It’s easy to follow the crowd, to blend in. Saying nothing when you know something is wrong is submitting to a passive type of peer pressure. You know if there's something wrong going on, but if you do nothing and just follow along with the rest of the crowd, you become as guilty as the one in the wrong. You become an accomplice of the bully. It takes real courage to do what is right. It takes courage to stand up for someone that you may not know (or even like). But that’s what Upstanders do. Be a leader, not a follower. Lead by your example and help stop others from being bullied.
What is an Upstander?
1. A person who stands up for their beliefs.
2. A person who does what is right, even if they are alone.
3. A person who is not a bystander.
Sound familiar? It should. These are all basic tenants of martial arts and of Good American Bojutsu. Our students don’t just talk about building themselves mentally and physically, They strive to do it each day.
What are the characteristics of an Upstander?
Respect
Discipline
Confidence
Honor
Character
Self-Esteem
Leadership
Control
Concentration
4 TYPES OF BULLYING
PHYSICAL
Hitting, kicking, slapping, pinching
Spitting
Tripping, pushing
Stealing or destroying someone’s property
Making mean or rude hand gestures
VERBAL
Name calling
Insults
Teasing
Intimidation
Inappropriate comments
Taunting
Threatening to cause harm
SOCIAL
Lying & spreading rumors
Leaving someone out on purpose
Telling others not to be friends with someone
Embarrassing someone in public
Damaging someone’s social reputation or relationships
CYBER
Posting or sending hurtful texts, emails, post, images or videos
Making online threats
Imitating others online or using their log-in
Deliberately excluding others online
Spreading nasty gossip or rumors
