Bully Prevention Rally [VIDEO]

Did you get beat up today?

'No.'

Did anyone beat you up today?

'No.'

You turn the key to the mini-van or car, check the rear view mirror and start on your way to practice, to lessons, or for something for supper on the way home.

And on your way there, you glimpse back at your child and wonder.  Wonder if what they said, was really true. You look again.  Then again.

Most everyone, has either mistreated, or been mistreated. When I was a kid, we called it growing up or toughing up. Today they have a term for it.  Bullying.  And yes it may be a part of human nature, but that doesn't make it right. Yes it probably dates back to 'cave man times.' but that doesn't mean we have to live that way today.

We hear about bullying all the time. The problem is, many times we hear about it too late.  We hear when some kid, somewhere has had enough and can't take it anymore and takes it out on others, or take it out on themselves.

Many people live through it. They get through it.  They survive.  Some don't.

Most put up a shield and forget about it and move on.  Some can't.

Some claim they've 'never bullied,' or 'never were bullied,'  Not true.  Bottom line, we all have.

Don't believe me?  Watch this video.

So, what do you think?  Start a conversation at home.  Start by 'listening to your words,' then listen to your kids words and 'watch while you listen.'

Consider this post a start.  A start to a series of better understanding the bully and better understanding the bullier.  Consider this a start to seeking, more of what we have in common, rather than pointing out the quick and obvious.

Bully Prevention Rally - Sioux Falls Convention Center Saturday March 2, 2013

Doors open at 3 so kids can design the own bully Prevention shirt. Rally starts at 3:30 and ends at 4:30.

Miss South Dakota International will be speaking about bullying prevention and a school resource officer will speak and answer any questions.

Cost is $5 per person and 10 and younger are free. All proceeds stay in the Sioux Falls area for bully prevention education.

After putting all this together, I had a song keep running round in my head.  I think it fits pretty good!

Can we meet on common ground
Are our views so far apart
That there's no room to be found

Can we speak without a sound
Of a world gone quite insane
Can we start settling down

I'll not play the scene
Where the threats start flying
You'll not have to scream
Cause we're not that stupid

Can we meet on common ground

Can we meet on common ground
Are your walls all brick and stone
And far from tumbling down

Can we seat ourselves around
A table for awhile and talk
Like friends we have found

Well, all that's plain to see
While the brats start blighing
You'll not have to dream
Of a peaceful oneday

Can we meet on common ground
Tell me, tell me, tell me
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa

Can we meet on common ground
Are our views so far apart
That there's no room to be found

Can we speak without a sound
Of a world gone quite insane
Can we start settling down, yeah

I'll not play the scene
Where the threats start flying
You'll not have to scream
Cause we're not that stupid

Whoa, can we meet on common ground
Can we meet on common ground
Can we meet on common ground
Tell me, can we meet on common ground