Former Monroe County
School Superintendent John Padget was pressing me to review a new documentary
that he’s very excited about. No, he wasn’t bullying me, for John’s against
that. In fact, that’s the whole point of the film.
Titled “Bully,” the doc delivers
a powerful message about bullying. “Uniquely, the director puts the
focus on the victims,” notes John Padget. “This film empowers the
victims. I’d ask any victims in our community – and I know some of them –
to see this film and then write thoughtful letters to the editor, continuing
the conversation. Let’s shame and outlaw bullying, once and
for all.”
Well
said.
Originally
called “The Bully Project,” this documentary follows five students who faced
bullying on a daily basis. These students attend schools in Georgia, Texas,
Mississippi, Iowa, and Oklahoma. Particular focus is put on Tyler Long and Ty
Smalley, two youngsters who committed suicide to escape bullying.
The
film’s director was himself a victim of bullying while in school. Lee Hirsch
says, “I felt that the hardest part of being bullied was communicating. And
getting help. I couldn’t enroll people’s support. People would say things like
‘get over it,’ even my own father and mother. They weren’t with me. That was a
big part of my wanting to make the film. It’s cathartic.”
“My
hope is that hundreds of aware students will join hands and see this
film together,” says John Padget, a member of Florida’s state board of
education. “Other students may decide to take their parents, and open the
conversation within their family and social circles.”
To
encourage that, he’s helping defray the cost of a movie ticket, only $3 to
students and members of the educational community (with ID). “This is a film
for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and citizens of all ages.
I’m proud to help underwrite the documentary, bringing it to Key West and
the Florida Keys.”
Hirsch
agrees. “I want this to be a grassroots movement so that the local cities can
get behind this movie and support it. This is a great way for people to get
involved on social media to help raise awareness.”
With
news reports of a student dying from hazing on a band bus to presidential
candidates accused of shearing a gay student’s hair, this is a needed dialogue.
“This film’s timely arrival contributes to America’s conversation about bullying,”
says Padget. “Bullying is not cool!”
srhoades@aol.com
1 comment:
sorry I missed this. Just saw about it online. my bad
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