Bullies have a way of making their victims feel small – but at a recent high school rally, those against bullying made their voices huge.
Schools across the five boroughs participated in Respect for All Week, but none seemed as loud and as unified as William Cullen Bryant High School in Long Island City during their rally on Thursday, February 17.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn – along with Bryant alum Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer – met with members of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), the leadership group and the mediation team to talk about challenges facing youths in school.
Quinn said that meeting with the different student groups is the best way possible to learn about problems that children face every day in school. And learning from students helps city leaders to provide a safe learning environment, something Quinn believes every student deserves.
“We have a responsibility to provide every student in New York City with a safe and inclusive learning environment,” said Quinn, who, along with Van Bramer, was given a sweatshirt with the school’s mascot on the front. “Teaching our students to embrace diversity is essential to preventing hate among future generations. This week is part of our long-term effort to make this subject matter part of our school culture.”
After meeting with students, Quinn and Van Bramer were treated to a student-produced film about bullying in the school’s packed auditorium. Both Quinn and Van Bramer know all too well about the negative impact of bullying on students of all ages – both are openly gay, but didn’t come out in high school for fear of reprisal.
Today’s world is a lot different, according to Van Bramer. High School kids are far more vocal about their orientations and are, for the most part, much more supportive of each other.
“I was in the closest in high school and I was bullied. My days in high school would have been so much better if had these programs,” said Van Bramer, who graduated in 1987. “I’m very proud of these students. It takes immense courage to stand up on stage and display who they are.”
During Respect for All Week, students citywide take part in a broad range of activities and special programs, such as school-wide presentations, performances and art projects, interactive classroom workshops, peer education and student-led poster campaigns.
According to Van Bramer, real change happens when students work together to better their own learning environment.
“Peer-to-peer discussions can be very meaningful,” he said. “Talk is the first thing kids do. They respond to each other more than they do to adults.”
