about thhis very thing. It started out over school cafeteria staff humiliating some select children for not having money for lunch at summer school so they decided to make them sit away from the paying children and gave them dried up sandwiches for their lunch. I continued to rant a bit about one of the other problems I have with people thinking that because they have money that it gives them the right to pick on less fortunate people. I even dedicated it to all of the children and adults that have been critisized and ridiculed for not wearing the right clothes and coming from the wrong neighborhood. I think it shows the worst kind of judgement ever to think that this is right and it makes you better. My heart goes out to all that have suffered from this. Love Wendy
I cried when I heard the news.I can relate to what he went through.I was teased and bullied so much that many days I did not go to school.
I volunteer alot at my sons school and the picking gets meaner every year. I worry for him becuase he is sensitive and this year he has started fighting back. Now if the bullies talk him into it he will pick on others I hate that he will follow them just to avoid thier wrath. I really am frustrated and have no idea what to do. The teachers act as if they just can not take it any more. They act defeated and the principal does not even seem to listen the guidance counselor is fantastic if not for him I would have pulled him out of school long ago. I guess just do not give up get involved and look until you find someone at your school who cares.
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I would like to know what to do when you are apart of this ongoing problem? When you are the bully and you still do it? Is it for material? God knows I can't be that funny. Or maybe because I am Christian, not equal, Unfortunate, LATIN, Lower class, I don't have net worth like those who torture me. Therefore I am powerless against my attackers. What could you possibly want with me besides to humiliate me?
Do you want to drive someone to the crazy house, is that your goal. Or maybe commit suicide? Is it fun to mentally torture someone to death? How many join in on this disturbing behavior? I see how you embarrass your guest after a certain point of them not saying whatever it is to mock.
When you are afraid, scared and alone with no one to tell or help than what? They might say that your mind is wondering and playing tricks. Then one wonders hey wait a minute TOO many incidents have happened that I know are not coincidental. Shall I go on. Is there a protect your LIFE from bully's guide?
Actions speak louder than words.
This is directed to the show and staff members.
I will push the subject at hand till proper action is taking.
How many more mothers and fathers need to lose their only miracle in life?
Posted by Thishastostop | November 19, 2010 6:30 PM