Editorial: Think pink on February 23

In a perfect world, Pink Shirt Day (Wednesday, February 23), which is also known as Anti-Bullying Day in Canada, would not be necessary.

But 15 years after its inception, we still need Pink Shirt Day. Wearing pink to stand up against bullying plays an important role in bringing recognition to what victims go through and encouraging peers to step up and speak up when they witness any form of it.

Bullying can include targeted, in-person verbal or physical attacks, intentionally excluding someone from a group, or online attacks. Cyberbullying can involve directing derogatory or demeaning comments at someone, or spreading untrue rumours about the victim.

Anti-Bullying Day originated with two high school students in Nova Scotia in 2007. They stood up for a classmate, who was bullied after he wore a pink shirt to school, by buying and distributing 50 pink shirts to other students to wear the next day.

David Shepherd and Travis Price created the initiative to show support for the bullied student and to take a stand against bullying.

The campaign spread. Hundreds of students ended up wearing pink clothes in widespread support, and the rest is history. Anti-Bullying Day is celebrated around the world, and was formally recognized by the United Nations in 2012.

Bullying takes place beyond the schoolyard and through all stages of life. Children, teens, adults and seniors can be affected. Whenever and wherever it exists, innocent people suffer.

Bullies grow up, find jobs and have families. Some bully their spouses or significant others, and/or their children, parents and neighbours. Their actions can spread farther and target co-workers, employees, their children’s coaches or teachers, referees, judges or officials at sporting or cultural events, and in parking lots or city streets in the form of road rage.

Wearing pink may not seem like much, but it helps raise awareness so everyone can learn more about the effects of bullying, of which no one deserves to be on the receiving end.

We need Pink Shirt Day as a reminder to send firm, non-confrontational messages to bullies all year, every day, that intentionally cruel and aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated, and to let victims know we are present and willing to help.

Do you have something pink to wear on Wednesday?