By Matt Buie (FSWC Educator)

In 2007, little did students in a small Nova Scotia town know that their small act of kindness would inspire a modern-day movement celebrated across the world today: Pink Shirt Day. Here’s how it began according to the Globe and Mail:

“A group of teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. It all began when a group of teens went to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. The bullies were never heard from again.”

After learning of this protest, CKNW Kid’s Fund and the Boy & Girls Club raised funds to support anti-bullying programs. The iniative continued to grow and grow each year until it blossomed into the movement it is today.

Falling on the last Wednesday of February of every year, Pink Shirt Day spreads awareness against bullying. Bullying is defined as a form of aggression where there is a power imbalance. The intent behind the aggression is to make the victim feel afraid and isolated. Bullying can range from physical behaviour such as hitting or damaging property to verbal and social bullying, such as mocking or spreading rumours. Bullying is a widespread problem in schools, workplaces and online.

According to data from the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth from 2019, 59% of youths aged 15 to 17 years had been made fun of or insulted and that 70% had experienced a form of bullying at some point. The survey also stated that 77% of sexually and gender diverse youth had been the target of bullying.

There are many resources for students and teachers, such as this bullying prevention in schools guide for teachers, and a school resource guide from the Canadian Red Cross for students. This Pink Shirt Day, empower your students to recognize bullying and how to stand up for others.

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