International Stand Up to Bullying Day

When:
🗓️ Last Friday in February, Third Friday in November

Since:
🥂 2008

Created by: David Shepherd, Travis Price

Bullying is like a bad joke – it’s only funny to the bully, and no one else. 🌸

Stand tall, stand pink, stand proud!

Imagine a world where children and adults alike feel safe, respected, and valued. An utopia where the air is filled with laughter, not fear. Where differences are celebrated, not ridiculed and petty intolerance is nothing more than a relic of the past.
Ready to step into this world?
International Stand Up to Bullying Day dreams of a place where no one glances over their shoulder, anxious about being bullied.
It’s a day to raise awareness about bullying, its harmful effects and what we can all do to prevent it.

Bullies, beware for your reign of terror is over. We’re taking a stand!
In ….Pink?

Decoding Bullying: The Art of Torment

Bullying isn’t just a schoolyard scuffle of scruffy scoundrels. It’s basic power play with real-life consequences.
Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Which can take many forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, and cyber-bullying.

Bullies are often portrayed as tough, intimidating figures, but the truth is, they’re cowards.
Bullies thrive on targeting what they perceive as easy prey, armed with excuses that crumble under the weight of their inexcusable actions.
They prey on the vulnerable and those who are different. Bullies use their power to hurt others, tearing them down and making them feel worthless.
Whether it’s physical, verbal, or cyber, bullying leaves scars that linger and reputations that are needlessly ruined forever.
It’s not a passing joke, but it’s a sustained effort to belittle, intimidate, and control.
Understanding bullying starts with recognizing it as a deliberate, harmful act that undermines the very essence of a safe and supportive community.

The Origins of International Stand Up to Bullying Day

The tale begins in 2007, in a high school where a student faced bullying for wearing a pink polo shirt.
Instead of accepting this injustice, two fellow students David and Travis, armed with discounted pink shirts, sparked a “sea of pink” protest, and the school’s halls were awash with a tidal wave of pink.
The news spread like wildfire, and the “Sea of Pink” phenomenon was born, marking the inception of International Stand Up to Bullying Day. Shepherd and Price launched a website and social media campaign to spread awareness about bullying and encourage people to take a stand against it.
In 2008, they created International STAND UP to Bullying Day, a semi-annual event where people worldwide sign and don pink “pledge shirts” to take a visible stance against bullying.
Blue meanies hate a rosy rebellion!

A Sea of Pink

International STAND UP to Bullying Day invites the world to don the iconic pink “pledge shirt” and take a stand against bullying.
From schools to workplaces, over 25 countries join the global movement on the third Friday of November and the last Friday of February.
It’s not just a shirt; it’s a protest against petty intolerance.

It’s easy to say that we should stand up to bullies, but when it comes down to it, it can be harder than it sounds.
We may be afraid of retaliation, isolation or we may just not know how to intervene effectively.
But we should remember that bullies thrive on fear and insecurities.
You are not alone and your support can make other people feel stronger.
Every time you support victims of bullying, you take away a bit of power away from the bullies.
Find people who are also tired of being a bystander and take a stand for kindness.
Silence fuels bullies, so your voice is their kryptonite!

Debunking the Tales We Tell Ourselves

There are many misconceptions about bullying, some of which can actually make the problem worse.

Myth: “Bullying is only a problem in schools.”
Fact: Bullying can happen anywhere, including at home, in the workplace and now also online.

Myth: “Victims of bullying should just ignore it and it will go away.”
Reality: Ignoring bullying can make it worse. Victims should be able to tell trusted adults about what is happening.

Myth: “ Bullying toughens you up”
Fact: Bullying damages your psyche and builds misery. It’s like a crash diet for your self-esteem, leaving you emotionally malnourished.

Myth: “Bullies are always bigger and stronger than their victims.”
Reality: Bullies often target victims who they perceive as being weaker or more vulnerable. They often rally others to help them overwhelm their victim.

Myth: “It’s just teasing, no harm done.“
Fact: Teasing is when friends poke fun. Bullying is when foes pierce your joy with relentless mockery. If it hurts, it’s not just teasing, it’s bullying.

Myth: “Bullies are just misunderstood sweethearts.”
Reality: Bullies are not cuddly misfits. They’re predators out to kick others down so they themselves can feel bigger. Bullies thrive on power, not on empathy.

Myth: “Bullying is a fleeting phase.”
Fact: Sorry, no expiration date. Bullying leaves scars that defy the sands of time. It’s not a phase; it’s a societal flaw we need to fix.

Myth: “Bullies are just insecure.”
Reality: Bullies may have their issues, but it doesn’t excuse their harmful actions.

Myth: “Boys will be boys.”
Fact: Excusing harmful behavior perpetuates a toxic cycle.

Myth: “Think cyberbullies are just keyboard warriors”
Reality: Behind the screen, real people feel real pain. Next time someone downplays cyber-bullying, remind them that the scars might not be visible, but they’re just as deep.

Join The Pink Posse

Here are a few ideas for how to celebrate International Stand Up to Bullying Day:

Pink Power Dressing:
Roll out of bed in a rosy ensemble and declare your commitment to a bully-free world. The brighter, the bolder.
Bonus points if it’s the official pink “pledge shirt”.
DIY Pink Capes:
Express your inner superhero and craft a pink cape.
Standing up to bullying is the ultimate caped crusade against the blue meanies!
Bully-Proof Your Social Media:
Unfollow negativity, mute the trolls and create a digital space that’s a haven, not a battleground.
Random Acts of Pinkness:
Surprise someone with a pink treat or a small act of kindness.
Bullies can’t thrive in a garden of goodwill.
Pink Picnic:
Gather your friends for a pink-themed picnic where everyone brings their favorite rosy-hued dish.
Food tastes better when it’s served with kindness.
Anti-Bullying Playlist:
Craft a playlist filled with empowering tunest and share it with friends.
Dance away the negativity. Together
Snap Your Pink Moment:
Show off your pink ensemble and let the world know you stand against bullying using the hashtags #InternationalStandUpToBullyingDay and #StopBullying.
Stand up, speak out and be the anti-bully anthem.

Be a hero, not a bystander

Bullying, the unwelcome chapter in the book of human interaction, deserves a rewrite.
Let’s redefine power dynamics, don’t be a spectator in the bullying circus but become the lion-tamer and end the show!
And if anyone asks you why you’re celebrating International Stand Up to Bullying Day in shiny pink armor armed with a pink “stop” sign, just tell them Wild Calendar gave you permission and invite them to the pink party, where kindness rules and bullies drool.
Bullies thrive on power and fear.
Let’s take away their power by standing up to them.

Happy International Stand Up to Bullying Day!

“Schools should be places of learning and joy,
not testing and agita.”
— Randi Weingarten